2025 Honda Ridgeline: Reinventing the Unibody Truck – Again?

The Honda Ridgeline has always occupied a unique space in the truck market. It's the "un-truck" truck, prioritizing comfort, ride quality, and everyday usability over sheer brute force and off-road prowess (though it's more capable than many give it credit for). As we look ahead to the 2025 model year, the Ridgeline faces a changing landscape. Competition is heating up in the mid-size truck segment, with rivals offering increasingly refined and feature-rich options. So, what can we expect from the 2025 Honda Ridgeline, and will it continue to successfully carve its own niche?

Building on a Proven Foundation (with Necessary Upgrades)

The current generation Ridgeline, introduced in 2017 and significantly refreshed in 2021, has proven popular with buyers who appreciate its car-like ride, spacious cabin, and innovative features like the in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate. We expect the 2025 model to build upon this solid foundation, but with key improvements to keep it competitive.

• Exterior Styling: Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary: Honda is generally conservative with redesigns, and the Ridgeline is unlikely to deviate from this pattern. Expect subtle but meaningful updates to the front fascia, perhaps with a more aggressive grille design and updated LED lighting. New wheel designs and potentially some fresh color options are also likely. The overall silhouette will likely remain largely unchanged, retaining the Ridgeline's distinctive profile.
• Interior Refinement and Technology: This is where we anticipate the most significant upgrades. The current Ridgeline's interior, while comfortable and functional, is starting to show its age compared to some rivals. For 2025, expect:

• Larger Infotainment Screen: A larger touchscreen (likely 10-12 inches) with Honda's latest infotainment system is almost a certainty. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard, and we might even see the introduction of a fully digital instrument cluster, at least on higher trims.
• Improved Materials: Expect higher-quality materials throughout the cabin, with more soft-touch surfaces and potentially more sophisticated trim options.
• Enhanced Connectivity: More USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and potentially an improved Wi-Fi hotspot are all likely additions.
• Seating Comfort: Honda is known for its comfortable seats, and the 2025 Ridgeline should continue this tradition. We might see enhanced adjustability and potentially even massaging front seats on top-tier trims.
• Powertrain: Sticking with the Tried and True (Mostly): The current Ridgeline's 3.5-liter V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission provide adequate power and decent fuel economy. We expect this powertrain to carry over, potentially with minor tweaks for improved efficiency. A hybrid option, however, is a distinct possibility. Honda has been aggressively expanding its hybrid offerings, and a Ridgeline Hybrid would make a lot of sense, offering improved fuel economy and potentially increased towing capacity. It's less likely, but not impossible, that Honda could explore a turbocharged four-cylinder option, following the trend of some competitors.
• Ride and Handling: Maintaining the Ridgeline's Signature Smoothness: One of the Ridgeline's biggest selling points is its car-like ride quality, thanks to its unibody construction and independent rear suspension. This will undoubtedly remain a key focus for the 2025 model. Honda may make minor tweaks to the suspension tuning to further enhance ride comfort and handling, but the overall character will remain unchanged.
• Capability: Staying True to Its Mission: The Ridgeline isn't designed to be a hardcore off-roader, but it's surprisingly capable. The i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system provides excellent traction in a variety of conditions, and the Ridgeline's ground clearance is sufficient for most light off-road adventures. We don't expect any major changes to the Ridgeline's towing capacity (currently 5,000 pounds), but any potential hybrid option might see a slight increase. The in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate, signature Ridgeline features, will undoubtedly return.
• Safety First: Honda Sensing, Honda's suite of driver-assistance technologies, will be standard on all trims. This includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and road departure mitigation. We might see some additions or enhancements to this suite, such as improved lane centering or traffic jam assist.

The Competition Heats Up

The 2025 Ridgeline will face stiff competition from redesigned models like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon. These trucks are all becoming more refined and technologically advanced, blurring the lines between traditional body-on-frame trucks and the unibody Ridgeline. The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick also present smaller, more urban-focused alternatives.

The Ridgeline's Advantage: A Unique Proposition

Despite the increased competition, the Ridgeline's unique blend of comfort, versatility, and practicality will continue to appeal to a specific type of buyer. It's the perfect truck for those who need the utility of a pickup bed but don't want to sacrifice the driving experience of a car or SUV.

The Verdict:

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline is shaping up to be a thoughtful and well-executed update to an already excellent truck. By focusing on interior refinement, technology upgrades, and potentially adding a hybrid powertrain option, Honda can ensure that the Ridgeline remains a compelling choice in the increasingly competitive mid-size truck segment. It won't win over hardcore off-road enthusiasts, but it will continue to satisfy those who value comfort, versatility, and everyday usability above all else. The Ridgeline's success hinges on Honda's ability to modernize it without sacrificing the qualities that make it unique. If they succeed, the 2025 Ridgeline will likely continue to be the "un-truck" truck that many buyers love.