2026 Honda Ridgeline

2026 Honda Ridgeline in Merced, CA

The 2026 Honda Ridgeline delivers a blend of truck utility and crossover comfort, making it a compelling choice for drivers navigating Central Valley highways, commuting around Merced, or heading up into the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills. Built on a rigid unibody frame, it offers smooth handling that stands apart from traditional body-on-frame pickups.

Exterior Utility and Style

The exterior design strikes a balance between rugged capability and modern refinement. Up front, an aggressive grille and bold LED headlights give the truck a strong road presence. Around back, the bed is engineered for maximum versatility. It features a unique Dual-Action Tailgate that can swing open to the side for easier loading or fold down conventionally. A key highlight is the lockable In-Bed Trunk®, an isolated, weather-resistant storage area located beneath the bed floor that includes a drain plug, making it ideal for stowing gear out of sight or serving as a built-in cooler for outdoor tailgates. Heavy-duty tie-down cleats and an available 150W/400W trunk-bed power outlet add functional convenience for work tools or camping equipment.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Inside the cabin, the crew-cab layout seats up to five passengers with generous legroom and high-grade materials. Standard features like tri-zone automatic climate control allow the driver, front passenger, and rear occupants to set their preferred temperatures, which is especially welcome during hot Central Valley summers. The center console houses a standard 9-inch color touchscreen infotainment system featuring intuitive controls alongside wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. A wireless phone charging pad comes standard, keeping the cabin cable-free. For extra storage versatility, the 60/40 split lift-up rear bench seat folds up to reveal a flat floor capable of carrying tall or bulky items safely inside the vehicle.

Performance and Capability

Under the hood, every 2026 Ridgeline is powered by a smooth 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a responsive 9-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain provides quick acceleration and reliable highway passing power. Honda's i-VTM4® (Intelligent Variable Torque Management) all-wheel-drive system comes standard, actively sending torque to the wheels that need it most. An Intelligent Traction Management system allows drivers to select modes for Normal, Snow, Sand, and Mud to handle changing road and weather conditions with ease. When properly equipped, the pickup offers a standard towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, making it well-suited for towing boats, trailers, or recreational vehicles.

Safety Features

Safety is a core priority, backed by standard Honda Sensing® active safety technologies on every trim level. Key driver-assistive features include:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™): Helps bring the vehicle to a stop if an unavoidable frontal collision is detected.
• Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM): Assists with steering or braking if the vehicle drifts out of its lane without signaling.
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Maintains a set speed and dynamic following distance behind detected traffic ahead.
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS): Adjusts steering subtly to help keep the truck centered in its detected lane.

Together with the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and standard Blind Spot Information System, the Ridgeline prioritizes occupant protection on every trip.