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Browse all trucksWhen people say “Honda truck” in Nebraska, they mean one thing: the Honda Ridgeline. It’s not a body-on-frame farm truck. It’s a unibody pickup built more like an SUV. That alone filters buyers fast in this state. In Omaha and Lincoln, you’ll see 2017–2020 Ridgelines with 60,000–110,000 miles listed between $21,000 and $30,000 depending on trim. RTL-T and RTL-E models sit higher. Sport trims cheaper. West of Kearney, inventory thins out. Ranch country doesn’t chase Ridgelines.
It’s all-wheel drive, not traditional 4x4 with a low-range transfer case. Tow rating usually tops out around 5,000 lbs. Payload around 1,500 lbs depending on year and trim. Engine is typically a 3.5L V6 making about 280 horsepower. Paired to a 6-speed (earlier second gen) or 9-speed automatic in later years. Fuel economy runs about 18–25 mpg depending on driving mix. Real Nebraska combined numbers hover around 20–22 mpg. It rides smooth. That’s the hook.
Comfort. That’s where the Ridgeline wins. Drive one from Lincoln to Grand Island and it feels like a crossover, not a work truck. Independent rear suspension smooths out rough pavement and expansion joints. Winter traction is solid. Honda’s AWD system reacts quickly on icy Omaha side streets. For commuting, it’s more than enough. Reliability reputation holds up. The 3.5L V6 has been around in various Honda models for years. It’s not exotic. Routine maintenance keeps it running well past 200,000 miles in many cases. There’s also the in-bed trunk. Lockable storage under the bed floor. For contractors carrying tools in Bellevue or Papillion, that’s practical. Resale value is steady. Hondas don’t collapse in value like some domestic half-tons once they cross 120,000 miles.
It’s not built for heavy ranch or farm work. No low-range gearing. If you’re pulling a loaded livestock trailer out of a muddy pasture near Broken Bow, you’ll feel the limitation. 5,000 lbs towing sounds fine until you price campers. Many mid-size travel trailers push past 6,000 lbs loaded. That’s outside safe limits. Ground clearance is lower than most 4x4 half-tons. Deep ruts and snow drifts in rural counties can expose that quickly. And then there’s perception. In heavy truck culture areas like North Platte or Scottsbluff, Ridgelines don’t carry the same weight. That affects private-party resale in those regions. Repair costs aren’t zero either. The 9-speed automatic used in some later models has had complaints about rough shifting. Not catastrophic, but noticeable. Transmission service at higher mileage isn’t cheap. It’s also more expensive than you think. A 2018 Ridgeline RTL-E with 95,000 miles in Omaha might list around $26,000. For similar money, you can buy a 2018 Ford F-150 XLT with a real 4x4 system and higher tow capacity. Different tool. Same price range.
People assume Honda equals huge fuel savings. Compared to a 5.0L V8 F-150 averaging 16–18 mpg, yes, you’ll save some fuel. But compared to a 2.7L EcoBoost F-150 that can hit 20–22 mpg combined, the gap shrinks. You’re not doubling your mileage. You’re gaining maybe 3–4 mpg in many real-world cases. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that difference might mean $600–$900 annually depending on fuel prices. Not nothing. Not life-changing.
A buyer in Lincoln traded a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for a 2019 Honda Ridgeline Sport with 72,000 miles. He commutes 40 miles round trip daily. He likes the smoother ride and lower fuel bill. Averaging about 22 mpg now instead of 17. But when he tried towing a 5,500 lb camper to Branched Oak Lake, he felt the strain. Transmission hunted gears on slight inclines. He admitted it was at the edge of comfort. The truck didn’t fail. It just showed its limits.
Commuters in Omaha or Lincoln. Homeowners hauling mulch, appliances, light trailers. Drivers who want truck utility without heavy-duty stiffness. People who rarely tow over 4,000–5,000 lbs. It doesn’t make sense for ranchers, heavy contractors, or anyone regularly towing equipment over 6,000 lbs. The Honda Ridgeline is a practical, comfortable light-duty truck. In Nebraska, that means it fits city and suburb life better than open farmland work. It’s not weak. It’s just not built for the same jobs as a traditional half-ton or heavy-duty pickup. If you expect it to act like one, you’ll hit its ceiling fast.
Our Nebraska team knows Honda trucks inside out. Call, text, or email — we’ll get you an answer today.