2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport: Honda’s Ridgeline has always blurred the lines between truck and SUV, and the 2026 model year solidifies its role as a gateway to the Pilot SUV family. Sharing the same unibody platform as the Pilot, the Ridgeline TrailSport brings enhanced off-road capability while maintaining the smooth, car-like ride that appeals to crossover shoppers venturing into truck territory. With minor updates like an exclusive new color and refined styling, our test of the TrailSport trim—covering highways, city streets, and light trails—revealed a versatile hauler that’s more refined than traditional body-on-frame pickups. If you’re eyeing a do-everything vehicle with Pilot-inspired comfort, this could be your pick. Here’s the full scoop.
Exterior Design: Rugged Refinement with Off-Road Edge
The 2026 Ridgeline TrailSport amps up its adventure-ready aesthetics on the familiar unibody chassis, measuring 210.2 inches long with 7.6 inches of ground clearance. It borrows Pilot SUV cues like a high-strength steel frame for better rigidity and a smoother ride, but adds truck-specific toughness.
Key exterior features include:
- LED Lighting Suite: Auto-on/off LED headlights, fog lights, and daytime running lights for superior visibility.
- Grille and Cladding: Exclusive TrailSport grille with orange accents, plus blacked-out wheel arches and skid plates for protection.
- Wheels and Tires: 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, paired with an off-road-tuned suspension for better articulation.
- Dual-Action Tailgate: Opens down or swings sideways for easy access; integrated with a lockable in-bed trunk.
- Roof Rails: Standard, supporting crossbars for gear like kayaks or bikes.
In our drives, the TrailSport’s steel oil pan guard shrugged off rocky paths, and the design’s angular lines echoed the Pilot’s modern vibe while standing out in urban settings. Durability is key—no dings after trail testing.
2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport Interior Design: Pilot-Inspired Comfort Meets Truck Utility
Inside, the Ridgeline TrailSport feels like an extension of the Pilot SUV, offering 109.7 cubic feet of passenger space and a versatile cabin with premium touches. Sustainable materials and soft-touch surfaces create a welcoming environment for five.
Standout interior elements:
- Seating: Heated front seats with orange stitching; 60/40 split rear seats that lift up for under-seat storage.
- Upholstery: Leather-trimmed with all-weather floor mats; 10-way power driver’s seat with memory.
- Dashboard Layout: Driver-centric with a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and physical knobs for ease.
- Storage Solutions: Massive center console, wireless charging pad, and tri-zone climate control.
- Noise Reduction: Acoustic glass and active noise cancellation for a quiet, Pilot-like ride.
Over our evaluation, the spacious rear legroom (36.7 inches) rivaled SUVs, and the intuitive setup minimized fatigue on long hauls. Minor gripe: Some plastics feel mid-grade compared to luxury rivals.
2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport Key Features: Power, Tech, and Safety Synergy
The 2026 Ridgeline TrailSport leverages Pilot-shared tech for a refined experience, with standard AWD and a focus on versatility.
Powertrain and Performance
- Engine: 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
- Efficiency: 18 mpg city/23 highway—solid for a V6 truck.
- Drive Modes: Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud settings; 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds.
Infotainment and Connectivity
- 9-Inch Touchscreen: Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, over-the-air updates, and built-in navigation.
- Audio: 8-speaker premium system with SiriusXM and HD Radio.
- HondaLink: App integration for remote start, location tracking, and service alerts.
Safety Suite
Honda Sensing is standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, blind-spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alert. The TrailSport adds front/rear parking sensors for tight maneuvers.
Testing highlighted the V6’s smooth power and the suspension’s composure on uneven terrain, making it a natural step from Pilot ownership.
Color Options: Fresh Hues for Adventure
The 2026 Ridgeline offers a range of colors, with TrailSport exclusives adding flair. Two-tone options appear on higher trims.
- Ash Green Metallic (TrailSport-exclusive)
- Modern Steel Metallic
- Platinum White Pearl
- Crystal Black Pearl
- Radiant Red Metallic
- Sonic Gray Pearl (with black roof option on Black Edition)
- Lunar Silver Metallic
Our TrailSport in Ash Green held up against elements, with Honda’s clearcoat resisting fade.
Variants and Price Range
The 2026 Ridgeline lineup includes four trims, all with the V6, AWD, and crew cab/short bed config. Prices are U.S. MSRP (excluding ~$1,350 destination).
| Trim | Starting Price | Key Highlights | MPG (City/Hwy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | $41,545 | 18-inch wheels, cloth seats, basic Honda Sensing | 18/23 |
| RTL | $44,000 | Leather seats, moonroof, power sliding rear window | 18/23 |
| TrailSport | $46,375 | All-terrain tires, off-road suspension, orange accents | 18/23 |
| Black Edition | $47,845 | 18-inch black wheels, blacked-out styling, premium audio | 18/23 |
The TrailSport strikes a balance at $46,375, with options pushing it to $48,000+.
How It Stacks Up: Comparison to Key Competitors
The Ridgeline TrailSport competes in the midsize truck segment, emphasizing comfort over max towing. Here’s how it fares against off-road-oriented rivals like the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road, Ford Ranger FX4, and Chevy Colorado ZR2.
| Model | Starting Price | Combined HP | MPG (City/Hwy) | Max Towing (lbs) | Ground Clearance (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport | $46,375 | 280 | 18/23 | 5,000 | 7.6 |
| 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road | $42,000 | 278 | 19/23 | 6,500 | 9.4 |
| 2025 Ford Ranger FX4 | $40,000 | 270 | 20/24 | 7,500 | 8.8 |
| 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2 | $48,000 | 310 | 16/19 | 6,000 | 10.7 |
While rivals offer more ground clearance and towing, the Ridgeline’s Pilot-derived ride makes it the comfiest for daily use.
The Good, The Bad, and Our Verdict
Pros
- Comfortable Ride: Car-like handling from unibody design, ideal for Pilot fans.
- Versatile Storage: In-bed trunk and flat bed excel for gear-hauling.
- Spacious Cabin: Roomiest in class with premium features.
- Strong Safety: Comprehensive Honda Sensing suite.
- Fuel Efficiency: Tops many V6 trucks in real-world mpg.
Cons
- Limited Towing: 5,000 lbs max trails competitors.
- No Power Boost: Lacks a high-output variant for thrill-seekers.
- Conservative Styling: Interior materials could be more upscale.
- Body Style Restriction: Only crew cab/short bed available.
- Off-Road Limits: Not as hardcore as dedicated trail trucks.
In summary, the 2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport bridges the gap to the Pilot SUV world, offering truck utility with crossover refinement. It’s not for heavy-duty work, but for families wanting versatility without the rough ride, it’s a winner. Test one if you’re upgrading from a Pilot—Honda’s gateway just got more appealing.
