The Honda Ridgeline: Why Alberta Families and Truck Shoppers Keep Choosing It

Key Takeaways

• The Honda Ridgeline is the only midsize pickup in Canada with a standard Lockable In-Bed Trunk (7.3 cu-ft) and a Dual-Action Tailgate on every single trim.
• Honda's i-VTM4 AWD system with Intelligent Traction Management delivers four dedicated terrain modes, including Snow, standard on every trim with no upgrade required.
• Every Ridgeline ships with Honda Sensing standard, which includes Collision Mitigation Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind-Spot Information System.
• Honda has confirmed a production pause after the current model year, with a refreshed third-generation Ridgeline expected within two years. According to Honda Canada's press release, the new model will arrive "within two years."
• Airdrie Honda is one of the only Honda dealers in Southern Alberta actively stocking the current Ridgeline lineup and providing buyers with direct guidance on what the production pause means for them.

What Problem Does the Ridgeline Actually Solve?

You want a truck. But a full-size feels too big for the school run, the Costco parking lot, and the underground parkade downtown. A traditional midsize gives you the towing you need, but the ride feels like you're hauling a pallet of bricks whether the bed is loaded or empty.

That tension is exactly what the Ridgeline was designed to address.

Built on a unibody platform with a fully independent suspension, the Ridgeline handles more like a well-sorted SUV than a conventional truck. The frame flex you feel in body-on-frame competitors? Gone. The rough ride on Calgary's pothole-filled roads in April? Significantly smoother. According to Car and Driver, "the Ridgeline's appeal lies in its ability to handle most of the tasks most people want a pickup for with a more comfortable ride and crisper handling than conventional mid-size pickups."

If you're driving kids to school in the morning and heading to the mountains on Friday afternoon, that difference is felt on every single trip.

What Are the Key Features and Benefits of the Honda Ridgeline?

The Ridgeline's feature list is built around one idea: no compromises. Here's what every trim delivers.

The 3.5-Liter V6 That Just Works

Every Ridgeline runs on a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. No turbocharged four-cylinder. No intercooler heat soak during an Alberta summer. No cold-start hesitation in January. Honda's V6 has a long track record of reliability that forced-induction competitors simply haven't matched yet.

Standard i-VTM4 AWD and Intelligent Traction Management

The i-VTM4 system does more than split power between axles. Intelligent Traction Management gives you four dedicated terrain modes: Normal, Snow, Sand, and Mud. All four are standard on every Ridgeline trim. You don't need to add a package or upgrade a trim level. Owner reviews consistently praise the AWD system, with one Ridgeline owner describing the winter performance as "the best AWD I've ever had."

The In-Bed Trunk That Changes How You Load

The patented Lockable In-Bed Trunk holds 7.3 cubic feet of secure, weather-resistant storage built directly into the truck bed floor. It locks with a key. It includes a drain plug so it doubles as a cooler. And it sits completely separate from the 33.9 cubic feet of open bed space above it. The Dual-Action Tailgate opens downward like a traditional gate, or swings 90 degrees to the side for walk-up bed access. No other midsize pickup in Canada ships both features standard on every trim.

Honda Sensing on Every Single Trim

Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Auto High-Beam Headlights, and Blind-Spot Information System. Standard across all six trims. On competing trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger, these features are often packaged as paid add-ons.

Towing, Payload, and Fuel Economy in Real Numbers

• Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs across all six trims
• Maximum payload: up to 1,583 lbs on the Sport trim
• Fuel economy: 18 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg on Sport, RTL, and Black Edition trims (per EPA ratings)
• TrailSport and TrailSport+HPD Wheels: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined (all-terrain tires account for the difference)

How Does the Honda Ridgeline Compare to the Tacoma, Ranger, and Colorado?

This is the question that keeps comparison shoppers up at night. Here's the honest answer.

Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma wins on off-road credibility and resale value. It loses on ride quality, noise, and everyday comfort. Tacoma's standard six-speed automatic is well behind the Ridgeline's nine-speed unit. If your weekdays matter as much as your weekends, the Ridgeline is the easier truck to live with.

Choose the Tacoma if hard-core trail capability and maximum residual value at trade-in are your top priorities. Choose the Ridgeline if you want a smoother daily drive, a smarter bed, and equivalent towing in a truck your whole family enjoys.

Honda Ridgeline vs. Ford Ranger

The Ranger offers a higher tow rating at 7,500 lbs, which matters if you're regularly towing something heavier than the Ridgeline's 5,000 lb ceiling. However, the Ranger uses a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder, which adds complexity and maintenance considerations compared to Honda's proven V6.

Choose the Ranger if you regularly tow near or above 5,000 lbs. Choose the Ridgeline if long-term reliability and a simpler powertrain matter more than maximum tow numbers.

Honda Ridgeline vs. Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon

The Colorado and Canyon have gone through significant changes in recent generations, and both are capable trucks. But neither offers anything close to the Ridgeline's In-Bed Trunk or Dual-Action Tailgate. For buyers who prize storage versatility alongside towing, the Ridgeline's bed design is genuinely unique in the segment.

TrailSport vs. Black Edition: Which Ridgeline Trim Is Right for You?

Feature	TrailSport	Black Edition
Suspension	Off-road tuned	Standard
Tires	All-terrain	All-season
Interior Stitching	Orange	Red
Ventilated Front Seats	No	Yes
Audio System	7-speaker, 215W	8-speaker, 540W
LED Truck Bed Lights	No	Yes
Rear Outboard Heated Seats	No	Yes
Fuel Economy	18/23/20 mpg	18/24/21 mpg

Choose the TrailSport if you spend time on gravel roads, trails, or in conditions where the off-road tuned suspension and all-terrain tires earn their keep. Choose the Black Edition if your priority is maximum interior comfort, audio quality, and convenience features for everyday family driving.

What Is the Honda Ridgeline Ownership Experience Like?

A Ridgeline is not a truck you outgrow quickly. The five-passenger crew cab provides real rear legroom at 36.7 inches. The cabin is quieter than body-on-frame competitors. The underseat storage with 2.9 cubic feet per side gives the rear passengers a secure place for bags, gear, or groceries. Up front, the driver gets a 10-way power seat with lumbar support and two-position memory on RTL and above.

Service is simpler than a turbocharged competitor. The V6 doesn't have an intercooler to worry about, and Honda's maintenance record across its V6 lineup is well-documented. Owners who keep to regular maintenance schedules consistently report long-term reliability.

The In-Bed Trunk adds a practical dimension that owners don't anticipate until they have it. Ski boots go in the trunk so they don't smell up the cab. Camping groceries stay secure and cold with ice in a drained trunk. Tools and equipment lock away out of sight.

What Should Alberta Buyers Know About Ridgeline Financing?

Honda Canada has confirmed a production pause on the Ridgeline after the current model year, with the third-generation model expected to arrive within two years. That timing matters for buyers who are weighing their options.

The current Ridgeline is the last naturally aspirated V6 Ridgeline available before Honda transitions to what is expected to be a hybrid V6 with the refreshed model. For buyers who prefer a proven, simpler powertrain, the current generation has genuine appeal on those grounds alone.

Returning Honda owners may be eligible for Honda Loyalty Bonus programs that can be combined with trade-in equity. Vehicles like the CR-V, Pilot, and Accord tend to hold strong resale value in Alberta, which means the gap between what you get for your trade and what you pay for a Ridgeline can be smaller than you expect.

Airdrie Honda offers Honda-approved financing, online trade appraisals, and pre-approval tools to help you understand your numbers before you set foot in the dealership. For current financing rates, inventory details, and what the Trade-In Trade-Up program looks like for your specific situation, visit airdriehonda.ca.