The first generation Honda Ridgeline is a mid-size pickup truck that was sold by Honda from early 2005 (marketed as a 2006 model year) through early 2015, mainly for the North American market.Honda Ridgeline Truck Unveiled at 2005 North American International Auto Show, All-new 4WD Honda truck will debut as 2006 model, hondanews.com, dated January 10, 2005, last accessed September 11, 2016 According to automotive journalists, the first generation Ridgeline has some noteworthy design features not found in its competition, including:2006 Honda Ridgeline Press Kit, Honda Auto News, dated 1 February 2005, last accessed 29 April 2022Honda Ridgeline Pickup Truck Makes Canadian Debut in Montreal, Auto123.com, dated January 13, 2005, last accessed March 8, 2019 Dual-action tailgate An in-bed trunk A half-ton (~500 kg) capacity composite bed An all-wheel drive system A fully independent suspension A large cabin for its class

According to Honda, the Ridgeline was not designed to steal sales from the more traditional trucks sold in North America, but was developed to "give the 18% of Honda owners who also own pickups a chance to make their garages a Honda-only parking area." According to the author of Driving Honda, the Ridgeline was one of Honda's more profitable vehiclesDriving Honda: Inside the World's Most Innovative Car Company, by Jeffrey Rothfeder, 1st published 2014, paperback with "afterword" published 2015, , last accessed August 18, 2018 despite its poor sales, with reported sales in over 20 countries.Honda Appeals After Chile Disqualifies Pickup for Tax Credit, Bloomberg BNA, by Tom Azzopardi, dated January 19, 2017, last accessed February 12, 2017

Design and specifications

According to the author of The Car Design Yearbook, the Ridgeline was "Honda's first foray into the true heartland of the American automotive way of life—the pickup truck."The Car Design Yearbook, Issue 4, Merrell Publishers, by Stephen Newbury, dated 2005, , last accessed August 18, 2018 It was designed and engineered by a 37-member engineering team from Honda Research and Development (R&D) Americas, led by Gary Flint.Crafting a pickup: Ex-GM engineer designed Ridgeline the Honda way, Autoweek, by Richard Truett, dated June 13, 2005, last accessed November 12, 2016 According to the author of Driving Honda, the automaker wanted to target buyers who were looking to transition out of sedans, minivans, and sport utility vehicles (SUV) into pickups. In 2001, the engineering team began experimenting with their first development mule, an extended version of a first generation Acura MDX with a competitor's pickup bed integrated into the rear structure, which they called "the Hondarado."50 Years of American Dreams, The Challenging Spirit (page 151), American Honda Motor Company, dated June 2009, last accessed October 20, 2019 After four years of development, the final design was revealed to the public as Honda's Sport Utility Truck Concept at the 2004 North American International Auto Show.2006 Honda Ridgeline Press Kit, Honda Auto News, dated 1 February 2005, last accessed 29 April 2022 Later that same year, Honda unveiled a revised version of their pickup concept at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show and announced the official name of the vehicle, the Ridgeline.Honda Names All-New 4-Door 4WD Truck 'Ridgeline', Honda Media Newsroom, dated November 2, 2004, last accessed February 19, 2018 The production version of the Ridgeline was unveiled the following year at the 2005 North American International Auto Show.

According to Honda, construction of the Ridgeline starts with a fully boxed "four bone" "ladder-like frame" using 44% high-strength steel and seven high-strength steel crossmembers.Great Designs in Steel, The 2017 Honda Ridgeline ; autosteel.org; by Steve Behm, Principal Underbody Design Engineer, 2017 Honda Ridgeline Body Development Leader, Honda R&D Americas; dated May 17, 2017; last accessed May 28, 2018 This was coupled to "a unique suspension design with custom components," sheetmetal not shared with any other Honda product, and a 95% unique interior. The ladder-like frame, powertrain configuration, and four-wheel independent suspension provided space for designers to build storage solutions in, around, and on top of the frame.First Drive: 2006 Honda Ridgeline, page 3 PickupTruck.com, by Mike Magda, February 2, 2005, last accessed September 4, 2015 Starting at the front of the Ridgeline, engineers stamped a steel hood that supports a cold air intake system for the engine that draws outside air from above and in front of the radiator to support torque production as well as water fording.2006 Honda Ridgeline introduction (part 3 of 4), Ridgeline's Chief Engineer (Gary Flint) introduces the Ridgeline, YouTube, by The Temple of VTEC, posted by Jeff Chambliss on August 1, 2009, last accessed August 16, 2015 This hood design also shields the windshield wipers from the environment which are also heated to improve winter performance.2006 Honda Ridgeline introduction (part 2 of 4), Ridgeline's Chief Engineer (Gary Flint) introduces the Ridgeline, YouTube, by The Temple of VTEC, posted by Jeff Chambliss on August 1, 2009, last accessed August 16, 2015 Honda also constructed large side-view mirrors to support better visibility while towing; due to their size, Honda incorporated small vortex generators on top of the mirrors to reduce air turbulence. In the crew-cab, the unibody frame allowed for the construction of a cabin with of passenger volume and a flat floor (i.e. no transmission hump). At the center of the truck, the C-pillar's buttress was specifically designed to help distribute large loads across the unibody frame and the cab so the truck could achieve its targeted payload and towing figures.Mid-Size Trucks Don't Need Frames , Jalopnik, by David Tracy, dated August 25, 2016, last accessed September 5, 2016 Also, the C-pillar, rear roof section, and tailgate were designed to maintain good aerodynamics and reduce turbulence in the bed while maintaining driver visibility. This design helps shield the rear glass window so when it's opened at speed there is less buffeting or rainwater intrusion. The bed is built out of steel-reinforced sheet moulding composite (SMC)—developed by Continental Structural Plastics—which is dent resistant, corrosion resistant, ultraviolet light resistant, has a non-slip coating, and reduces weight by 30% over traditional sheet-metal.SMC + D-LFT: A hybrid box for the Gen 2 Ridgeline, Composites World, by Peggy Malnati, September 18, 2017, last accessed November 29, 2017 The SMC bed is supported by high-strength steel crossmembers (three under the bed and two in the rear cab wall) to safely secure and support heavy loads, even under conditions that would cause the SMC to fail2006 Honda Ridgeline introduction (part 1 of 4), Ridgeline's Chief Engineer (Gary Flint) introduces the Ridgeline, YouTube, by The Temple of VTEC, posted by Jeff Chambliss on August 1, 2009, last accessed August 16, 2015 or during collisions that would try to force a load into the cab.

