Honda Ridgeline Production Pause, Next Gen TeasedHondaHondaphile truck buyers act fast: Your beloved Honda Ridgeline will betaking a gap year starting later in 2026, as Honda will be ending production of the second-generation model while the all-new, all-American version of the third-generation truck finishes itsgestation. We first reported on the pause a few months ago. Now we're learning a bit more about its replacement.Home GrownAs has been the case with the Truck of theYear winning first-generation(2006–2014) and second-gen (2017–present) trucks, the design will hail from thesame Honda Southern California styling studio in Torrance, while engineering developmenttakes place at the Honda Auto Development Center in Raymond, Ohio. And whenthey're good and done developing it, it'll return to the same production lineit's now rolling off of, the Honda Alabama Auto Plant in Lincoln, Alabama, where Pilots, Passports, and Odysseys are also built.The 2nd Generation Honda Ridgeline TrailSportHondaStill All TruckHonda has shared the teaser image above, which indicates no adventurousforays into form factors that deviate from the three-box truck paradigm. We're assuredthe new Ridgeline's countenance will be "even more rugged." Honda VP of autosales Lance Woelfer, recounting the Ridgeline's legacy of introducinginnovative technologies (like the drop-or-swing door gate) added that "The nextRidgeline will advance this legacy while gaining even more rugged designand capabilities."2nd Generation Ridgeline cutaway illustrationHondaPure SpeculationNone of this is official, but Woelfer's comments couldcertainly point to a typical Honda second generation of TrailSport enhancementsexpanding on whatwas originally offered for the existing Ridgeline, just as we've seen with successive Passport and Pilot TrailSport models. Lookfor more aggressive tires that perhaps go up a size to 32s and offer improvedrock and mud traction with better puncture resistance. A more aggressivesuspension lift than today's 1 inch is also likely, courtesy of longer springs withrevised dampers and maybe even hydraulic rebound stops. Improved underbodyarmor seems likely as well, and it wouldn't take much revision of today's bumpers to further improve approach and departure angles above what the suspension lift provides.AdvertisementAdvertisementUpgrading to Honda's very latest electronic architectureis also likely to bring improvements to the TrailWatch camera system (higherresolution cameras, tire placement views, etc.), and more extensive off-roadmodes. These could be enabled by upgrades to the i-VTM4 rear axle, like fasterclutch engagement, higher sustained torque, and improved thermal capacity. We'deven like to see better one-pedal off-road control and perhaps some trailerassist automation (hitching, backing, etc.).As for what will power it, Honda is in the process of developing a hybrid powertrain that can be used for its larger vehicles like the Ridgeline, and it would be a good bet that it could power the new truck, in addition to the updated version of Honda's tried-and-true 3.5-liter V-6.How Long Will the Pause Be?Honda is still advising us to expect the new Ridgeline "withintwo years," so we're guessing it will arrive as a 2028 model year vehicle, but it could push to an early 2029 model as well.