​​Is The 2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport The Right-Sized Pickup Truck For You?​ 

As one of the few pickup trucks offering unibody construction, the 2026 Honda Ridgeline might have some traditional truck enthusiasts questioning whether or not it’s a “real truck.” But if the 2026 Ridgeline does everything you need it to – and in some cases, performs better than conventional body-on-frame pickup trucks – what isn’t real about it? A Ridgeline may well be the perfect pickup for your particular needs, and this  Michael Hohl Honda post will hopefully help you decide if Ridgeline is the better choice for you.  

The Ridgeline is a midsize truck and thus compares most closely with the likes of the Chevrolet Colorado or the Toyota Tacoma. The Ridgeline shares its roots with the Honda Pilot and Passport crossovers, along with the Odyssey minivan. Likewise, it shares a powerful and efficient driveline with its siblings: a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6, which is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, generates 280 horsepower and a stout 262 lb-ft of torque. That power is then sent to all four wheels through a unique i-VTM 4 all-wheel drive system. The always-active i-VTM 4 system will help keep you on the road in poor weather and help you get off the pavement on a trail. The Ridgeline TrailSport, with its taller ride height and all-terrain tires, is particularly adept off paved roads, even if it isn’t a true rock-crawling trail monster like some of its competitors.  

Compared to an SUV, a pickup truck’s biggest selling point is its ability to easily handle large cargo that can’t be constrained within an enclosed cargo space. The Ridgeline provides ample open-air cargo space, and unlike some rivals, its bed sides aren’t stratospherically high, making it easier to secure, adjust, and inspect whatever is loaded in inside. 

While conventional body-on-frame trucks typically hold an advantage when it comes to trailering, the Ridgeline is no slouch, either. The 2026 Honda Ridgeline is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is perfect for many small- to medium-sized trailers.

When it comes to cargo, the Ridgeline’s bed is a few inches longer and wider than its rivals, but you would probably have to try hard to exceed its 1,599-pound payload capacity in that space. Despite what the critics may claim about the superiority of body-on-frame construction, Ridgeline’s payload is nearly identical to that of the Tacoma 4×4 Double Cab, and actually exceeds the payload ratings of the Colorado 4×4 Crew Cab Z71 and TrailBoss.

Of course, what good is payload if it’s difficult to load or unload it from the bed itself? It’s hard to ignore its unique Dual-Action tailgate, which can swing to the driver’s side of the vehicle in addition to folding down. Another exclusive: Ridgeline offers a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable trunk space underneath the rear portion of the bed, a perfect space for securing tools, athletic gear, and other belongings without eating into bed space.   

Ridgeline also makes it easy to carry plenty of cargo inside the cab itself, thanks to trick rear-seat cushions that swing upward and lock into place. This creates a wide, floor-to-ceiling enclosed space for items you don’t want exposed to the elements while in transit. Potted plants or large wall paintings are perfect examples of items you can easily transport in this space.

The Ridgeline’s Pilot roots truly shine when it comes to carrying people. Its interior appointments are stylish and surprisingly upscale, boasting none of the faux-macho pretensions of the Tacoma. Passengers will likely appreciate Ridgeline’s refined ride quality, along with the fact they have two to three additional inches of rear-seat legroom than they would in either a Colorado or Tacoma.   

Ridgeline may not be the most conventional truck design, but it benefits from Honda’s traditional attention to detail when it comes to how people are likely to use their vehicles and designing innovative solutions accordingly. It may not be the most macho truck on the market or parked in your neighborhood, but it could well be the smartest, most well-rounded design on the market – and one more likely to fit your needs and sustain your satisfaction over the long term. 

If if sounds as if the 2026 Ridgeline may well be the perfect pickup for your needs, why not come try it on for size? Come to Michael Hohl Honda and see all the ways a Ridgeline can fit into your life.