Specifications

The first generation Ridgeline has a cargo bed which can be extended to with the tailgate down.2006 Honda Ridgeline Specifications, hondanews.com, dated February 2, 2005, last accessed January 17, 2018 The bed's width between the wheel-wells is and at its widest points. It includes the "industry's first"Honda Ridgeline Truck Unveiled at 2005 North American International Auto Show, Hondanews.com, dated January 10, 2005, last accessed September 4, 2015 lockable, watertight, and drainable in-bed trunk at the rear of the bed. The cabin can accommodate five adults with of under-seat storage in the second row or when the rear 60/40 split bench seat's bottom cushions are folded up.2006 Honda Ridgeline introduction (part 4 of 4), Ridgeline's Chief Engineer (Gary Flint) introduces the Ridgeline, YouTube, by The Temple of VTEC, posted by Jeff Chambliss on August 1, 2009, last accessed August 16, 2015 It has of ground clearance with approach, departure, and breakover angles of 24.5º, 22º, and 21º respectively.

The first generation Ridgeline has a weight distribution of 58/42 (front/rear) with a total payload capacity ranging from to , depending on trim level, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of and a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of . The steel-reinforced SMC bed is designed to handle loads of up to 2006 Ridgeline Owner's Manual, techinfo.Honda.com, dated 2005/2006, last accessed September 9, 2018 and has six (2006–2008 models) or eight (2009–2014 models) tie down cleats in a high/low configuration rated at each. The Ridgeline's bed is also equipped with four bed lights—one integrated into each C-pillar and one in each side-panel at the rear of the bed—that is designed to provide a minimum of ten lux of illuminance throughout the bed. According to Honda, the bed's dimensions, equipment placement, and indentations—what Honda calls guides—were designed with the hauling of off-road motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles in mind. Additionally, the forward section of the passenger-side bed wall has a hidden auxiliary tire mount that can accommodate a compact or full-size spare tire for times when access to the spare tire service tray, via the in-bed trunk, is impractical. Inside the in-bed trunk are integrated cargo hooks and organizer slots to help manage up to of material. The tailgate has a dual-action hinging system that allows it to be laid-down in the traditional manner or be swung open either 30º or 80º to the side. When laid-down, the tailgate's asymmetrical cantilevered design can support dynamic loads of up to . When equipped with a roof rack, the roof is designed to handle loads of to , depending on model year.2007 Ridgeline Owner's Manual, Honda Owners Website, Owner's Manual and Warranty Booklet, last accessed November 1, 2015

Honda lists a towing capacity for the Ridgeline while accommodating a tongue weight and an additional for people and gear. All models were equipped with Honda's dual-mode 130 ampere (A) alternator, were pre-wired for an electric trailer brake controller, and a seven-pin capable trailer wiring harness.Smart Charging, Smart charging systems can be divided into two charging strategies: voltage-based charging or amperage-based charging., Vehicle Service Pros, by Jeff Taylor, dated 30 July 2021, last accessed 17 January 2025 Also, depending on trim level and model year, a class III tow hitch with a four-pin flat and seven-pin blade or just a seven-pin blade trailer connection was either standard equipment or dealer installed options.2007 Honda Ridgeline Adds New RTX Trim Level with Standard Towing Equipment, New colors and features highlight changes to this award-winning truck, Hondanews.com, dated August 24, 2006, last accessed August 3, 20182009 Honda Ridgeline Adds Power, New Look and More Standard Equipment, Hondanews.com, dated August 7, 2008, last accessed August 3, 2018