Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.People love the practicality of a pickup, but not everyone needs the capability of a full-size truck. Some don't even need a mid-size pickup like the Honda Ridgeline, and if a new trademark filing for the name Tideline is anything to go by, Honda may be preparing to go a size smaller and introduce a compact unibody pickup aimed squarely at the all-conquering Ford Maverick. As the Hyundai Santa Cruz illustrates, simply offering something in this segment is not necessarily enough to guarantee sales, but if Honda pulls this off correctly, it could be a smash hit.Honda Trademarks Tideline NameHondaThe new trademark was discovered by CarBuzz at the Australian intellectual property office, where it was filed on July 29. The application seeks to protect the name Tideline for use in automotive applications, and while the filing provides no further specifics, the name's similarity to that of the Ridgeline seems to indicate a vehicle cut from a similar cloth, i.e., a pickup of some sort. Tideline doesn't sound as rugged as Ridgeline, hence the assumption that it's for a smaller compact pickup, and it conjures up images of the coast, potentially indicating that the vehicle will have something of an adventure focus. At the very least, we would hope it's not as car-like as the Santa Cruz, but simultaneously, a compact product can't be over-engineered or its MSRP will scare potential buyers off.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: Honda's Next Hybrid SUV May Already Be Testing in AmericaIt's also worth mentioning that the timing is curious, as Honda teased the third-generation Ridgeline last month with the shadowy teaser image above. This looks slightly boxier than the contemporary model, and if it is, those hardier looks could help separate the Ridgeline from a more lifestyle-oriented compact offering, such as the Tideline, while launching them around the same time could help paint the smaller pickup in a more rugged light.Reality Check: Tideline Could Hit A Clothesline In AmericaHondaHonda seems like a fine brand to take on the might of the Ford Maverick, but we should temper our expectations. For one thing, this trademark was filed in Australia, and no corresponding trademark applications have been discovered at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. At least, not yet. For another, if the Tideline name does foreshadow a new model, it could be years before Honda chooses to use it. Finally, while we're all assuming the trademark applies to a smaller pickup, Honda could throw a curveball and use the name on a crossover or anything else it chooses. And of course, Honda may have filed the trademark simply because automotive naming options that suit a brand are few and far between. Whatever the truth, we'll bring you more information as soon as it becomes available.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.