Production stops this year. Starts again in 2028.
That’s the plan for the Ridgeline. Honda isn’t killing it permanently. Just hitting the brakes to fix the engine and maybe change the face on the truck before getting back to work.
According to Automotive News folks close to the plan the factory in Lincoln Alabama goes quiet in the fourth quarter of this calendar year. It wakes up in the third quarter of ’28. Why wait two years?
Regulations. The new V6 has to pass stricter emissions tests. It’s not just about being loud and proud anymore. It has to be clean too.
Swapping Out The Engine
The current Ridgeline runs the 3.5-liter J35Y6 V6. Single overhead cams. Older tech.
Honda’s newer V6 the J35Y8 is already out there powering the Pilot and Passport. It uses dual overhead cams. It dropped VTEC technology a while ago.
This next step isn’t just a swap though. It’s part of a broader strategy.
Honda is building a new hybrid system that integrates the engine differently.
They say it will accelerate faster when you pin it. It should sip fuel more politely too. This engine is integral to their next-gen hybrid setup so getting it right takes time. You can’t rush hybrid architecture.
Filling The Gap With SUVs
While the trucks are in a holding pattern Honda fills the production lines with other things. The Odyssey and the Passport are getting more air time.
Rumors said the Odyssey would hang on until 2030. Now it looks like that timeline is sticking. Production ramps up to keep the minivans flowing since there’s a lull until the next big generation arrives.
Then there’s the Passport. It got a facelift for 2026. Sales are up.
Really up.
- 14045 Passports sold in Q1 of 2026 (that’s a 20% jump).
- 10980 Ridgelines in the same period (only up 0.3%).
The numbers don’t lie. The crossover is eating lunch. Even with its weird design quirks and unique unibody frame the Ridgeline just doesn’t move as fast as the rugged SUV next to it.
Not Exactly A Sales Star
Don’t get it twisted. The Ridgeline hasn’t vanished. It peaked two decades ago selling over 50k first-gen units back then. Last year in 2025 Honda sold 48448 of them. A 7% bump. Respectable if you like underdogs.
But look at the competition.
The Toyota Tacoma is the boss of midsize trucks. They moved 274638 last year.
Do the math. The Ridgeline is a niche favorite. A cult classic. But it isn’t moving metal like Toyota is.
Does it matter? Probably.
Is it sad to see production pause? Yes.
Is it better to wait for the hybrid V6 fix? Arguably yes.
Honda sees enough demand to bring it back. That says something. They’re betting that people still want a unibody truck with in-bed storage even if they have to wait three years to drive it off the lot.
