July 15, 2026 | Honda News

The new Honda Ridgeline tows up to 2,267 kg, runs on a 280 hp V6, and ships with standard AWD on every trim. For Metro Vancouver drivers who want genuine truck capability without giving up a comfortable daily commute, that combination is hard to ignore. As of this year, Honda has sharpened the lineup with updated trims and a unibody design that rides far more like an SUV than a traditional body-on-frame pickup.

If you've been watching the Ridgeline and wondering what the latest model year brings to Canadian buyers, this guide covers the full trim lineup, powertrain details, cargo innovations, and why this midsize pickup suits drivers in Greater Vancouver so well. Carter Honda on Burrard Street has been helping Vancouver buyers find the right Honda since 1974, and the Ridgeline remains one of the most requested models on the lot.

What the 2026 Honda Ridgeline Brings to Vancouver Drivers

Honda kept the core formula intact and sharpened the details for the latest model year. The Ridgeline carries forward its proven 3.5-litre Direct Injection SOHC i-VTEC V6 engine, producing up to 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. That engine pairs with a 9-speed automatic transmission featuring Shift-by-Wire and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The headline update is the expanded trim structure. Canadian buyers can now choose from the Sport, TrailSport, and Black Edition, with Honda also offering a Black Edition Two-Tone variant. Each trim ships with i-VTM4 intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD as standard equipment, meaning every Ridgeline on the lot is ready for rain, snow, and gravel without an upgrade.

Standard AWD on Every Trim

This matters in Vancouver. The i-VTM4 system uses torque vectoring to deliver power where grip is available, adjusting in real time as conditions change. Think about the drive from North Vancouver up to Cypress Mountain on a wet November morning. Or the Sea-to-Sky Highway in February, where rain at sea level turns to slush near Squamish. Standard AWD removes the guesswork from trim selection entirely.

The system also includes Intelligent Traction Management with four selectable drive modes: Normal, Snow, Sand, and Mud. Heading to a trailhead near Pemberton after spring runoff? Switch to Mud mode. Driving the Coquihalla in January? Snow mode adjusts throttle response and traction control to keep things stable.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Trim Lineup Breakdown

Sport

The Sport trim anchors the lineup. It rolls on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and includes LED headlights with daytime running lights, projector low beams, and automatic high beams. Inside, you get a 9-inch touchscreen centre display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support, heated front seats, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. Honda Sensing is standard here, covering collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, blind spot information, cross traffic monitor, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, and auto high beam.

The Sport suits Vancouver commuters who want a pickup's cargo flexibility without the heavy off-road gear. It handles the run from Richmond to downtown with ease and still loads kayaks for a Buntzen Lake weekend.

TrailSport

For buyers who spend more weekends on forest service roads than city streets, the TrailSport builds on the Sport with trail-focused enhancements. This trim is built for BC's backcountry, logging roads near Harrison Lake, trails around Squamish, the kind of terrain where you actually need the capability you're paying for.

Honda Performance Development (HPD) also appears in the lineup as a TrailSport variant with HPD wheels, offering a visual and functional upgrade for drivers who want their Ridgeline to stand apart at the trailhead. The HPD connection traces back to the Honda motorsport heritage, bringing race-developed design language to a production truck.

Black Edition and Black Edition Two-Tone

The Black Edition takes the Ridgeline up a notch. Dark exterior styling, premium interior appointments, and a distinctive presence set it apart. The Two-Tone variant adds a contrasting colour treatment for buyers who want something visually striking in the Carter Honda showroom.

Both Black Edition variants carry the same mechanical foundation: the 3.5L V6, 9-speed automatic, and i-VTM4 AWD. The difference is aesthetic and trim-level comfort features. For Vancouver buyers who want a pickup that looks sharp parked on West 4th Avenue and still handles a Home Depot lumber run, the Black Edition delivers.

Tow Capacity and Real-World Ridgeline Performance

Available towing capacity reaches 2,267 kg, enough for a small boat trailer headed to the Horseshoe Bay launch or a utility trailer loaded with landscaping supplies. The 9-speed automatic keeps the engine in its power band during climbs, and the paddle shifters give you manual control on steep descents, which is genuinely useful on the switchbacks heading down from Manning Park.

The 3.5-litre V6 with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) balances power and fuel efficiency. VCM deactivates cylinders during light-load cruising, such as Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley at a steady pace. Honda lists combined fuel economy at 11.5-11.6 L/100 km, which is competitive for a midsize pickup with permanent all-wheel drive. You can review the full Ridgeline specifications on Honda Canada's official Ridgeline page.

Fully Independent Suspension

Here's where the Honda Ridgeline genuinely separates itself. A fully independent front- and rear-suspension delivers ride quality that traditional body-on-frame pickups struggle to match. The unibody construction means less vibration on the highway, a quieter cabin on long drives, and sharper handling through the curves along Marine Drive. For a vehicle that doubles as a daily driver and a weekend hauler, that's a meaningful advantage.

Cargo Features That Solve Real Problems

The Lockable In-Bed Trunk

Underneath the bed floor sits the lockable In-Bed Trunk, a weatherproof, secure storage compartment. Toss wet ski boots in after a day at Grouse Mountain. Store tools overnight without worrying about theft. Keep groceries cool and hidden during a stop at Granville Island before heading home.

