If you’re shopping for a midsize pickup that can handle weekend projects, daily driving, road trips, towing, and outdoor adventures without feeling like a traditional work truck, the 2026 Honda Ridgeline deserves a look.

The 2026 Ridgeline combines a 280-horsepower V6 engine, standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, a versatile truck bed, an innovative In-Bed Trunk, comfortable seating for five, modern technology, and available off-road equipment. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Ridgeline has the capability to handle everything from recreational trailers and boats to home-improvement projects and weekend gear.

For shoppers in Stark, our team at Diehl Honda of Massillon can help you compare the 2026 Honda Ridgeline trims, explore available inventory, and find the configuration that fits your needs.

What Is the 2026 Honda Ridgeline?

The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup designed for drivers who want the utility of a truck without giving up the comfort and everyday drivability expected from a modern Honda.

Unlike traditional body-on-frame pickups, the Ridgeline uses unibody construction. That design contributes to a comfortable, composed ride while still providing a functional bed, standard all-wheel drive, strong towing capability, and useful cargo features.

For many drivers, that’s the Ridgeline’s biggest advantage: it can serve as a truck when you need a truck while remaining practical as an everyday vehicle.

The 2026 Honda Ridgeline offers:

• 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine
• Standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive
• 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity
• 9-speed automatic transmission
• Dual-action tailgate
• Lockable In-Bed Trunk
• Lay-flat truck bed
• 33.9 cubic feet of truck-bed cargo volume
• 7.3 cubic feet of In-Bed Trunk storage
• Seating for five
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• 9-inch Display Audio touchscreen
• Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistance technologies

2026 Honda Ridgeline Engine & Performance

Every 2026 Honda Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

That combination gives the Ridgeline plenty of power for highway merging, passing, hauling cargo, and towing.

More importantly, you don’t have to upgrade to a higher trim to get the Ridgeline’s core performance hardware. i-VTM4 all-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, including the entry-level Sport.

How much can the 2026 Honda Ridgeline tow?

The 2026 Honda Ridgeline has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Every trim is rated for up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

That makes the Ridgeline a strong option for drivers who need to tow recreational equipment, utility trailers, small boats, campers, landscaping equipment, or other loads within the truck’s limits.

An integrated Class III trailer hitch and 7-pin connector are also standard.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Truck Bed: One of Its Biggest Advantages

A pickup truck is only as useful as its cargo area, and the Ridgeline has several features designed to make its bed more practical.

The 2026 Ridgeline has a 33.9-cubic-foot truck bed with a standard UV-stabilized, scratch-resistant composite surface.

The bed measures:

• 64 inches long with the tailgate closed
• 83 inches long with the tailgate down
• Up to 60 inches wide at the bed walls
• 50 inches wide between the wheel wells
• 350-pound capacity for each heavy-duty bed tie-down cleat

That gives the Ridgeline enough flexibility for everything from lumber and landscaping supplies to bikes, camping equipment, sports gear, coolers, and weekend-project materials.

What Is the Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk?

One of the Ridgeline’s signature features is the lockable 7.3-cubic-foot In-Bed Trunk.

Rather than sacrificing bed space for a traditional toolbox, the Ridgeline incorporates a separate storage compartment directly into the truck bed.

It’s useful for items you don’t want rolling around the bed or sitting exposed to the elements.

Think:

• Emergency equipment
• Tools
• Tie-down straps
• Camping supplies
• Sports equipment
• Groceries
• Road-trip gear
• Smaller valuables

The In-Bed Trunk is standard on every 2026 Ridgeline trim.

The Ridgeline Dual-Action Tailgate

The Ridgeline also features a dual-action tailgate, giving you two ways to access the truck bed.

You can open it conventionally downward or swing it outward.

That can make it easier to reach cargo stored toward the rear of the bed, load bulky items, or access the In-Bed Trunk.

It’s a small feature that can make a big difference when you’re using the Ridgeline regularly.

Is the 2026 Honda Ridgeline Good for Off-Roading?

Yes, but there’s an important distinction.

The Ridgeline is designed to provide real all-terrain capability, particularly in TrailSport form, but it isn’t intended to replace a dedicated rock-crawling truck.

Every 2026 Ridgeline has i-VTM4 AWD with Intelligent Traction Management. The system includes Normal, Snow, Sand, and Mud modes, allowing the vehicle to adjust its traction strategy for different surfaces.

For drivers dealing with snow, muddy roads, gravel, dirt trails, campsites, beaches, or rough access roads, that standard AWD system can be a major advantage.

2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport

If off-road capability is high on your priority list, the Ridgeline TrailSport is the trim to pay particular attention to.

TrailSport adds:

• Off-road-tuned suspension
• All-terrain tires
• TrailSport styling
• Skid plate
• TrailSport-specific interior details
• Trail Orange stitching and ambient lighting
• All-season floor mats
• Front and rear parking sensors

The TrailSport also maintains the Ridgeline’s 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity.

How much ground clearance does the Ridgeline have?

The 2026 Ridgeline has 7.64 inches of unladen ground clearance, with approach, breakover, and departure angles of approximately 20.4°, 19.6°, and 19.6°, respectively.

