Let’s be honest. In 2014, when the automotive world realized there was no 2015 Honda Ridgeline coming in a standard format—because Honda was actually wrapping up the first generation with a short-run Special Edition—people were confused. Was it a truck? Was it a Pilot with the back chopped off?
Truck purists hated it. They’d lean out the window of their lifted diesel rigs and scoff at the unibody construction. But here’s the thing: those people weren't the ones buying it. The people buying the 2015 Honda Ridgeline were the ones who actually used their trucks for real-life stuff, like hauling mulch on a Saturday or tailgating at a stadium without the tailgate getting in the way.
It’s a weird beast.
Honda basically took a different path. While Ford and Chevy were busy measuring frame thickness, Honda looked at how people actually lived. Most truck owners spend 90% of their time on pavement, not crawling over boulders in Moab. So, they built a truck that rode like an Accord but could still carry 1,500 pounds in the bed.
The Weirdness of the 2015 Production Year
Technically, the 2014 model year was supposed to be the end of the line before a long hiatus. But Honda released a "2015" version in some markets and specifically the Special Edition (SE) to bridge the gap. It’s basically a collector's item now if you can find one in good shape.
The 2015 Honda Ridgeline didn't try to be something it wasn't. It used a 3.5-liter V6 engine. It wasn't the fastest thing on the road. It wasn't the most fuel-efficient. But it was incredibly consistent. You get about 250 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. In the world of modern trucks, those numbers look small. On the road? It’s plenty.
The engine is the J35Z5. It’s a workhorse. No turbochargers to blow up. No complicated hybrid systems to fail. Just a naturally aspirated V6 that wants to run until the body rots away around it. That's why the resale value on these things is absolutely insane. You’ll see a ten-year-old Ridgeline with 150,000 miles still listed for a price that makes you do a double-take.
The In-Bed Trunk: A Total Game Changer
If you’ve never owned a Ridgeline, you probably think the in-bed trunk is a gimmick. It’s not. It’s a 8.5-cubic-foot weather-tight hole in the floor of the bed.
Imagine this. You go to the grocery store. In a normal F-150, your bags are either sliding around the backseat getting the upholstery dirty or they're in the bed blowing away. In the 2015 Honda Ridgeline, you just pop the trunk in the bed. It’s hidden. It locks. It even has a drain plug, so you can fill it with ice and drinks.
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Why doesn't every truck have this?
Well, because most trucks have a solid rear axle and a leaf spring suspension. That hardware takes up all the space under the bed. Honda used an independent rear suspension. That’s the secret sauce. It’s why the truck handles like a minivan instead of a tractor, and it’s why they had the room to put a literal trunk inside a truck bed.
Handling the "Not a Real Truck" Allegations
Look, if you need to tow 10,000 pounds, don't buy this. You’ll kill the transmission. The 2015 Honda Ridgeline is rated for 5,000 pounds. That’s a small boat. That’s a couple of dirt bikes. That’s a utility trailer full of plywood.
For most homeowners, that is the sweet spot.
The VTM-4 (Variable Torque Management) four-wheel-drive system is actually pretty clever. It isn't a traditional 4WD with a transfer case. It’s basically a front-wheel-drive biased system that can lock the rear differential at low speeds. If you’re stuck in a snowy driveway, you hit the "VTM-4 Lock" button and it forces power to the back. It works. I’ve seen these things embarrass much "tougher" trucks in deep slush because they’re lighter and have better weight distribution.
The Interior is... a Time Capsule
Stepping into a 2015 Honda Ridgeline feels like stepping back into 2008. Honda didn't update the interior much during the entire first generation's run.
You get big, chunky knobs. You get buttons you can actually press while wearing work gloves. There's no giant iPad glued to the dashboard. To some, it feels dated. To others, it feels like heaven. There’s a certain tactile satisfaction in a volume knob that actually turns.
The storage inside is also ridiculous. The rear seats flip up, and you can fit a full-sized mountain bike in the cab. Not many mid-size trucks can do that. It’s because the floor is flat. Again, that unibody design coming in clutch.
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What Goes Wrong? (Because Nothing is Perfect)
I’m not here to tell you it’s a flawless machine. It has quirks.
- The Fuel Economy: It’s bad. You’re looking at maybe 15 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway if you have a light foot. For a V6, it drinks like a V8.
