2026 Honda Ridgeline RTL: O’Fallon Buyers Guide

Quick Answer: 2026 Ridgeline RTL

The RTL sits in the middle of the lineup. $43,595 MSRP, plus $1,495 destination, roughly $2,800 over the Sport. For that you get leather seats, heated fronts, an 8-way power driver’s seat, remote start, and better audio, on top of everything the Sport already has: the 280-hp V6, i-VTM4 AWD, full Honda Sensing, the bed with its lockable trunk. Payload’s 1,544 lb. EPA is 18/24/21, same as the Sport. It’s the trim for someone who wants the capability without giving up much comfort.

2026 Honda Ridgeline RTL leather-trimmed interior showing front and rear seats
Leather-trimmed seating arrives at the RTL trim. Photo: Honda.

Same truck underneath, better cabin

Nothing about how the RTL drives changes from the Sport. Same V6, same 9-speed, same i-VTM4 AWD, same 5,000-lb tow rating. What’s different is everything you actually touch. Leather instead of cloth. Heated fronts for a cold St. Louis morning. Power adjustment on the driver’s seat instead of a manual lever. Remote start, so the cabin’s already warm before you’ve walked outside. The stereo’s better too. None of it changes what the truck can haul. All of it changes how the daily drive feels.

Where the RTL sits between Sport and TrailSport

Versus the Sport, about $2,800 buys the comfort list above with zero change in capability. Versus the TrailSport above it, the RTL keeps the standard on-road suspension and regular wheels instead of the off-road tuning and all-terrain tires. That’s a real thing to weigh if the truck’s life is mostly pavement with the occasional gravel driveway. Payload drops slightly from the Sport’s 1,583 lb to 1,544 lb here, just the added leather and audio weight, nothing drivetrain-related.

Why the RTL tends to win with repeat Honda buyers

This trim shows up a lot with customers who’ve already owned a Honda and know exactly what they’re buying. “This is my 2nd purchase from [Frank Leta Honda]! They are great to work with and no pressure. Special thanks to Kyler for a start to finish easy process!!! I love my new Honda Ridgeline,” one repeat buyer wrote about Honda Specialist Kyler DeGaeto (Matt H.). Simple process, no back and forth, a truck that already fits without needing the top trim. That pattern comes up a lot in the dealership’s Ridgeline reviews.

Frequently asked questions

What does the RTL add over the Sport?

Leather seats, heated fronts, an 8-way power driver’s seat, remote start, and upgraded audio. Engine, transmission, AWD, touchscreen, and safety suite stay the same between the two.

Does the RTL have heated seats?

Yes, front seats are heated on the RTL and everything above it. The Sport’s the only 2026 trim without heated fronts.

What’s the payload on the Ridgeline RTL?

1,544 lb. Tow rating’s the same 5,000 lb across the whole lineup.

Is the RTL worth the extra cost over the Sport?

If daily comfort matters, heated seats, power adjustment, remote start on a cold morning, the roughly $2,800 step is reasonable. If the truck’s mostly a work vehicle and cloth seats don’t bother you, the Sport doesn’t leave much on the table.

Does the RTL qualify for Frank Leta Honda’s Lifetime Warranty?

Yes. New gas Ridgelines, RTL included, qualify for Frank Leta Honda’s Lifetime Warranty, parts and labor, for as long as the original owner keeps the truck. Ask the sales team for the current written terms before signing anything.

See the RTL in person

The RTL rotates through Frank Leta Honda’s new inventory at 500 Auto Mall Drive in O’Fallon. Stop by during posted hours, or call (636) 339-3361 first to see what’s currently on the lot.

All 2026 Honda Ridgeline guides

MSRP excludes the $1,495 destination charge, taxes, title, registration and dealer-installed accessories; Frank Leta Honda sets the actual selling price. Tow and payload figures are manufacturer estimates for a properly equipped vehicle. EPA fuel-economy figures are estimates from fueleconomy.gov; real-world mileage varies. Lifetime Warranty terms and financing approval depend on the current written program and individual creditworthiness; confirm details with the dealership. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Frank Leta Honda.