Few people think of Honda when they picture a tough pickup. That could change soon. Honda looks ready to go after the Ford Ranger from two directions at once, with a boxier, more truck-like Ridgeline and a body-on-frame pickup borrowed from Mitsubishi.
- Ridgeline production is pausing at Honda’s Alabama plant, and a more truck-like third generation is expected in Q3 2028.
- Honda reportedly plans to sell its own version of the body-on-frame Mitsubishi Triton starting in 2028, beginning in Southeast Asia.
- It’s unclear if the Triton-based truck will reach the U.S., and tariffs plus the Chicken Tax stand in the way.
The Midsize Truck Fight Is Getting Crowded
The U.S. midsize pickup market is about to get a lot busier. Over the next few years, Ram, Hyundai, and Honda are all expected to join the Ford Ranger and the trucks it already fights. For Ranger owners and shoppers, that means more choices than this segment has seen in a long time.
Honda is already in this market with the Ridgeline. But the Ridgeline is about to take a break. Honda has confirmed that production of the current truck at its Alabama Auto Plant will pause later this year. The gap is expected to last about a year and a half while the company gets the next version ready.
A Ridgeline That Finally Looks the Part
Honda is working on an all-new third generation of the Ridgeline, and early reports describe it as heavily refreshed. Either way, the teaser images point in one clear direction. The new truck looks far boxier and more traditional than the rounded model sold today.
It’s slated to arrive in Q3 2028. Reports say it will get an updated exterior, some new components, and a new V6 engine built to meet emissions rules. Honda is also reportedly giving it a new advanced hybrid setup made for large vehicles. The goal is better fuel economy, more torque, and higher towing capacity than current systems offer.
One thing probably won’t change. Today’s Ridgeline uses unibody construction, which it shares with passenger vehicles. That setup puts comfort and everyday use first, while buyers who want a traditional truck usually look for a ladder frame. Even with the new styling, the third generation isn’t expected to make that switch.
Enter the Triton-Based Honda
That tougher option may come from somewhere else. Honda is reportedly planning to sell a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Triton starting in 2028. It would be Honda’s first body-on-frame truck, which is a big step for the brand.
The Triton is built in Thailand, and the Honda version would launch first in Southeast Asia. That’s a key region for Japanese automakers, and the new truck is meant to help Honda compete with Chinese brands there. The Triton’s ladder-frame bones also sit under the Nissan Navara and the Mitsubishi Pajero, so Honda wouldn’t be starting from zero.
For Honda, the appeal is easy to see. Borrowing an existing truck lets it move into a whole new part of the market with very little engineering work.
Could It Land in America?
This is the big unknown. The Triton-based Honda is reportedly being considered for markets beyond Southeast Asia, and some outlets have floated the idea of a U.S. version. If it did come here, it would give buyers an old-school, body-on-frame alternative to the softer Ridgeline.
The math gets tricky, though. Between tariffs and the long-running Chicken Tax on imported light trucks, a Thai-built pickup would start with a real cost handicap. It would be up against locally built rivals like the Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and GMC Canyon. Some reports suggest those hurdles make a U.S. launch unlikely.
Watch Honda’s 2028 Truck Plans Closely
If Honda pulls this off, it could cover both kinds of midsize truck buyers. The Ridgeline would serve people who want comfort and a smooth daily drive. The Triton-based truck would serve people who want a traditional frame and tougher hardware, assuming it ever gets here.
For now, the Ridgeline’s return is the surer bet, and it’s still about two years away. That’s a long wait if your current ride is on its last legs. If you need something sooner, searching for a Honda HR-V for sale near me could turn up a small crossover that handles commuting and errands while the truck lineup takes shape. Once 2028 gets closer, expect more details on specs, towing numbers, and whether Honda’s ladder-frame pickup gets a U.S. passport.
