Production of Honda Ridgeline Pausing Through 2028
Honda’s midsize truck to go on hiatus until a cleaner, more powerful hybrid powertrain arrives.
Honda will be pausing production of its Honda Ridgeline midsize pickup due to emissions issues. Despite the Trump administration’s EPA rollback of greenhouse gas rules, it appears that the Ridgeline’s V-6 engine pollutes too much to meet present regulations. According to a report from Automotive News (subscription required), the pause will begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and last for roughly 18 months.
0:00 / 0:00
Update 5/27: Honda responded further, but without totally confirming the report. This story has been updated.
Honda is one of six manufacturers who are still reportedly obligated to improve vehicle efficiency under California’s stricter emissions rules, which helps explain why the rollback of federal emissions regulations isn’t enough to keep the Ridgeline in production.
A heavily refreshed Ridgeline is expected by the third quarter of 2028, and it seems likely the pause will end just in time for the updated midsize pickup to get Honda’s all-new hybrid V-6 under the hood. Honda plans to launch the hybridized V-6 next year, and the Passport, Pilot, and Odyssey are all expected to get the option as well.
Not only would this hybrid V-6 improve efficiency, but it could also give the Ridgeline some extra power to better keep pace with the rest of the midsize pickup market. The Ridgeline’s present 3.5-liter V-6 develops 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque sent through an AWD powertrain, with a 5,000-pound towing capacity. That trails the Ford Ranger at 7,500 pounds, the Chevrolet Colorado at 7,700 pounds, and the Toyota Tacoma at 6,500 pounds.
We reached out to Honda, which did not originally respond in time for publication, but it told Automotive News that the Ridgeline will “continue to play an important role” in its lineup. In a late response to our inquiry, Honda gave use the same quote but also added: “The information in the article is not based on any announcements from Honda. We can’t comment on matters of speculation.”
Stay Ahead of the Curve.
Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox!
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
Read More
