“The Honda Ridgeline has a surprisingly useful amount of features not available on other trucks. My favorite is the in-bed trunk; an impressive amount of weather-tight room. For a truck it sure drives and has comfort like a car.”
2018 Honda Ridgeline: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The main change for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline is a simpler trim lineup, with the RTS discontinued. Otherwise, this is a quiet carryover year following the 2017 redesign.
About the 2018 Honda Ridgeline
Second generation Ridgeline, second model year after the 2017 redesign.
Honda positions the Ridgeline as a midsize pickup for people who want truck usefulness without the rough, bouncy feel of a traditional body-on-frame truck. Its core appeal is everyday comfort, a roomy crew cab, clever cargo solutions like the dual-action tailgate and lockable In-Bed Trunk, and a strong V6. It fits buyers who haul weekend gear, home-improvement supplies, or small trailers, but spend most of their time driving on regular roads.
The lineup runs from the practical RT, with its dual-action tailgate and lockable In-Bed Trunk, to the leather-lined RTL and tech-focused RTL-T. The RTL-E adds the full safety suite and truck-bed audio, while the Black Edition pairs that equipment with black exterior details and a black-and-red cabin.
What changed, by category
Trim lineup
The RTS trim was dropped for 2018. The remaining Ridgeline lineup carries over without broad mechanical, styling, safety, or technology updates.
2018 Honda Ridgeline specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | 2WD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 18 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 25 mpg |
| Horsepower | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 3500 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 36.7 in | 36.7 in | 36.7 in | 36.7 in | 36.7 in | 36.7 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| Bluetooth | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| USB Ports | ||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2018 Honda Ridgeline redesigned?
No. The 2018 Ridgeline is the second model year of the generation introduced for 2017, so it carries over the same basic design with only a smaller trim-lineup change.
Which Ridgeline trim was discontinued for 2018?
The RTS trim was discontinued for 2018. That lineup change is the year's main update; the truck otherwise carries over without broad mechanical or equipment revisions.
Did the 2018 Honda Ridgeline get a new engine or transmission?
No. The 2018 Ridgeline keeps the 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic transmission used the year before.
Which 2018 Honda Ridgeline trims have the Honda Sensing safety suite?
The 2018 RTL-E and Black Edition have the Honda Sensing safety suite. These upper trims also include LED headlights with automatic high beams.
What is the difference between the 2018 Ridgeline RTL-T and RTL-E?
The RTL-T focuses on cabin technology, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and a right-side camera view. The RTL-E adds broader safety and convenience equipment, including the Honda Sensing suite, blind-spot and cross-traffic alerts, LED headlights, a moonroof, and truck-bed audio.
2018 Honda Ridgeline Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Honda Ridgeline.
4.3
2018 Honda Ridgeline
(634 reviews)
“Nice ride; good equipped. Limited back seat capacity. Big miss on storage in the cabin and tail gate lock.”
“This Vehicle rides like a Cadillac and performs like a truck, has many wonderful features and is more than you would expect from a smaller Truck”