Honda Pauses Ridgeline for Up to 18 Months to Finish 3rd-Generation Truck

Q: Will the next Ridgeline sacrifice its unique unibody comfort in its quest to finally win over traditional truck buyers?

Probably not. The strongest evidence points to Honda keeping the Ridgeline’s unibody formula while trying to make it tougher, more efficient and more competitive. Honda has said the next Ridgeline will bring “increased ruggedness” and “even more capability,” but it has not said it will switch to a body-on-frame layout. The reporting around the 2028 return describes the truck as a heavily refreshed or deeply modernized Ridgeline rather than a clean-sheet replacement, and several industry reports expect it to remain unibody. That matters because the Ridgeline’s main distinction in the midsize segment is its SUV-like ride, independent rear suspension and everyday usability. The production pause appears driven less by a philosophical rethink of the truck and more by practical issues: the current 3.5-liter V-6 is aging, struggles with tougher California emissions rules, and is less competitive as rivals move to turbocharged and hybrid setups. Honda’s likely answer is a hybridized V-6 or dual-motor system, aimed at better fuel economy, stronger low-end torque and some towing improvement. That suggests Honda is trying to broaden the Ridgeline’s appeal without abandoning what loyal buyers like about it. The bigger risk is not that Honda turns it into a traditional truck, but that it must add enough capability to narrow the gap with body-on-frame rivals such as the Tacoma and Ranger while preserving the comfort, refinement and in-bed practicality that make the Ridgeline different.

3 articles · Updated · MotorTrend · Jul 23

Honda will stop second-generation Ridgeline production later in 2026, leaving a gap of about 18 months while the third-generation pickup is completed.
The replacement is being designed in Torrance, California, engineered in Raymond, Ohio, and will return to Honda’s Alabama plant, where the current Ridgeline is built.
Honda says the new truck will keep a conventional pickup shape but add a more rugged look and stronger capability, building on features such as the Ridgeline’s dual-action tailgate.
Powertrain details remain unconfirmed, but the next model is expected within two years and could pair an updated 3.5-liter V-6 with a new hybrid system for larger Honda vehicles.