2025 Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk: The Truck Feature You Didn’t Know You Needed

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk is unique because it provides about 7 cubic feet of lockable, weatherproof, and drainable storage built directly beneath the composite bed floor. Unlike conventional pickup trucks that require space-consuming aftermarket toolboxes, this subterranean compartment keeps tools, luggage, and gear completely secure, dry, and hidden from view without reducing usable bed cargo area.

Engineering the cargo box into the steel-reinforced composite bed floor allows truck owners to keep valuable items out of sight while preserving the full flat floor of the bed. Measuring 64 inches long and 60 inches wide, the bed easily accommodates 4-foot-wide sheets of drywall or plywood flat between the wheel wells. Because the trunk compartment features a built-in drain plug, you can fill the recessed well with ice to store food and cold beverages for weekend tailgating or camping, then twist the drain plug to clean it out with a garden hose.

For outdoor enthusiasts heading out to the riverfront parks or wetlands near Gretna, this enclosed space keeps muddy boots, wet fishing waders, or sandy sports gear separated from the clean passenger cabin. It eliminates the compromise between cabin legroom and cargo security. To experience how this bed layout works in person, explore our new Honda Ridgeline inventory or visit our Lincoln location on Yankee Hill Road. If you have questions about specific bed dimensions or trim availability, give our sales team a quick call to walk through the lineup.

Table of Contents

• How Big Is the Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk, Bed Dimensions, and Payload Capacity?
• Is the Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk Weatherproof and Fully Secure for Valuables?
• How Does the Dual-Action Tailgate Work with the In-Bed Trunk and Power Central Locking?
• How Does the Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk Compare to Toyota Tacoma Storage and Passenger Space?
• What Should You Inspect During a Test Drive and How Do You Resolve Trunk Latch Issues?
• What Are the Most Common Questions About the Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk?

How Big Is the Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk, Bed Dimensions, and Payload Capacity?

Measuring roughly 60 inches wide, 18 inches long, and 12 inches deep, the Ridgeline’s In-Bed Trunk offers a spacious 7 cubic feet of secure storage beneath the composite cargo bed. Maximum payload capacity reaches 1,599 lbs on Sport AWD models, while every trim delivers a maximum towing rating of 5,000 lbs.

Having 50 inches of flat width between the wheel wells means building materials lie completely flat across the bed floor. You can haul up to 1,599 lbs of payload on the Sport AWD trim without resting cargo on top of the wheel arches. The 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission, supplying steady power whether the bed is empty or filled to capacity.

Weight and capacity figures vary slightly across the trim lineup based on standard equipment:

• Sport AWD / Sport+ AWD: 4,420 lbs curb weight, 1,599 lbs payload capacity, 5,000 lbs towing capacity, 5 passenger seating
• RTL AWD / RTL+ AWD: 4,480 lbs curb weight, 1,539 lbs payload capacity, 5,000 lbs towing capacity, 5 passenger seating
• TrailSport / TrailSport+: 4,495 lbs curb weight, 1,524 lbs payload capacity, 5,000 lbs towing capacity, 5 passenger seating
• Black Edition: 4,504 lbs curb weight, 1,515 lbs payload capacity, 5,000 lbs towing capacity, 5 passenger seating

Whether you need a versatile daily driver or are browsing our broader selection of used vehicles, the Ridgeline provides balanced utility. If you find the right model in transit, our team can help you reserve a vehicle with a deposit so it is ready when you arrive. For buyers setting a strict purchase limit, we also maintain an inventory of used vehicles priced under $20,000 to match various budgets.

Dimensions & Capacity

Capacity and dimensions by trim

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Is the Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk Weatherproof and Fully Secure for Valuables?

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk is fully weatherproof and secure, featuring thick rubber weather-stripping seals and a subterranean design integrated directly into the truck’s central power locking system. It protects contents from heavy rain, drifting snow, and road dust while ensuring valuables stay locked out of sight beneath the bed floor.

