Honda has confirmed it’s working on a new 2028 Honda Ridgeline ute for the US market, which will ditch the rugged ladder frame used in the 2027 Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. The Japanese carmaker has begun development of a new, third-generation Ridgeline pick-up that will be revealed within two years.
Production of the current Ridgeline is set to end later in 2026, resulting in a period where Honda won’t be producing any utes. The new Ridgeline will continue to be manufactured at Honda’s production facility in Alabama, US, alongside the Passport, Pilot, and Odyssey, using both domestic and globally made parts.
New Design and Engineering
Honda claims the new Ridgeline is already being designed at its styling studio in Southern California and will feature an “even more rugged design”. It’s also set to be engineered in Ohio. Ahead of the reveal, Honda has shown off a single teaser image that shows a shadowy front three-quarter angle.
No other details have been confirmed just yet, however, this new Ridgeline is expected to continue being built on a unibody platform, which typically prioritizes passenger comfort over outright payload capabilities. They expect the unibody platform to provide a smoother ride and better handling.
The new Ridgeline’s unibody platform may limit its payload capacity compared to top-selling utes in Australia, the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, which have a ladder-frame chassis and typically allow for a higher payload capacity and superior off-road capabilities.
Powertrain and Hybrid Option
Overseas reports indicate the new-generation Ridgeline will be powered by an updated version of Honda’s 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine. A hybrid powertrain with a new V6 engine and multiple electric motors is reportedly something that’s expected to launch in the early 2030s, bringing better fuel economy, torque, and towing capabilities.
Honda has offered two generations of the Ridgeline to date, and they have always been aimed at the North American market and produced in left-hand drive only. The fact that the Ridgeline has only been produced in left-hand drive makes an Australian launch more difficult, as a right-hand drive version would need to be engineered and developed.
Then Honda Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins stated in 2020 that the Ridgeline was strongly requested by dealers and customers. However, the lack of a right-hand drive version has been a significant barrier.
Comparison to Similar Vehicles
The new Ridgeline’s unibody platform and expected hybrid powertrain option may give it an edge in terms of fuel economy and towing capabilities compared to other utes in the US market. Its payload capacity may be limited compared to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, which have ladder-frame chassis.
It will be worth considering how the new Ridgeline will stack up against other vehicles in its class, particularly in terms of its design and engineering. Honda’s use of a unibody platform may provide a smoother ride and better handling, but it may also limit the vehicle’s off-road capabilities.
The new Ridgeline is expected to be revealed within two years, and it will be interesting to see how it compares to other utes in the US market, such as those with car sales trends.
With its updated design and expected hybrid powertrain option, the new Ridgeline may appeal to customers looking for a vehicle that combines passenger comfort with towing capabilities, a trend also seen in electric off road vehicles.
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