Some trucks are built to impress other truck owners.
The Honda Ridgeline feels like it was built to make real life easier.
Daryl Killian
I found that out again when the Ridgeline ended up on my wife’s to-do list during a week of lawn preparation at home. The plan was simple. I needed to pick up my riding mower from the local repair shop, take it to my sister-in-law’s house, and help get her lawn back in shape.
Since I already had the 2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport in the driveway, I decided to turn a family chore into a real-world towing test.
This wasn’t a press event; this was a normal homeowner day with a rented trailer, lawn equipment, soil, sand, errands, and a little family responsibility mixed in.
In other words, it was exactly the kind of work most people actually need a truck to do.
The Real-Life Towing Test
I rented a 5x8 open utility trailer from Home Depot for the day. The rental was a reasonable $55, and the trailer was the right size for what I needed to move.
The trailer itself weighs about 500 pounds, and utility trailers in this size range typically have a load capacity of roughly 1,400 to 1,500 pounds.
Daryl Killian
Daryl Killian
My riding mower likely added another 400 to 600 pounds, depending on the exact model. I also brought along my 32-inch push mower for good measure, plus about 120 pounds of sand-and-soil mix from Super Sod.
This was the kind of towing a lot of homeowners do a few times a year.
And honestly, this is where the Ridgeline makes a lot of sense.
The average homeowner doesn’t need a heavy-duty pickup to pick up a mower, grab mulch, haul bags of soil, move furniture, tow a small trailer, or handle a few do-it-yourself projects each year.
For that person, the Ridgeline is more than enough truck.
No Tow Mode, But Sport Mode Worked
One thing to know about the Ridgeline is that there isn’t a dedicated tow mode.
Some traditional trucks have one, but the Ridgeline doesn’t. Honda recommends using Sport mode when you want the transmission to hold gears a little longer for better acceleration and braking.
That’s what I did, and it worked exactly the way I hoped it would.
The Ridgeline handled the trailer, riding mower, push mower, and extra lawn supplies without drama. It never felt like it was struggling. It never felt confused. It didn’t feel like the transmission was hunting for the right gear, and it didn’t feel like the truck was working outside of its comfort zone.
The whole setup felt smooth and controlled. The Ridgeline didn’t make a big production out of doing the job; it just did it.
The Ridgeline Is More Truck Than Some People Think
The 2026 Ridgeline comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It also has a 9-speed automatic transmission, paddle shifters, and Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system.
Daryl Killian
That combination gives it enough strength for weekend projects while still retaining the smooth driving personality that sets this truck apart from most midsize pickups.
A lot of trucks can tow.
A lot of trucks can haul.
Not all of them are pleasant to drive every day.
It feels like Honda asked a practical question. What if somebody needs truck capability on Saturday, but still wants comfort, easy parking, and good road manners on Monday?
That’s exactly the kind of person this truck is for.
After the lawn work was done, I still had a truck that was easy to drive around town. It was easy to park. It was easy to live with in traffic. I didn’t feel like I was dragging around more truck than I needed.
The Bed Features Still Set It Apart
We proved a couple of years ago that the Ridgeline could handle real homeowner work. I used a Ridgeline for a Home Depot mulch run by the pallet, and that test showed how useful the bed, payload capacity, and overall design can be.
You can read that earlier review and see the video here: 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport review
The Ridgeline’s Dual Action Tailgate and lockable in-Bed Trunk are still two of the smartest features in the truck world.
The tailgate opens down like a traditional truck tailgate, but it also swings open from the side. Once you use that side opening to load, unload, or reach into the bed, you understand why Honda keeps building it that way.
Daryl Killian
Daryl Killian
The in-Bed Trunk is just as useful.
It gives you secure storage under the bed floor for tools, straps, muddy gear, groceries, small equipment, or anything else you want to keep out of sight. It can also work as a cooler when you need it to.
Daryl Killian
TrailSport Gives It the Right Personality
The TrailSport trim adds a little more attitude without ruining the everyday comfort.
It brings all-terrain tires, an off-road tuned suspension, steel underbody protection, TrailSport styling, orange interior stitching, all-season floor mats, and a more rugged personality.
Daryl Killian
The Ridgeline’s biggest challenge has never been whether it’s useful.
The bigger issue has always been perception.
Some truck buyers dismiss it because it doesn’t look or feel like a traditional pickup. But that’s also why it works so well for people who don’t want to drive a traditional pickup every day.
The TrailSport helps close that gap.
It looks tougher, but it still drives like a Honda.
Interior Comfort Matters
Inside, the newer Ridgeline feels more current than before.
Daryl Killian
The 7-inch digital instrument cluster provides a cleaner display, and the 9-inch touchscreen adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the daily routine.
Daryl Killian
The center console has also been improved with better storage and a larger armrest.
Daryl Killian
Those details may sound small, but they matter when you live with a vehicle every day.
Storage matters.
Phone space matters.
Cupholders matter.
A comfortable armrest matters.
The Ridgeline also has one of the more comfortable rear seats in the pickup segment. For buyers who need a truck that also works for family duty, that’s a bigger deal than some people realize.
Daryl Killian
This is where Honda understood the assignment.
