Call it a paradox: Honda just officially confirmed the third-generation Ridgeline — and in the same breath announced it's temporarily halting production altogether. The current pickup will be pulled from the line later in 2026, and a completely new truck won't reach the market until “within two years.” If the debut lands in 2028, the current generation will have run for nearly 12 years — a long stretch even by Honda's conservative standards.
Of the future Ridgeline's looks, only a silhouette has been revealed so far, but the direction is easy to read: the hood and front end are going noticeably more vertical, the body more angular and squared off. Honda isn't shy about it either, promising “an even more rugged design and capability.” The geography behind the project is its own story: styling happens in Southern California, engineering is being finalized in Ohio, and assembly will once again take place at the plant in Alabama — the same one that built previous generations.
The biggest question mark sits under the hood, and Honda isn't talking yet. The automaker hasn't confirmed a hybrid, nor has it confirmed the current gas V6 will carry over, so every report of a new hybrid setup remains speculation for now. Today's Ridgeline runs a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 rated at 280 horsepower, paired with a nine-speed automatic and i-VTM4 all-wheel drive.
Maximum towing capacity sits at 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs). And that's where the truck's oldest argument lives: the Ridgeline is built on a car-based unibody platform, while the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado all stick with traditional body-on-frame construction. For some, that's the whole appeal — car-like comfort and handling. For others, it's the dealbreaker that's kept the truck from ever feeling like a real one.
Honda hasn't said anything about changing the architecture, so don't get ahead of the story — there's no confirmation the third generation goes body-on-frame. The current Ridgeline starts at $40,795 in the US.
