The 2026 Honda Ridgeline is doing more than collecting praise. It has landed at the top of Consumer Reports’ midsize pickup rankings and also earned a spot as the best Cars Made in the USA in its class, which gives it a rare mix of street cred and practical appeal. Honda has kept the formula mostly familiar for 2026, and that calm, no-drama approach is a big part of why the truck stands out.
Consumer Reports put the Ridgeline ahead of the Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado. That’s not a light field, and the Honda pulled it off by leaning into what it does best instead of chasing hard-edged truck bravado. The outlet singled out the composite bed, solid fuel economy, useful cargo space, the under-bed trunk, the smooth ride, and a cabin that stays quiet even when the road gets rough.
That last part matters more than some truck buyers admit. Plenty of midsize pickups try to look tough first and think about comfort later, but the Ridgeline has always been built for people who want a truck they can actually live with every day. Consumer Reports summed it up by calling it, “…one of the most civilized pickup trucks we’ve ever tested.”
Another reason the Ridgeline keeps showing up in these conversations is where it is built. The truck is assembled in Lincoln, Alabama, which gives it a strong domestic manufacturing angle that many shoppers care about. In a market where “made in America” gets thrown around a lot, the Ridgeline has the hardware to back up the label.
Still, there is a clock ticking. Honda plans to pause Ridgeline production late in 2026, and the next version is expected for the 2028 model year. The reason is pretty straightforward: the V6 will need major updates to meet upcoming emissions rules, so the company is taking a breather before the next chapter begins.
Under the hood, the 2026 Ridgeline uses a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 280 horsepower, paired with a nine-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. That setup gives it a relaxed, confident feel that fits the truck’s personality well. It is not trying to bully the pavement, but it does get the job done without fuss.
Performance numbers are respectable too. Car and Driver recorded a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.0 seconds, along with a 14.6-second quarter-mile at 94 mph, which is quick enough to keep the Ridgeline from feeling soft. It also posted 0.78g on the skidpad and stopped from 70 mph in 180 feet, so this is not just a comfort-first machine with no backbone.
Fuel economy stays in a decent range for a V6-powered pickup. EPA estimates come in at 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for most versions, while the TrailSport trims off 1 mpg on the highway. For shoppers balancing family use, commuting, and weekend hauling, that kind of efficiency can make a real difference over time.
The Ridgeline’s usefulness goes deeper than the basic specs. It offers 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, a max payload of 1,583 pounds, and 7.3 cubic feet of lockable storage under the bed. Add in the two-way tailgate, room for four-by-eight plywood sheets, and a roomy rear seat that beats every other pickup in its class for space, and the truck starts to look less like an oddball and more like a very smart choice.
Comfort still plays a huge role in the Ridgeline’s appeal, especially thanks to its multilink rear suspension with coil springs. That setup gives it a ride quality that feels far less truck-like than the solid-axle, leaf-spring crowd, and it is one of the biggest reasons people keep coming back to it. Starting at $42,290 with destination, and including features like 18-inch alloy wheels, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, tri-zone climate control, remote start, and an integrated trailer hitch, the 2026 Ridgeline keeps stacking practical wins in a segment that often forgets how valuable those can be.
