Some of the more innovative features of the Ridgeline are its tailgate, which can fold down or hinge to the side, and a large "trunk" below the truck bed. The bed is integrated with the body. In concept, the Ridgeline shares much with such vehicles as the car-based Chevrolet El Camino, Ford Ranchero, and Subaru Baja.
Honda planned to release the Ridgeline in 2005 as a 2006 model.