Is the Honda Ridgeline a half-ton?
No. The Honda Ridgeline is not classified as a half-ton pickup. It is a mid-size, unibody pickup with a payload of roughly 1,500 pounds and a towing capacity around 5,000 pounds, depending on configuration.
The question often comes up because “half-ton” is a traditional label used to describe light-duty pickups. Classic half-ton trucks are typically body-on-frame, full-size pickups with higher payload and towing capabilities. The Ridgeline, by contrast, uses a unibody chassis and crossover-derived engineering, which influences its overall capability. Here’s a closer look at where the Ridgeline sits in the truck landscape and what it offers.
Where the Ridgeline fits in the truck landscape
Before listing, it helps to understand how mid-size, unibody pickups differ from traditional half-ton and full-size trucks, and what that means for payload, ride quality, and cargo features.
- Classification: The Ridgeline is a mid-size, unibody pickup rather than a body-on-frame full-size "half-ton" truck.
- Payload range: Typical Ridgeline payload sits around 1,400–1,600 pounds, depending on trim and drivetrain.
- Towing range: When properly equipped, the Ridgeline can tow about 5,000 pounds, which is solid for a mid-size/unibody pickup but below many full-size half-ton trucks.
- Design trade-offs: Unibody construction and independent rear suspension deliver a smoother, carlike ride and added cabin comfort, but they limit payload and rugged off-road capability compared with traditional half-ton pickups.
Concluding: The Ridgeline's design and capabilities place it in a different category than true half-ton, body-on-frame trucks. It emphasizes daily usability, cargo versatility, and on-road comfort over heavyweight towing and payload figures.
Key specifications for recent Ridgeline models
Powertrain and drivetrain
The Ridgeline uses a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. In most trims, it features Honda’s Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) all-wheel-drive system, which distributes torque to the rear wheels as needed for traction.
Payload and towing capacity
Payload capacity typically ranges from about 1,400 to 1,600 pounds, depending on configuration. Maximum towing capacity is generally up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Chassis and bed features
Built on a unibody chassis with independent rear suspension, the Ridgeline prioritizes ride comfort. Its bed includes a 5-foot bed, a lockable in-bed trunk for additional storage, and a dual-action tailgate to facilitate loading in tight spaces.
Note: Specific figures can vary by model year, trim, and equipment. For exact numbers on a given vehicle, consult the official Honda specifications or the window sticker for that year.
Why this distinction matters for buyers
Understanding the classification helps buyers set expectations for capability, ride quality, and daily use. Mid-size unibody pickups like the Ridgeline are often preferred by buyers who want a comfortable family vehicle with practical cargo features and occasional light hauling, rather than the heavier towing and payload of a traditional full-size half-ton truck.
Summary
No, the Ridgeline is not a half-ton. It is a mid-size, unibody pickup with a payload around 1,500 pounds and a towing capacity near 5,000 pounds, offering a carlike ride and clever cargo features rather than the rugged, heavy-duty chassis of classic half-ton trucks.
