Generation history
Honda Ridgeline generations and next redesign.
The Honda Ridgeline has been through 2 generations, starting in 2006 and 2017. The gaps were 11 years, an average of 11.0. The pace has been steady. The current generation began in 2017. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2027 through 2029, centered on 2028. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: After a one-year hiatus in Ridgeline production, the second-generation went on sale in June 2016 as a 2017 model year vehicle. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Honda Ridgeline model page.
Every generation
The Honda Ridgeline, generation by generation.
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
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| First generation | YK1 | 2006–2017 | The first-generation Ridgeline went on sale in March 2005 as a 2006 model year vehicle. |
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| Second generation | YK2/3 | 2017–present | After a one-year hiatus in Ridgeline production, the second-generation went on sale in June 2016 as a 2017 model year vehicle. |
|---|
The Honda Ridgeline spent 11.0 years per generation on average. The current one is 9 years old. Treat 2027 to 2029 as a range, not a date.
Source: Honda Ridgeline (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Honda Ridgeline model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
What each Honda Ridgeline generation changed.
First generation, 2006 to 2017
The first-generation Ridgeline went on sale in March 2005 as a 2006 model year vehicle. The Car Design Yearbook called it "Honda's first foray into the true heartland of the American automotive way of life—the pickup truck." An engineering team from Honda R&D Americas, led by Gary Flint, designed the vehicle. According to the author of Driving Honda, the automaker wanted to target buyers who were looking to move to a pickup from sedans, minivans, and sport utility vehicles (SUV).
Second generation, 2017 to today
After a one-year hiatus in Ridgeline production, the second-generation went on sale in June 2016 as a 2017 model year vehicle. The second-generation Ridgeline took a different approach in design from the first generation Ridgeline by sharing Honda's new "global light truck platform," used for the third-generation Honda Pilot as well as other large Honda vehicles. Honda modified the Pilot platform, including extending the wheelbase and various parts to support hauling, towing, and off-road use. Honda reported that 73% of the second-generation Ridgeline's components remain common with the third-generation Pilot.
Generation notes adapted from Honda Ridgeline (Wikipedia).
Today's Honda Ridgeline
What the current generation is, and how it has held up.
Honda Ridgeline at a glance
- Production
- 2005–early 2015, 2016–present
- Model years
- 2006–2014, 2017–present
- Assembly
- Canada: Alliston, Ontario (HCM) (2004–2009), United States: Lincoln, Alabama (HMA) (2008–2015, 2016–present)
- Class
- Mid-size pickup truck
- Body style
- 4-door pickup truck
- Layout
- Front-engine, all-wheel drive (2006–present), Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (2017–2020)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Honda Ridgeline overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)
- May 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic… Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- May 2024, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners filed 89 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Honda Ridgeline, most often about exterior lighting (25), electrical system (24), engine (20).