Inside the 2028 Honda Ridgeline: Bold Redesign and Hybrid V6

Imagine pulling up to a trailhead in a truck that looks like it borrowed cues from Honda's newest adventure SUV. That is the image floating around the web as whispers grow louder about a 2028 refresh for the Ridgeline.

The story starts inconveniently for Honda. Earlier this year the company recalled about 880,000 vehicles across several models for a suspension defect affecting certain Pilot, Ridgeline, Passport and Acura MDX variants sold in 23 states plus Washington, DC. At the same time Honda is navigating the shock of writing down billions tied to halted EV programs, a move that has reshaped its near-term product priorities.

What Honda is quietly retooling for 2028

Here’s how the Ridgeline fits into that shuffle. Reports say production will pause in the fourth quarter and the truck will not reappear until the 2028 model year. This will not be a clean-sheet third generation. Instead, expect a significant mid-cycle makeover: sharper styling, refreshed interior tech and an updated powertrain lineup designed to keep the unibody pickup relevant as competition heats up.

Why the cautious approach? Simple. Honda is re-evaluating investments and leaning into more pragmatic electrification strategies. The marque is reportedly developing a new hybrid V6 to bridge the gap between conventional V6 power and full electric propulsion. That could give the Ridgeline a tangible advantage: V6 refinement with better fuel economy and instant torque where it counts.

Competitors are not standing still. Ram is preparing a Dakota revival and Hyundai is said to be shifting the Santa Cruz from unibody to a body-on-frame layout aimed squarely at the mid-size pickup market. In that landscape the Ridgeline’s strengths — car-like ride, clever cargo solutions and a cabin that feels more like an SUV than a work truck — will have to be emphasized and modernized.

Creatives have already weighed in. Digital artists have reimagined the Ridgeline borrowing details from the all-new Passport TrailSport, producing renderings that pair rugged trim with a more aggressive bed design. That visual direction makes sense: the Passport has found traction with buyers, moving more than 14,000 units in the first quarter, up more than 20 percent year over year.

There are risks. A long production break and a soft relaunch leave room for rivals to steal attention. But there is also opportunity. The 2028 update could extend the Ridgeline’s life, serve customers who want hybrid efficiency without giving up V6 capability, and buy time for a true next-generation model down the road.

The Ridgeline’s 2028 comeback looks like evolution rather than revolution: smarter powertrains, refreshed styling, and a clearer role in Honda’s rethought roadmap.