2026 Honda Ridgeline Buyer’s Guide
2026 Honda Ridgeline Shopping Tools
Best Value: Sport
Starting MSRP: $40,795
Why Buy:
The Sport gives you the Ridgeline’s core capability at the lowest price. You still get the 280-horsepower V6, 9-speed automatic transmission, standard iVTM4 all-wheel drive, 5,000-pound towing capacity, Dual Action Tailgate, In Bed Trunk, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto.
This is the smart entry point if you want the usefulness of the Ridgeline without paying for extra luxury features.
Best Overall: RTL
Starting MSRP: $43,595
Why Buy:
The RTL adds the comfort features most people will use every day. That includes leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, power front seats, a moonroof, blind spot information, a rear cross-traffic monitor, and a power sliding rear window.
For most buyers, this is probably the best balance of price, comfort, and usefulness.
Best Lifestyle Model: TrailSport
Starting MSRP: $45,995
Why Buy:
The TrailSport adds all-terrain tires, an off-road-tuned suspension, steel underbody protection, rugged styling, orange interior accents, a heated steering wheel, and all-season floor mats.
This is the one I tested, and it’s the version I’d choose. It gives the Ridgeline more personality without taking away the smooth ride and easy daily driving feel.
Best Appearance Upgrade: TrailSport With HPD Wheels
Starting MSRP: $47,195
Why Buy:
This trim retains the TrailSport equipment and adds the HPD wheel upgrade for buyers seeking a more factory-like appearance.
This is mainly a style upgrade. The regular TrailSport already gives most buyers the capability and attitude they need.
Best Luxury Model: Black Edition
Starting MSRP: $47,395
Why Buy:
The Black Edition adds navigation, front and rear parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, upgraded audio, memory driver seat, ambient lighting, and black exterior accents.
This is the Ridgeline for buyers who want more comfort and more premium features.
Best Style Model: Black Edition Two Tone
Starting MSRP: $47,895
Why Buy:
The Black Edition Two Tone adds a more distinctive factory look to the top Ridgeline trim.
I’d only move here if the appearance package really matters to you.
Ridgeline vs. Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz, And Toyota Tacoma
The Ridgeline is technically a midsize pickup, but many shoppers will compare it to smaller lifestyle trucks like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.
That makes sense because all three appeal to people who want truck usefulness without moving all the way into a full-size pickup.
The Toyota Tacoma also belongs in the conversation because it’s one of the most important traditional midsize truck alternatives.
Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick is the better choice if your top priorities are price, fuel economy, and easy city driving.
It’s smaller, less expensive, and easier to place in tight spaces. When equipped with its available tow package, it can tow up to 4,000 pounds, which is enough for many light-duty owners.
The Ridgeline feels like the more grown-up truck.
It has more power, more standard capability, a larger cabin feel, a more substantial road presence, and a 5,000-pound tow rating across the lineup.
If you’re only doing very light truck tasks, the Maverick may be enough.
If you want more comfort, more standard power, and more weekend project confidence, the Ridgeline makes more sense.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is the more stylish and urban choice.
It feels more like a sporty compact crossover with an open bed than a traditional pickup. With the turbo engine, it’s quick, fun, and capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
The Ridgeline is the more practical family truck.
It gives you a standard V6, standard all-wheel drive, greater bed utility, and the clever Dual Action Tailgate and In-Bed Trunk.
If you want style and city personality, look at the Santa Cruz.
If you want a truck that feels more useful for homeowner duty, the Ridgeline is the better fit.
Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is the more traditional truck.
It has a tougher image, more off-road-focused trims, available hybrid power, and a higher maximum towing rating when properly equipped.
If you tow more often, go off-road more seriously, or simply want the feel of a more conventional pickup, the Tacoma deserves a serious look.
The Ridgeline answers a different question.
It’s not trying to be the toughest truck in the parking lot.
It’s trying to be the truck that fits into real life with fewer compromises.
It rides better, drives smoother, and feels easier to live with every day.
The Production Pause Question
There is also a bigger Ridgeline question hanging over this truck.
According to Automotive News reporting, Honda is expected to pause Ridgeline production at its Lincoln, Alabama, plant for about 18 months. The reported pause would begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a heavily refreshed model expected to return in the third quarter of 2028.
If that report proves accurate, it creates an interesting situation for shoppers.
The Ridgeline may be heading into one of its most important buying windows right before production takes a break.
Buyers who already understand what the Ridgeline does well may want to monitor inventory before the pause begins.
I cannot confirm what dealers will do regarding pricing or availability, but whenever production slows or stops, inventory can become part of the buying conversation.
The pause also makes me wonder what Honda has planned next.
If Honda is taking that long to bring the Ridgeline back, the next version needs to make a stronger case. A newer powertrain would help. Better fuel economy would help. A hybrid version would be even more interesting, especially for buyers who want smooth torque, better efficiency, and the same easy daily drivability.
The Ridgeline has always been a smart truck.
The next one may need to be smart and more clearly future-ready.
Final Thoughts
Before this test, I already respected the Ridgeline for what it is.
After using it for a real homeowner job, I think I appreciate it even more.
The Ridgeline handled the trailer, the riding mower, the push mower, and the lawn supplies without making the job feel hard.
Then it went right back to being easy to drive, easy to park, and easy to live with.
That’s the Ridgeline story.
It may not be the truck for people trying to prove something.
It’s the truck for people trying to get something done.
For homeowners, weekend project people, and families who need a truck sometimes but don’t want to live with a rough-riding truck every day, the 2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport makes a very strong case for itself.
2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport
Daryl Killian