- The Timing Belt: This is a big one. Unlike many modern engines that use timing chains, the J35 in the Ridgeline uses a belt. It must be changed every 100,000 miles. If it snaps, your engine is a very expensive paperweight.
- The Turning Radius: For a "small" truck, it turns like a school bus. You’ll be doing three-point turns in the Home Depot parking lot more often than you’d like.
- The Paint: Honda had some issues with clear coat failure during this era, especially on the darker colors. If you’re buying one used, check the roof and the tops of the fenders for fading.
The 2015 Ridgeline vs. The Competition
Back in 2015, the Toyota Tacoma was the king of the hill. The Nissan Frontier was... also there.
The Tacoma had better resale value and better off-road chops. But if you drove a 2015 Tacoma and a 2015 Honda Ridgeline back-to-back on a highway, you'd pick the Honda every time. The Tacoma felt buzzy and cramped. The Ridgeline felt wide, stable, and quiet.
It’s about the philosophy of use.
If your "off-roading" is just a gravel road leading to a trailhead, the Honda is superior. If you're actually rock crawling, the Honda will leave you stranded with a cracked oil pan. Know who you are before you buy.
Why the Special Edition Matters
The SE trim was Honda's "thank you" to the fans. It took the top-tier RTL trim and added blacked-out wheels, a unique grille, and some "Special Edition" badging.
It basically looked a lot meaner.
Finding an SE today is tough. They didn't make many. But if you find one, it represents the absolute peak of the first-generation Ridgeline. Every bug had been worked out by then. Every manufacturing tolerance was dialed in. It is arguably the most reliable version of the truck ever built.
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Is it a Good Buy Today?
Usually, I’d say stay away from ten-year-old vehicles. But the 2015 Honda Ridgeline is an exception.
Because it’s a Honda, the parts are everywhere. Every mechanic in North America knows how to work on a J-series V6. You aren't dealing with niche European sensors or experimental American cylinder deactivation tech that eats lifters.
If you find one with service records—specifically showing that the timing belt and water pump were done—buy it.
The market for these is weirdly competitive. People who have them tend to keep them until they die. When they do hit the market, they go fast. I’ve seen people fly across three states to pick up a clean, low-mileage 2015.
Practical Steps for Potential Owners
If you are currently looking at a 2015 Honda Ridgeline, here is exactly what you need to do to make sure you aren't buying a lemon:
- Check the Transmission Fluid: Pull the dipstick. It should be pinkish-red. If it’s black or smells like burnt toast, walk away. The 5-speed automatic is tough, but it hates heat and old fluid.
- Inspect the Rear Wheel Arches: This is where the rust starts. Feel inside the lip of the fender. If it feels crunchy, the truck has seen too many salted winters.
- The Tailgate Test: The Ridgeline tailgate opens two ways: it drops down like a normal truck, and it swings out like a door. Test both. The swing-out mechanism involves a complex set of sensors and actuators. If it doesn't swing, it's a pain to fix.
- Look for "Strawberry Milkshake": There was a rare but catastrophic issue where the radiator cooling lines for the transmission would leak into the radiator. If the coolant looks like a pink milkshake, the transmission is toasted. Most owners fixed this with an aftermarket radiator, but check anyway.
- Verify the Timing Belt: If the owner says "I think it was done," assume it wasn't. Budget $1,200 to $1,500 to get it done immediately for peace of mind.
The 2015 Honda Ridgeline remains one of the most misunderstood vehicles of the last two decades. It’s the truck for people who don't need to prove anything to anyone. It’s comfortable, it’s remarkably practical, and it will likely outlast most of the "real" trucks sitting on the used car lot next to it.
It's basically a Swiss Army knife on wheels. It’s not the best knife, it’s not the best screwdriver, and it’s not the best saw. But it’s the one you actually want in your pocket when a job needs to get done. If you can handle the subpar gas mileage and the "not a real truck" jokes from your neighbor, you’ll probably end up loving it.
Most Ridgeline owners don't just like their trucks. They're obsessed with them. Once you experience that in-bed trunk and the dual-action tailgate, it’s really hard to go back to a "normal" pickup. It’s just too convenient.
If you're hunting for one, stick to the 2014 or 2015 models. They are the refined, final expressions of a bold experiment that Honda actually got right. Just make sure you check that timing belt. Seriously. Don't skip it.