Honda Ridgeline Gets a Bold, Boxier Makeover - And It’s Coming Soon

The Honda Ridgeline has long been the pickup truck that enthusiasts love to mock. But let’s be honest: it’s not a bad truck. It’s just old. The current generation has been on the road for a decade, and Honda finally confirmed this week that a new, tougher version is on the way within two years.

The teaser image, which I brightened up in Photoshop, shows a much boxier silhouette with a straight-up front bumper, a higher stance, and chunky all-terrain tires. The bed break line is still visible, so it’s clear Honda isn’t hiding the fact that this is still a unibody design, but it’s leaning hard into truck looks.

The new Ridgeline is being designed at Honda’s Southern California styling studio and engineered in Ohio. Year after year, the Ridgeline ranks among the most American-made vehicles, and that trend will continue. 5-liter naturally aspirated V6, possibly with some hybrid assistance.

Given that the current Ridgeline rides on the last-gen Passport platform, and the new one will be built at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant, it makes sense to expect more shared parts.

Production will pause later this year to retool the plant, lining up with reports that the midsize pickup will disappear for about 18 months. When it returns, the big question is how much Honda will cater to the traditional truck buyer. There’s a sweet spot between rugged utility and daily-driver comfort.

I hope they find it.