A heavy-duty rubber gasket runs along the lip of the opening, creating a tight seal when the spring-assisted lid latches closed. During heavy rainfall or icy winter driving, water is channeled away from the trunk cavity along built-in bed channels. This keeps dry gear, electronic tools, golf clubs, or grocery bags completely dry without needing a bulky exterior tonneau cover.

Security is another major advantage for truck owners who park at job sites or public trailhead parking lots. Because the lid sits flush with the bed floor, passersby cannot tell if gear is stored inside the bed. The lock mechanism integrates directly with the cabin door locks, securing the compartment automatically whenever you walk away with the key fob.

If you are cross-shopping truck capability with crossover utility across our new Honda lineup, the Ridgeline brings the best of both worlds. Families comparing cargo flexibility against pre-owned SUVs often choose the Ridgeline because it matches SUV cabin comfort with raw bed utility. Commuters looking for daily efficiency alongside utility can also check out our new Civic Hybrid models for long-distance driving needs.

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How Does the Dual-Action Tailgate Work with the In-Bed Trunk and Power Central Locking?

The dual-action tailgate on the 2025 Honda Ridgeline swings open sideways to the driver side or drops down conventionally, allowing drivers to stand right against the rear bumper to reach deep into the In-Bed Trunk. Both the tailgate and the in-bed trunk lock automatically whenever you lock the cabin doors using the key fob or central power door switch.

Traditional drop-down tailgates force you to lean over a 2-foot gate to reach items stored in the front of the bed or inside an in-bed compartment. By grabbing the release handle on the lower right side of the gate, the dual-action tailgate swings open 80 degrees sideways on heavy-duty side hinges. This side-swing design lets you step directly up to the rear bumper, making it easy to lift heavy toolboxes, ice chests, or bags of mulch out of the trunk well without straining your lower back.

Power locking integration adds convenience for everyday use. When you unlock the driver door using the key fob or Smart Entry handle, the tailgate electric latch and in-bed trunk release button unlock simultaneously. If you park on a street or in a crowded lot, locking the truck electronically secures the tailgate and the trunk lid at the same time.

If you ever need routine latch lubrication, multi-point inspections, or bed accessory installation, you can schedule service online with our factory-trained service team. Truck shoppers comparing various cab styles can also explore our inventory of pre-owned trucks to compare tailgate designs across model years.

Engine & Performance

Powertrain specs by trim

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How Does the Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk Compare to Toyota Tacoma Storage and Passenger Space?

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline offers a standard lockable 7.3-cubic-foot In-Bed Trunk and the widest interior passenger space in the midsize pickup segment, whereas the Toyota Tacoma provides no hidden trunk and narrow rear legroom. Tacoma owners must add external bed boxes that take away cargo bed length, while the Ridgeline preserves a flat 50-inch bed width for full building sheets.

Comparing interior passenger dimensions highlights a major difference between these two midsize pickups:

• Interior Passenger Width: The Honda Ridgeline delivers 62 inches of front shoulder room and 61.5 inches of rear shoulder room, giving it the widest cabin in its class. The Toyota Tacoma offers narrower shoulder room (approx 58.3 inches front / 56.4 inches rear), which can make three rear passengers feel cramped.
• Under-Floor Bed Storage: Every Ridgeline trim includes the subterranean 7.3-cubic-foot In-Bed Trunk. The Toyota Tacoma has no under-bed floor trunk option on any trim level.
• Bed Floor Utility: The Ridgeline features 50 inches between wheel wells, allowing 4×8 plywood sheets to lie flat on the composite bed floor. The Tacoma offers about 41.5 inches between wheel arches, forcing 4-foot-wide materials to ride tilted on top of the wheel wells.

For commuters traveling I-80 between local job sites or taking weekend family road trips around Omaha, cabin elbow room and quiet ride quality make long drives far more enjoyable. Unibody construction and independent rear suspension give the Ridgeline a smooth, crossover-like ride that isolates road bumps far better than traditional body-on-frame midsize trucks.

If you are planning to upgrade your current pickup or family vehicle, our team can help you value your trade-in online in minutes. Drivers who prefer comfortable commuter vehicles alongside a household work truck can also browse our selection of pre-owned sedans.