The In-Bed Trunk changes how you think about truck-bed organization. It's not a gimmick; it's genuinely useful storage that most midsize pickups don't offer.

Dual-Action Stamped Tailgate

The tailgate swings down traditionally or hinges open to the side like a door. Loading heavy items? Drop it down. Grabbing a single bag from the bed at a tight parking spot on Commercial Drive? Swing it open—small detail, significant daily convenience.

Additional Practical Features

A few more cargo touches round out the package:

• Available 150W and 400W truck-bed power outlets for tools, lights, or charging devices at a campsite
• 60/40 lift-up rear seats that create a hidden, flat-floor storage area inside the cabin
• Dual chrome exhaust finishers that maintain a polished look from the rear
• LED fog lights for visibility during Vancouver's frequent overcast mornings

Safety and Technology on the 2026 Ridgeline

Honda Sensing comes standard across the entire Ridgeline lineup. Every trim includes:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Blind Spot Information (BSI)
• Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM)
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Auto High Beam

For Vancouver driving specifically, Blind Spot Information earns its keep daily. Lane changes on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge during rush hour, merging onto Highway 1 from the Cassiar connector, checking your flanks on the narrow lanes of the Lions Gate Bridge, BSI provides alerts that complement your mirror checks.

HondaLink Connected Services keep you linked to your vehicle remotely. Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation with bilingual Voice Recognition helps on unfamiliar logging roads or new neighbourhoods in Surrey and Langley. The available premium audio system with eight speakers and a subwoofer makes long drives to the Okanagan genuinely comfortable.

Why Vancouver Buyers Choose the Ridgeline

The Ridgeline answers a question that many Metro Vancouver residents face: how do you get truck utility without the compromises of a full-size pickup? Street parking in Kitsilano is tight. Parkades in downtown Vancouver have height restrictions. Fuel economy matters when gas prices fluctuate.

The midsize footprint, car-like ride, and genuine hauling capability hit that intersection. Carter Honda, rated 4.5 stars across 1,400-plus Google reviews and recognized as DealerRater Dealer of the Year in 2021 and 2022, has a team that can walk you through each trim in person. Staff assist customers in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Farsi, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, reflecting the diversity of the communities across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, and North Vancouver.

Ready to see the Honda Ridgeline up close? Browse the current Honda Ridgeline inventory at Carter Honda or explore other models like the Honda Pilot and Honda Passport while you're here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Honda Ridgeline available as a hybrid?

For the latest model year, it uses a 3.5-litre Direct Injection V6 producing up to 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. A hybrid variant isn't currently offered in this model. Honda does offer hybrid powertrains in other models, including the CR-V Hybrid, Civic Hybrid, and Accord Hybrid, all available at Carter Honda. If fuel efficiency is your top concern, the Variable Cylinder Management system deactivates cylinders during light cruising to conserve fuel.

What is the towing capacity of the 2026 Honda Ridgeline?

Available towing capacity reaches 2,267 kg, which handles small boat trailers, utility trailers, and recreational equipment common among BC outdoor enthusiasts. The 9-speed automatic transmission keeps the V6 in its optimal power range during towing, and the i-VTM4 AWD system provides stable traction on boat ramps and gravel staging areas. Contact Carter Honda for details on specific towing configurations and accessories that complement your hauling needs.

What trims are available in Canada for the 2026 model year?

Canadian buyers can choose from the Sport, TrailSport, and Black Edition, with a Black Edition Two-Tone variant also in the lineup. Every trim includes standard i-VTM4 AWD and the Honda Sensing safety suite. The TrailSport and its HPD Wheels variant lean toward off-road capability, while the Black Edition focuses on premium styling. Each shares the same 3.5L V6 and 9-speed automatic drivetrain, so the choice comes down to features and aesthetics rather than mechanical differences.

What is the In-Bed Trunk and why does it matter?

The lockable In-Bed Trunk is a weatherproof storage compartment built into the truck bed floor. It sits below the bed surface and locks securely, keeping valuables, tools, or wet gear hidden and protected. The In-Bed Trunk is a distinctive feature of the Ridgeline, offering secure, weatherproof below-bed storage that most midsize pickups lack. For Vancouver drivers juggling ski gear, camping supplies, and everyday cargo, it eliminates the need for a separate toolbox or tonneau cover to keep items safe.

How does the AWD system handle Vancouver's rainy conditions?

The i-VTM4 system is standard on every Ridgeline trim. It uses torque vectoring to distribute power to the wheels with the most grip, continuously adjusting as road conditions change. Vancouver sees roughly 160 rainy days per year, and the system responds to wet pavement, standing water, and slippery conditions without driver input. Intelligent Traction Management adds selectable modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud, covering seasonal shifts and weekend trail conditions throughout British Columbia.

What safety features come standard on the 2026 Ridgeline?

Honda Sensing is standard across every trim for the latest model year. The suite covers Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Information, Cross Traffic Monitor, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, and Auto High Beam. These systems work together to provide active safety monitoring during highway merges, urban stop-and-go traffic, and low-visibility conditions common during Vancouver's overcast winters. The Eco Assist system and Honda idle-stop round out the standard technology package.

Disclaimer: Content contained in this post is for informational purposes only and may include features and options from US or international models. Please contact the dealership for more information or to confirm vehicle and feature availability.

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