When talking about trucks, the “Big Three” of Ford, Chevy, and Ram typically come to mind. Honda usually isn’t even considered to be in the running as it’s best known for the classic subcompact Civic or best-selling Honda Accord sedan. But Honda does have a truck – the Ridgeline – and it’s doing quite well in the market, despite critics saying it’s not a “real truck.”

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline is receiving rave reviews and starting to make the “Big Three” take notice. For the past several years, owner satisfaction has been phenomenal, exceeding the ratings of other trucks in its class.

The truck that owners would buy again

The 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline topped the list of midsize trucks that owners would buy again. 

Consumer Reports determines owner satisfaction by compiling data about whether owners would buy the same vehicle again. Factors such as price, performance, reliability, and comfort are taken into account during the Annual Auto Survey.

Current owners are asked, “Would you get this car if you had it to do it all over again?” The reputable review site received a resounding “yes” from most Ridgeline users.

The Consumer Reports overall owner satisfaction rating for the 2017 Honda Ridgeline was a four out of five. The 2018 model received a perfect five-out-of-five score, and the 2019 Honda Ridgeline attained a four-out-of-five rating.

The reputation of the Honda Ridgeline

This goes to show that despite the Honda Ridgeline’s reputation of not really being a truck, real truck owners love it. Calling it a truck for the “real” world, J.D. Power noted that the Ridgeline offers “thoughtful” features that aren’t included in other midsize pickups. They felt that the Ridgeline met the needs of people who rarely have to tow or haul large loads. Where the big boys fit some consumer’s towing needs, this truck offers an exceptional alternative for everyday drivers.

Consumers give the Honda Ridgeline high marks for the driving experience, comfort level, and styling. On average, 80 percent of owners surveyed told Consumer Reports that they would definitely purchase the Honda Ridgeline again. That’s quite impressive, considering comparable trucks received much lower satisfaction ratings. The Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon received scores of less than 60 percent when consumers were asked if they would buy that same model again.

Rave reviews for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline model has a four out of five predicted overall owner satisfaction rating. Consumer Reports gave the Ridgeline a 76 out of 100 overall score and said, “it is the most civilized pickup truck we’ve ever tested.” They also mentioned that the Ridgeline “meets the actual needs of most pickup owners.”

The unique truck is being well-received among other reviewers as well. U.S. News rated the 2020 Honda Ridgeline as No. 1 in compact pickup trucks. They claim that the powerful V6 engine compliments what’s considered to be the most comfortable ride in its class. U.S. News said, “The Ridgeline’s interior is a step above most other trucks’ cabins in terms of quality and passenger space.”

Car and Driver gave the Ridgeline an 8 out of 10 score, noting that it is the perfect cross between an SUV and a pickup truck. They stated that the Ridgeline handles well and is loaded with “ingenious features.” Car and Driver said, “While the 2020 Ridgeline is often ostracized by pickup purists, it should be glorified by everyone else who wants a truck.”

With reviews like these, it appears that the trend of owner satisfaction should continue with the Honda Ridgeline truck. It’s only a matter of time before this truck gets the “real” credit that it deserves.