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What Should You Inspect During a Test Drive and How Do You Resolve Trunk Latch Issues?

On a test drive, you should test both swing and fold functions of the dual-action tailgate, operate the in-bed trunk latch, check the rubber weather seal, and verify the interior glove box lock switch. If the electric trunk release button fails, check the glove box master lock switch, replace the key fob battery, or pull the manual emergency cable override located behind the lower rear interior panel.

When walking around the Ridgeline during your test drive, practice these operational steps:

1. Open the tailgate downward using the top center handle, then swing it open sideways using the lower right latch.
2. Press the electronic trunk release button inside the bed wall and lift the counterbalanced lid to inspect the interior well and drain plug.
3. Check the condition of the rubber weather seal along the rim to confirm it is clean and properly seated.
4. Verify that locking the truck with the key fob disables the bed release button.

If the trunk release button ever stops responding, the fix is usually quick. First, open the glove compartment and verify that the master trunk lockout switch is toggled to ON. If the switch is on but the release button remains inactive, check your key fob battery or unlock all doors twice using the driver door power lock button. In an emergency where vehicle power is lost, remove the small plastic access panel inside the lower rear cabin wall to access the mechanical release cable manual override.

Different Ridgeline trims offer distinct interior and exterior feature combinations:

• TrailSport / TrailSport+: Includes Diffused Sky Blue Pearl exterior paint option, Pewter Gray wheels, off-road tuned suspension, and standard steel oil pan guard.
• Black Edition: Features Black/Red leather seating surfaces, Berlina Black wheels, and black exterior trim.
• Available Dealer Accessories: Oil Pan Guard, Moonroof Visor, All-Season Floor Mats, Black Wheel Lug Nut Set, Back-Up Sensors, and HPD Grille.

When you are ready to move forward, you can apply for financing online to streamline your dealership visit. For current Honda owners maintaining their vehicles, review our Honda Maintenance Minder service codes guide to keep track of recommended service intervals.

Standard vs Optional Features

Key equipment that moves from optional to standard across trims

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What Are the Most Common Questions About the Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk?

Q: What is the weight limit for the floor of the Honda Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk?

The floor of the Ridgeline’s In-Bed Trunk is constructed from steel-reinforced composite material and supports up to 300 lbs of direct cargo weight inside the compartment. This structural strength allows owners to store heavy toolboxes, bags of concrete, or fully loaded ice chests without damaging the trunk lining or bowing the bed floor above.

Q: How do you clean out the drain plug on a Ridgeline trunk?

Cleaning the In-Bed Trunk drain plug requires no special tools. Rotate the drain plug counterclockwise at the bottom of the trunk well to open it, rinse out any dirt, melted ice, or debris using a standard garden hose, and allow the water to drain freely beneath the vehicle before twisting the plug clockwise to seal it shut.

Q: What should you do if the Ridgeline trunk release button stops working?

If the electric trunk release button fails to open the lid, check that the master trunk lockout switch located inside the glove box is set to ON. If the switch is enabled, verify your key fob battery or press unlock twice on the driver door power lock switch. In an emergency, access the manual cable override hidden behind the lower interior trim panel near the rear wall.

Q: Can the Honda Ridgeline bed hold 4-by-8 sheets of plywood flat?

Yes, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline can carry 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood completely flat on the composite bed floor. Because the wheel arches are spaced 50 inches apart, standard construction materials lie flat across the bed floor without resting at an angle against the wheel wells or interfering with the In-Bed Trunk lid.

Q: Does Toyota offer an in-bed trunk on the Tacoma?

No, Toyota does not offer an in-bed trunk on the Tacoma or any other pickup in its lineup. Tacoma owners seeking lockable bed storage must buy aftermarket utility boxes that mount across the bed rails, taking up bed length and blocking rear sightlines.

To explore the Ridgeline’s dual-action tailgate and lockable trunk in person, visit our showroom on Yankee Hill Road or call our team directly at (402) 437-1200. You can also order Honda Genuine Parts and Accessories online to customize your truck with dividers, bed extenders, or cargo nets.

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