Production for the second-generation Honda Ridgeline is coming to an end, but it’s not goodbye forever. The automaker is pausing production to give the truck an updated powertrain and a fresh look before it restarts building a new one in a couple of years.
According to a new Automotive News report, Honda will halt Ridgeline production in the fourth quarter of this year and restart it in the third quarter of 2028. “People with knowledge of the plan” told the publication that the new V6 engine will be able to meet stricter emissions regulations.
The Ridgeline features Honda’s 3.5-liter J35Y6 V6 engine with single overhead cams, while the automaker’s latest V6, the J35Y8, has dual overhead cams and lacks VTEC. You will find the J35Y8 powering the Pilot and Passport.
Photo by: Honda
Honda is currently developing a new V6 engine that will become an integral part of the automaker’s next-generation hybrid system. The automaker says the new engines will have better fuel efficiency and improved full-throttle acceleration.
In place of the Ridgeline, Honda will reportedly increase production of the Odyssey and Passport. There were already rumors that the automaker had extended the Odyssey’s lifecycle until 2030, when a new one is expected to arrive.
The Passport, which isn’t a new model, received a major refresh for 2026 that has ignited sales for the rugged-looking crossover. Honda sold 14,045 Passports through the first quarter of 2026, up 20.1 percent. That’s compared to the 10,980 Ridgelines sold, which is also up, but by a much more modest 0.3 percent.
Despite the Ridgeline’s age and unique design compared to other mid-size trucks, the pickup has been a consistent seller. Sales for the pickup peaked 20 years ago, with Honda selling just over 50,000 first-generation pickups.
Honda sold 48,448 in 2025, an increase of 7.2 percent, but it does not sell as well as its competitors. The Toyota Tacoma, the segment’s best-seller, sold 274,638 examples last year.
Motor1’s Take: It is sad to see the Ridgeline end production, but we are glad it won’t be gone for long. Despite its unique design and differences, it’s the truck most people should buy, and clearly, Honda sees enough demand for it to keep it around, even if it goes on a short hiatus.
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