Why a normal 2027 model is uncertain, what happens to current production, and what Honda has confirmed about the third-generation truck

Ridgeline status	Current information
2027 model officially announced?	No. Honda has not announced a conventional 2027 Ridgeline model-year lineup.
Current truck	The 2026 Ridgeline remains the latest confirmed production model.
Production timing	Honda plans to pause production of the current truck later in 2026.
Original pause report	Approximately 18 months, reportedly related to future emissions compliance.
New official plan	Honda has confirmed a third-generation Ridgeline will reach the market within two years.
Design direction	More rugged styling and improved capability for recreational pickup buyers.
Engineering locations	Designed in Southern California and engineered in Ohio.
Production site	Lincoln, Alabama, where the current Ridgeline is built.
Expected arrival	By 2028 based on Honda’s current two-year window.
Price and engine	Not announced.

The direct answer A conventional 2027 Ridgeline is unlikely to be a major new model. Honda will pause production of the current generation later in 2026 while preparing a third-generation truck expected by 2028. Remaining 2026 inventory may still be sold during 2027, but Honda has not confirmed a separate 2027 model-year lineup.

Honda Ridgeline 2027 searches now lead to a changing story. Early reports described an 18-month production pause followed by a heavily refreshed truck, but Honda has since confirmed development of a full third-generation Ridgeline that will come to market within two years. That makes the 2027 calendar year more likely to be a transition period than a normal launch year.

The distinction between calendar year and model year matters. Dealers may continue selling new 2026 Ridgelines during part of 2027, especially if Honda builds inventory before the production pause. That does not automatically mean those trucks will be labeled as 2027 models.

Why Is Honda Pausing Ridgeline Production?

The original report said Honda planned to stop production in the fourth quarter of 2026 for roughly 18 months because the current powertrain would not meet upcoming emissions requirements. The current Ridgeline uses an older version of Honda’s 3.5-liter SOHC V6 rather than the newer DOHC V6 found in the latest Pilot and Passport.

The supplied Car and Driver production-pause report explained that a refreshed truck was initially expected in late 2028 with updated styling and a newer V6. It also reported that a later hybrid-based generation was being considered for the early 2030s.

What changed after the original report? Honda later made an official announcement confirming that the next truck will be the third-generation Ridgeline, not merely a routine facelift. The latest official statement is more important than earlier speculation about the extent of the update.

What Honda Has Officially Confirmed

Honda says the third-generation Ridgeline is under development and will reach the market within two years. The company promises a more rugged design and improved capabilities while continuing to focus on recreational truck buyers.

Honda’s official third-generation Ridgeline announcement states that design work will be led by the Southern California studio, engineering will take place in Ohio, and production will return to the Lincoln, Alabama plant. Honda has not yet published engine, towing, payload, pricing, or trim details.

Confirmed	Not confirmed	Why it matters
Third-generation Ridgeline	Exact model year	The truck may arrive as a 2028 or later model
More rugged design	Final exterior styling	Concept language may change before production
Improved capability	Towing, payload, and ground clearance	Buyers should not rely on unofficial numbers
US design and engineering	Powertrain	V6, hybrid, and transmission details remain open
Alabama production	Price and trim lineup	Dealer estimates are not official

Will There Be a True 2027 Ridgeline?

Honda has not confirmed one. The current 2026 model is expected to end production later in 2026, and the next generation is targeted within a two-year window. That creates several possibilities: Honda could sell remaining 2026 inventory through 2027, use a short carryover model year, or skip directly to the next-generation truck.

The safest statement is that a redesigned 2027 Ridgeline is not confirmed. Listings that show exact 2027 prices, horsepower, fuel economy, or release dates should be treated as placeholders unless they cite a Honda press release or official configurator.

What Could Change on the Next Ridgeline?

Honda’s emphasis on rugged design and capability suggests a more upright body, stronger visual separation from the Pilot, and more serious TrailSport equipment. The current truck’s unibody construction, independent suspension, dual-action tailgate, and lockable in-bed trunk are central to its identity and are likely to influence the next model.

