Next Generation Honda Ridgeline Will Keep Its Unibody Design and Get More Rugged
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Honda has already teased the third generation Ridgeline, and the next truck is starting to look like an evolution rather than a complete change of direction.
That matters because the Honda Ridgeline has always been a slightly unusual pickup. While rivals such as the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado use more traditional truck focused layouts, the Ridgeline has built its identity around a unibody platform. Based on recent comments from Honda, that formula appears set to continue.
The next generation Honda Ridgeline is expected to arrive around the 2028 model year. Honda has said the new truck will feature a more rugged design, while recent comments from the company suggest it will remain focused on the qualities that have made the current model successful.
Next Generation Honda Ridgeline Is Expected to Keep Unibody Construction
The midsize truck market is getting more competitive. The Tacoma, Ranger and Colorado are already established players, Ram is preparing to bring back the Dakota nameplate, and Hyundai and Kia have also expressed plans to enter the segment with more traditional body on frame trucks.
Honda, however, appears happy to do its own thing.
At a media roundtable, Honda Auto Sales Vice President Lance Woelfer described the current Ridgeline format as a success. He pointed specifically to its unibody construction and said the truck has met market needs well.
According to Woelfer, the Ridgeline has been selling at around 45,000 units per year. Its sales have remained above the 40,000 unit level since 2021, showing that Honda has found a group of truck buyers who want something different from a conventional midsize pickup.
Honda has not yet published full technical specifications for the next generation model. Still, the company’s recent comments strongly suggest that the Ridgeline will continue with a unibody design rather than switching to a body on frame platform.
Why Honda Is Sticking With the Ridgeline Formula
The Ridgeline does not try to be the toughest truck in every situation.
Instead, its main strength is that it works like a pickup without feeling like one during everyday driving. That is probably the simplest explanation for why Honda does not appear interested in abandoning the current formula.
The unibody construction gives the Ridgeline a more comfortable ride and more car like handling than many traditional midsize trucks. Honda’s current model also uses independent rear suspension, which helps it feel more refined on normal roads.
For many owners, that makes sense.
Most truck buyers do not spend every day crawling over rocks, towing at maximum capacity or hauling half a construction site. A pickup may spend Monday to Friday commuting, carrying groceries and doing family duty, before getting asked to carry something large on the weekend. The Ridgeline has always been aimed at that kind of owner.
Current Honda Ridgeline Capability
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline still offers proper truck capability despite its more comfortable road manners.
Key features include:
- Standard all wheel drive
- 280 horsepower 3.5 litre V6 engine
- Up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity
- Dual action tailgate
- Lockable In Bed Trunk
- Scratch resistant truck bed
- Available TrailSport trim with all terrain tires and off road tuned suspension
Honda also offers the current Ridgeline TrailSport with Intelligent Traction Management modes for snow, sand and mud. So the Ridgeline is not exactly afraid of getting dirty. It just prefers getting home comfortably afterwards.
A More Extreme Honda Ridgeline TrailSport Could Be Coming
This may be one of the more interesting parts of the next generation Ridgeline story.
Honda has been expanding its TrailSport lineup and giving models such as the Passport and Pilot more serious off road credentials. When asked about the possibility of more rugged Honda products, Woelfer suggested that the Ridgeline could also benefit from this approach.
He described the truck as having a good opportunity for a more extreme version in the future.
That does not confirm the exact features of a future Ridgeline TrailSport. Honda has not announced details such as increased ground clearance, larger tires, skid plates or changes to the powertrain.
Still, the direction is clear. The next Ridgeline could keep its comfortable unibody character while offering a more serious off road package.
That would be a sensible move. Honda does not necessarily need to turn the Ridgeline into a Tacoma clone. It can simply make the truck more capable without losing the things that already make it different.
The Next Honda Ridgeline Could Look Much More Rugged
Honda has already confirmed that the new Ridgeline will have a more rugged design.
The teaser image does not reveal much, but it shows that Honda is preparing a new generation rather than simply giving the current truck another facelift. The company has also said that the next Ridgeline is being designed in California, engineered in Ohio and will continue to be built in Alabama.
Honda has not revealed the full design yet, so any discussion about specific styling details remains speculation.
For now, the confirmed part is simple: the next generation Ridgeline will look tougher, and Honda wants to push the truck further in the rugged direction.
Honda Ridgeline Production Will Pause Before the New Model Arrives
The current Ridgeline will end production later in 2026, followed by a gap before the replacement arrives.
Honda has confirmed a production pause as it prepares for the next generation model. The new Ridgeline is expected to arrive within the next couple of years, with 2028 looking like the likely model year.