Those numbers help explain where the Ridgeline fits: it’s well suited to recreational off-road driving and difficult weather conditions, while drivers seeking extreme rock-crawling capability may want a more specialized vehicle.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Trim Levels

For 2026, Honda offers the Ridgeline in six configurations:

1. Ridgeline Sport
2. Ridgeline RTL
3. Ridgeline TrailSport
4. Ridgeline TrailSport + HPD Wheels
5. Ridgeline Black Edition
6. Ridgeline Black Edition Two-Tone

Here’s a quick breakdown.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Sport

The Sport is the entry point to the Ridgeline lineup, but it doesn’t feel stripped down.

Standard highlights include:

• 280-hp V6
• i-VTM4 AWD
• 5,000-lb towing capacity
• Dual-action tailgate
• In-Bed Trunk
• Integrated Class III trailer hitch
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wireless Android Auto
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Honda Sensing technologies
• 7-speaker, 215-watt audio system

Best for: Buyers who want the core Ridgeline experience and maximum utility without paying for luxury-oriented upgrades.

2026 Honda Ridgeline RTL

The RTL adds more comfort and convenience to the Ridgeline.

Highlights include:

• Leather-trimmed interior
• Heated front seats
• Power front seats with driver’s memory
• One-touch power moonroof
• Power-sliding rear window
• Automatic-dimming rearview mirror
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Best for: Daily drivers who want a more upscale interior and additional comfort features.

2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport

The TrailSport is aimed at buyers who want to take their Ridgeline farther off the pavement.

Its key upgrades include:

• Off-road-tuned suspension
• All-terrain tires
• Skid plate
• TrailSport styling
• Trail Orange interior accents
• TrailSport all-season floor mats
• Front and rear parking sensors

Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts, campers, anglers, hunters, cyclists, and drivers who regularly travel on dirt, gravel, mud, snow, and other challenging surfaces.

2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport + HPD Wheels

This configuration combines the TrailSport equipment with an 18-inch HPD™ Black Alloy Wheel package.

The package includes:

• 18-inch HPD Black Alloy Wheels
• HPD Center Caps
• Black Lug Nuts

Best for: Buyers who want the TrailSport’s capability and a more distinctive wheel package.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition

The Black Edition focuses on premium comfort and distinctive styling.

Highlights include:

• Black Edition exterior trim
• Black Edition leather interior
• 18-inch black alloy wheels
• Red ambient LED lighting
• Heated front and outboard rear seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 540-watt, 8-speaker premium audio system
• Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System
• Front and rear parking sensors

Best for: Buyers who want the Ridgeline’s capability with a more premium interior and appearance.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition Two-Tone

The Black Edition Two-Tone adds a black roof to the Black Edition package.

It includes the Black Edition’s premium features while adding a distinctive two-tone exterior appearance.

Best for: Buyers who want the most distinctive, feature-rich Ridgeline configuration.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Trim Comparison

All six configurations have the same 280-hp V6, standard i-VTM4 AWD, and 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity.

How Much Can the 2026 Ridgeline Carry?

Towing isn’t the only measure of truck capability. Payload matters, too.

Depending on trim, the 2026 Ridgeline has a maximum total payload capacity ranging from approximately 1,509 to 1,583 pounds.

That can make the Ridgeline useful for hauling:

• Home-improvement supplies
• Landscaping materials
• Camping equipment
• Bicycles and outdoor gear
• Furniture
• Work tools
• Recreational equipment

As always, payload includes passengers, cargo, accessories, and other applicable weight, so be sure to check the specific vehicle’s rating before loading it.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Interior & Technology

The Ridgeline isn’t just a truck bed with seats in front.

It offers seating for five, a 60/40 split lift-up rear seat, under-seat storage, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a center console capable of holding items such as a 10-inch tablet.

Technology features include:

• 9-inch color touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wireless Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger
• Bluetooth streaming audio
• Remote engine start
• USB connectivity
• Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System
• HondaLink connectivity

For buyers who use their truck as their primary vehicle, these features are important. The Ridgeline is designed to be comfortable on Monday morning just as much as Saturday morning.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Safety Features

The 2026 Ridgeline also includes Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-assistance and safety technologies.

Depending on configuration, available and standard systems include features such as:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor
• Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines
• Front and rear parking sensors on select trims

The Ridgeline’s standard rearview camera provides multiple views, including wide, normal, and top-down perspectives, which can be particularly useful when maneuvering around a trailer hitch or backing into a tight space.

Driver-assistance technology is designed to assist the driver and does not replace attentive, responsible driving.

Find Your 2026 Honda Ridgeline at Diehl Honda of Massillon

The best way to decide whether the 2026 Honda Ridgeline is right for you is to experience it in person.

At Diehl Honda, we’re here to help drivers throughout Stark County compare Ridgeline trims, explore available colors and features, discuss financing and purchase options, and find the right truck for their lifestyle.

Whether you’re interested in the practical Ridgeline Sport, comfortable RTL, adventure-ready TrailSport, or premium Black Edition, we can help you take the next step.

Ready to start shopping for a 2026 Honda Ridgeline?

Browse our inventory online, contact us to set up a test drive, and see why drivers love the Ridgeline!

Your next truck could be closer than you think.