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The midsize pickup segment has become one of the most competitive corners of the U.S. auto market, with trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, and Nissan Frontier battling for buyers looking for capability without the size of a full-size pickup. Now, Honda is preparing to strengthen its place in that market with a redesigned Ridgeline.
The automaker has officially confirmed that a third-generation Honda Ridgeline is in development and will continue to be built in the United States. While the company is keeping most details under wraps, it has released a teaser image and shared enough information to signal that the next truck will be more than a routine refresh.
The announcement also puts to rest speculation about the Ridgeline’s future. Reports had suggested the pickup’s production might end after the current model because of regulatory challenges, but Honda says the pause will be temporary as it prepares its Alabama factory for the next generation.
What Honda Has Confirmed So Far
Honda says the new Ridgeline will be designed at its Southern California styling studio, while engineering work is being handled at the company’s development center in Raymond, Ohio. Like the current model, the truck will be built exclusively at Honda’s manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Alabama.
Production of the current Ridgeline will pause later this year before the redesigned truck enters production. Honda expects assembly to resume within the next two years, with reports indicating the next-generation model is likely to arrive around 2028.
Honda has also promised a more rugged direction for the pickup. Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda, said the next Ridgeline will build on the truck’s two-decade history while offering “even more rugged design and capabilities” aimed at recreational truck buyers.
A Tougher Truck Without Losing Its Identity
Although Honda hasn’t revealed specifications, the teaser image suggests the next Ridgeline will feature a squarer, more truck-like appearance while retaining its familiar four-door layout. Observers note that the redesign appears evolutionary rather than a complete departure from the current model.
Honda has not confirmed what will power the new pickup, but it also hasn’t ruled out significant mechanical changes. Company executives declined to say whether the Ridgeline will move from its current car-based construction to a traditional body-on-frame design used by most rival midsize trucks. Previous industry speculation has also pointed to the possibility of a hybrid powertrain replacing the current 3.5-liter V6, though Honda has not confirmed that change.
The company has likewise stayed quiet about interior updates and technology, though the redesigned truck is expected to continue offering the features that have helped distinguish the Ridgeline, including its focus on everyday comfort, practical storage, and on-road drivability. For now, Honda says more details will be announced closer to launch.
Why the Timing Matters
Honda’s announcement comes as the company is enjoying strong momentum elsewhere in its lineup. Through the first half of 2026, the Honda CR-V became the best-selling vehicle in the United States for the first time, helped in part by production disruptions affecting the Ford F-Series and Toyota RAV4. The CR-V sold more than 226,000 units by midyear, surpassing the Ford F-150 and widening Honda’s lead in the U.S. sales rankings.
The Ridgeline occupies a much smaller slice of Honda’s business. The company has sold roughly 41,000 to 52,000 Ridgelines annually in recent years, well below the Toyota Tacoma, which remains the segment’s sales leader. Sales of the Ridgeline also slipped slightly during the first half of 2026, giving Honda another reason to reinvigorate the model with a more capable design.
By confirming the Ridgeline’s future while keeping production in Alabama, Honda is signaling that it intends to remain a competitor in the midsize truck market. Whether the redesigned pickup can win over buyers who typically favor more traditional trucks will depend on the details still to come, but the company has made one thing clear: the Ridgeline isn’t going anywhere.