“The seats are very comfortable just finished a vacation that required us to drive 5600 miles, was very comfortable inside for both of us and plenty of room with trunk in our pickup.”
2020 Honda Ridgeline: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline is a 9-speed automatic transmission on every trim. It is not a redesign, but it gets meaningful safety, technology, access, and lineup updates.
About the 2020 Honda Ridgeline
2nd generation, fourth model year, and the last version before the major 2021 styling refresh.
Honda positions the Ridgeline as the pickup for people who want real truck usefulness without giving up day-to-day comfort. Official material centers on its roomy 5-passenger cabin, clever bed design, dual-action tailgate, lockable In-Bed Trunk, V6 power, and easy-to-live-with technology. Compared with more traditional midsize trucks, the Ridgeline’s core identity is everyday drivability, family-friendly space, and unusually smart cargo solutions rather than extreme off-road hardware.
The Sport is the straightforward utility trim, with a V6, a dual-action tailgate, a lockable In-Bed Trunk, and modern smartphone connectivity. The RTL adds leather, heated front seats, and a moonroof, while the RTL-E brings navigation, upgraded audio, a bed power outlet, and extra driver-awareness features. The Black Edition tops the range with the RTL-E’s equipment plus black exterior accents, black leather with red stitching, and red cabin lighting.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
Every trim gets a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Honda’s driver-assistance safety suite becomes standard across the lineup.
Tech
Every trim gets an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Walk Away Auto Lock. The tailgate now power-locks and unlocks with the doors.
Structural
The rear doors open 11 degrees wider to make back-seat entry and exit easier.
Trim lineup
Honda simplifies the range to Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition, dropping the RT and RTL-T.
2020 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 |
| Transmission | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26 mpg | 24 mpg | 26 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Horsepower | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 7.3 cu-ft | 7.3 cu-ft | 7.3 cu-ft | 7.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.7 in | 36.7 in | 36.7 in | 36.7 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 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 Headlights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2020 Honda Ridgeline?
The biggest change is a 9-speed automatic transmission on every 2020 Honda Ridgeline trim. The truck keeps its 3.5-liter V6 and receives several equipment updates rather than a full redesign.
Was the 2020 Honda Ridgeline redesigned?
No, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline was not redesigned. It received a substantial equipment update and remained part of the second generation, with the major styling refresh arriving for 2021.
Which trims were dropped from the 2020 Honda Ridgeline lineup?
The RT and RTL-T trims were dropped for 2020. The lineup consists of Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition.
Does every 2020 Honda Ridgeline have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes, every 2020 Honda Ridgeline has an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These features became standard across the lineup for this model year.
What safety and access features changed on the 2020 Honda Ridgeline?
Honda’s driver-assistance safety suite became standard on every 2020 Ridgeline. The rear doors open 11 degrees wider, Walk Away Auto Lock extends to every trim, and the tailgate locks and unlocks with the doors.
2020 Honda Ridgeline Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Honda Ridgeline.
4.3
2020 Honda Ridgeline
(1,461 reviews)
“I love to drive this vehicle, it's comfortable easy to maneuver and has plenty of power on take off and for passing. Lots of storage.”
“Love the trunk in the truck bed for storage. Handles well, very comfortable ride. Towing and bed capacity a little low.”