Area	Reasonable expectation	Confidence
Exterior	Boxier and more rugged styling	High, based on Honda’s wording
Platform	Updated unibody truck architecture	Moderate
Engine	Newer Honda V6 or electrified powertrain	Low to moderate
Hybrid option	Possible but not confirmed	Low
Towing	Potential increase from the current 5,000 pounds	Low
TrailSport	More capable suspension, tires, and protection	Moderate
Interior	Newer screens, controls, and driver-assistance technology	Moderate

What Will Happen to the Current Ridgeline?

The 2026 Ridgeline should remain available while dealer inventory lasts. Honda may build additional units before the pause, but the company has not publicly stated how much stock it intends to carry.

Limited supply can affect pricing in two directions. Dealers may discount aging inventory when the replacement becomes visible, or desirable trims may become harder to find and hold their price when production has stopped. Local supply will matter more than a national estimate.

Should You Buy a 2026 Ridgeline or Wait?

Buyer situation	Best move	Reason
Need a truck within one year	Buy a 2026	The next model may not reach dealers until 2028
Want proven comfort and utility	Buy a 2026	Current truck has a mature drivetrain and well-known features
Need higher towing or tougher off-road hardware	Wait or compare rivals	Honda has promised improved capability but not numbers
Want a hybrid pickup	Wait, but remain cautious	Hybrid power is not officially confirmed
Prefer discounts over latest design	Watch remaining inventory	Transition periods can create incentives
Want the newest technology	Wait	The third generation should bring a newer cabin and electronics

The current Ridgeline remains unusual in a positive way. It rides more comfortably than body-on-frame midsize trucks, has a wide composite bed, offers secure in-bed storage, and works well as a family vehicle. Its main limits are 5,000-pound towing capacity, moderate ground clearance, and less aggressive trail capability than a Tacoma, Colorado, Ranger, or Frontier.

Expected Price

Honda has not announced pricing for the third-generation truck. A modest carryover 2027 model, if one appears, would likely remain near current Ridgeline pricing. A fully redesigned next-generation model could start higher because of new technology, stronger capability, and development costs.

Price scenario	Editorial estimate	Confidence
Carryover 2027 model	$42,000 to $49,000	Low
Next-generation base truck	$44,000 to $47,000	Low
Next-generation TrailSport	$48,000 to $52,000	Low
Top trim	$51,000 to $56,000	Low

Do not place a nonrefundable deposit based on unofficial details Honda has not opened a public reservation program for the next Ridgeline. Get every dealer promise in writing and confirm whether a deposit is refundable before paying.

How the Future Ridgeline Could Fit the Market

The midsize truck segment has become more competitive. The Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, and Jeep Gladiator all emphasize rugged styling and trail capability. Honda’s next truck needs a tougher image without abandoning the comfort and everyday usefulness that distinguish the Ridgeline.

A successful redesign would keep the in-bed trunk, dual-action tailgate, flat cabin floor, and car-like ride while improving towing, off-road geometry, cooling, and powertrain efficiency. That balance is more important than simply making the truck look boxier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2027 Honda Ridgeline canceled?

Honda has not announced a conventional 2027 model. Current production will pause, but Honda has confirmed that a third-generation Ridgeline is coming within two years.

When will the new Ridgeline arrive?

Honda’s official timeline points to an arrival by 2028, although the exact model year and sale date are not confirmed.

Why is production stopping?

The original report linked the pause to future emissions compliance and the current truck’s older V6 powertrain.

Will the next Ridgeline be a hybrid?

Honda has not confirmed a hybrid system for the third generation.

Will it still have an in-bed trunk?

Honda has not released feature details, but the in-bed trunk is a defining Ridgeline feature and would be logical to retain.

Should I wait instead of buying a 2026?

Wait if you want the latest design and potentially stronger capability. Buy now if you need a comfortable, proven truck before 2028.

Final Verdict

The 2027 Honda Ridgeline is best understood as a transition story, not a confirmed new model. Honda will pause current production later in 2026 and has officially committed to a more rugged third-generation pickup within two years.

Buyers should ignore exact future specifications until Honda releases them. The reliable facts are that the Ridgeline will return, the next truck will be a new generation, and Honda intends to improve its design and capability while keeping it focused on recreational pickup customers.