Honda has released a shadowy teaser for the next-generation Ridgeline, signaling a design shift toward a more conventional truck aesthetic. The current Ridgeline, in production since 2016, will get a substantial refresh arriving within two years, and the teaser image hints at a bolder, more truck-like proportion compared to the car-based proportions of the current model.
The Ridgeline occupies a unique segment. It's a unibody pickup built on a platform shared with the Pilot SUV, offering carlike handling and a lower load floor than body-on-frame competitors from Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram. However, that car-like design has also limited its truck credibility with buyers who want aggressive styling and traditional truck presence.
Honda's pivot toward a more overtly truck-focused design suggests the company recognizes where the market has shifted. Today's truck buyers demand visible muscularity, taller proportions, and bold grilles. The current Ridgeline's softer lines and sedan-like profile haven't resonated with truck traditionalists who see it as a compromise vehicle.
This refresh comes as the truck market continues booming. Full-size pickups dominate sales in North America, and Honda's Ridgeline captures only a fraction of that volume. A more aggressive design won't transform the Ridgeline into a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado competitor, but it can appeal to buyers seeking a more modern, visually confident pickup that still delivers the Ridgeline's known strengths in interior space, innovative bed features, and refinement.
The two-year timeline means 2026 or 2027 arrival, giving Honda time to refine the design and potentially add new powertrain options. Expect continued focus on the Ridgeline's AWD capability, Honda's dual