2027 Honda Ridgeline Release Date: Next Gen in 2028 – There is no 2027 Honda Ridgeline. Honda is ending production of the current second-generation model later in 2026 and has confirmed a third-generation Ridgeline will arrive within two years—targeting the U.S. market around late 2028.
American buyers looking for the next Ridgeline will face a production gap of roughly 18 months. Here’s the latest from trusted sources including Honda announcements, Car and Driver, Automotive News, and Autoweek.
Why There Is No 2027 Honda Ridgeline?
The current Ridgeline (model years 2017–2026) uses an aging 3.5-liter V6 that does not meet upcoming stricter emissions standards. Honda will pause production at its Lincoln, Alabama plant in the fourth quarter of 2026.
During the hiatus, the plant will focus on higher-volume models such as the Pilot, Passport, and Odyssey. Honda has confirmed the next Ridgeline will return as a third-generation truck with a more rugged design and improved capabilities, still built in Alabama.
Expected 2028 Honda Ridgeline Release Timeline
Honda stated the redesigned Ridgeline will reach the market “within two years” of its July 2026 confirmation. That points to a late-2028 on-sale date for the 2029 model year in the United States, though some reports reference a 2028 model-year launch.
The truck is being styled at Honda’s Southern California design studio and engineered at the Auto Development Center in Ohio. Production will resume at the same Alabama facility that builds the current Ridgeline.
Honda released a silhouette teaser showing a boxier, more traditional truck-like profile with a flatter hood and upright windshield compared with the outgoing crossover-inspired design.
What to Expect from the Next-Generation Ridgeline?
- Design: Honda emphasizes “an even more rugged design” while keeping the focus on recreational truck buyers. Expect a tougher exterior that draws inspiration from the latest Passport and Pilot, while retaining signature features such as the dual-action tailgate and In-Bed Trunk.
- Powertrain: Reports point to a revised V6 that meets new emissions rules. A hybrid V6 system (V6 paired with up to three electric motors) is under development for Honda’s midsize vehicles starting around 2027 and is widely expected for the Ridgeline, potentially improving fuel economy by more than 30% and acceleration by over 10%. It is unclear whether the hybrid arrives at launch or later.
- Platform and capability: The Ridgeline will almost certainly remain a unibody design shared with Honda’s large SUVs rather than switching to body-on-frame. Expect continued car-like ride quality with possible gains in towing, payload, and off-road ability, especially in TrailSport form.
- Pricing: Current 2026 models start around $40,800. The next generation is expected to command a higher starting price reflecting the redesign and any hybrid technology.
Current 2026 Ridgeline Availability for U.S. Buyers
While new 2027 inventory will not exist, dealers still have 2026 Ridgelines available. Trims range from Sport to TrailSport and Black Edition, all with standard all-wheel drive, the 280-hp V6, 9-speed automatic, up to 5,000 lbs towing, and the unique in-bed storage. Fuel economy is rated at about 18 city / 24 highway mpg on most versions.
Shoppers who need a Ridgeline sooner should act on remaining 2026 stock before production ends.
Bottom Line for American Buyers
The 2027 Honda Ridgeline does not exist. Honda is using the production pause to deliver a properly updated third-generation truck expected in late 2028 with a more rugged look and likely hybrid efficiency gains. Until then, the 2026 model remains the last of the second generation. Check with local Honda dealers for remaining inventory and follow official Honda announcements for the exact debut date of the next Ridgeline.