This means the Ridgeline will temporarily disappear from Honda’s lineup before returning in a new form.
Honda believes the break will be worth it. Woelfer said he expects the new Ridgeline to become a bigger contributor to the company’s sales when it returns.
What to Expect From the 2028 Honda Ridgeline
Honda has not revealed complete specifications yet, but based on the information available so far, the next generation Ridgeline is expected to offer:
- A new third generation design
- More rugged exterior styling
- Continued unibody construction
- Improved off road capability
- Potentially a more extreme TrailSport model
- The same focus on everyday comfort and practicality
- A return around the 2028 model year
The final specifications, powertrain options, dimensions, towing capacity and pricing remain unconfirmed.
Final Thoughts
The next generation Honda Ridgeline does not appear interested in following the rest of the midsize truck market.
And honestly, that is probably a good thing.
The Tacoma, Ranger and Colorado already serve buyers looking for traditional truck architecture. Honda has spent years building a different type of pickup, one that offers a comfortable ride, useful cargo space, all wheel drive capability and practical features such as the lockable In Bed Trunk.
The next Ridgeline seems set to keep that identity while becoming tougher and more capable.
If Honda gets the balance right, the 2028 Honda Ridgeline could offer something many truck buyers actually want: more capability when needed, without making everyday driving feel like a punishment.
Sources and References
Official Honda US Sources
2026 Honda Ridgeline Official US Page
Official Honda US page covering the current Ridgeline, including AWD, the 280 hp V6, TrailSport trim, In Bed Trunk and other features.
2026 Honda Ridgeline Features and Specifications
Official Honda US specifications page with detailed information on the unibody construction, 5,000 pound towing capacity, engine, suspension and dimensions.
Main Reference for the Next Generation Ridgeline
Next Generation Honda Ridgeline Will Hone a Successful Formula
Car and Driver report covering Honda’s comments on the next generation Ridgeline, its expected continued unibody construction, sales performance and the possibility of a more capable TrailSport version.
Honda Confirms Third Generation Ridgeline Truck
Car and Driver report covering the third generation Ridgeline teaser, production pause, expected timing and Honda’s plan for a more rugged design.
Canada Reference
2026 Honda Ridgeline Canada Official Page
Official Honda Canada page with Canadian specifications, TrailSport details, towing information, AWD and Intelligent Traction Management.
2026 Honda Ridgeline Canada Specifications
Official Canadian specification page for comparing Ridgeline trims and technical details.
Official Honda Background Source
Honda Global Newsroom
Honda’s official global newsroom, useful for checking future announcements and official company information.
Next Generation Honda Ridgeline FAQ
Here are the key questions and answers about the upcoming third generation Honda Ridgeline and what buyers can expect.
The next generation Honda Ridgeline is expected to arrive around the 2028 model year. The current Ridgeline is expected to end production later in 2026, followed by a pause before the new generation returns.
Based on recent comments from Honda executives, the next generation Ridgeline is expected to continue with a unibody design. Honda considers the current formula successful and sees the Ridgeline's more comfortable and car like driving experience as one of its biggest strengths.
Yes. Honda has indicated that the next generation Ridgeline will feature a more rugged design. The company has not revealed the complete vehicle yet, so the final styling details remain unconfirmed.
Honda has not confirmed a more extreme Ridgeline TrailSport, but company comments suggest there is an opportunity to make the truck more capable. Features such as more ground clearance, larger tires or additional underbody protection have not been officially confirmed.
The unibody design gives the Ridgeline a unique position in the midsize truck market. It focuses on everyday comfort, smoother handling and practicality while still providing useful towing and hauling capability.
The current Honda Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Towing capacity for the next generation model has not yet been announced.
The current 2026 Honda Ridgeline uses a 3.5 liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower. Honda has not yet confirmed the powertrain for the next generation Ridgeline.
Yes. The current Honda Ridgeline comes with all wheel drive as standard. Honda has not released the complete drivetrain specifications for the next generation model.
The Ridgeline uses a unibody platform instead of the more traditional body on frame construction used by many midsize trucks. This helps give it a more comfortable ride, easier everyday handling and a less truck like driving feel.
Key features include a dual action tailgate, a lockable In Bed Trunk, a scratch resistant truck bed and TrailSport equipment such as all terrain tires and off road focused suspension tuning.
Honda is expected to end production of the current generation later in 2026, but the Ridgeline itself is not expected to disappear permanently. Production will pause before the next generation model arrives.
The next Ridgeline is expected to be a new third generation model with a more rugged design and continued focus on the qualities that made the current truck successful. Honda has not yet released final specifications, pricing, dimensions, towing capacity or full powertrain details.
