The Ridgeline
is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 255 horsepower at 5750 rpm and 252
lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm. The engine has numerous high-tech features
such as variable valve timing and dual-stage intake manifold. It’s
certainly one of the cleanest pickup engines with a ULEV rating (ultra-low
emissions vehicle). Underneath is a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Inside the
cab, the Ridgeline’s interior is one degree of separation from a
Honda Odyssey. There are few if any traditional pickup cues on the dash.
Even the center console looks as if it was lifted from a minivan. The
cab is extremely functional, spacious and comfortable. There are plenty
of storage options, and the rear 60/40 seat folds up to support cargo
as large as a mountain bike. Sound options are not impressive but certainly
accommodating with available XM satellite and available 160-watt, 7-speaker
audio system. Honda also offers a satellite-linked navigation system with
voice recognition on a large 8-inch display.
Truck owners,
however, want to know about cargo hauling and towing when it comes to
trucks. The Ridgeline features a 5-foot-long composite bed that is supported
with three steel crossmembers. The inside of the bed is covered with a
non-slip surface. The bed was certainly designed to make motorcycle owners
feel special. There are guides for the front wheels in the front of the
bed, and the six tie downs are positioned to secure motorcycles. The bed
is just over 48 inches wide, so it passes the obligatory 4x8 plywood test.
Total payload rating for the Ridgeline is just over 1500 pounds.
The bed doesn’t
have provisions for 2-tier loading or cargo dividers. In the minds of
Honda engineers, those are stop-gap measures. They used the extra space
under the bed that was opened up with the unique chassis and suspension
design to incorporate a deep 8.5 cubic foot secured storage area. The
locking lid can be opened with the handle or electronically from inside
the cab. The storage area holds three sets of golf clubs or a few cases
of soft drinks. A drain makes cleanup easy. The spare tire is also located
in the cargo compartment and is mounted on a sliding tray for easy access.
The Ridgeline’s
bed is also distinguished by a dual-action tailgate that will be a dream
come true for busy moms who load plants at the nursery or dads who need
to wash out debris from the bed. In addition to folding down in a conventional
manner, the tailgate can also swing out. The bed’s four courtesy
lights illuminate whenever the swing mode is used (the lights can be turned
on from inside the cab as well). The tailgate will support 300 pounds
while the vehicle is driving. The dynamic rating is to compensate for
extra forces that be magnified by hitting bumps. The Ridgeline’s
bed is unequaled in utility and convenience. The competition is already
going back to the drawing board to develop similar features.
Honda put considerable effort into building in necessary tow features.
The radiator is bigger with dual high-power fans. The Ridgeline already
comes with necessary oil coolers and 7-pin wiring for a trailer brake.
All the customer needs is a receiver hitch. Honda rates the Ridgeline
towing capacity at 5000 pounds, but that rating also includes two vehicle
occupants and 175 pounds of cargo. In the fine print of most other pickups,
the maximum tow rating is restricted to certain configurations, engine/transmission/rear
axle ratio choices and with just the driver in the vehicle. But Honda’s
research showed that 84 percent of truck owners tow less than 5000 pounds.
Honda’s strategy was to meet that mark in a real-world manner.
One of the
keys to testing trucks is to analyze the intent of the manufacturer and
see if the company delivered on its mission. Not every truck can be as
fun off-road as a Tacoma with the TRD package, as fast a Dodge Ram SRT-10
or as stylish as an F-150 King Ranch. Honda has definite customer in mind
with the Ridgeline, and he’s not just someone who’s outgrown
a CRV.
We’ll
take a closer look at the Ridgeline trim levels, options and features
in an upcoming road test. (Some information was already discussed in the
Detroit
Auto Show story.) I intend to test the truck the same way Honda’s
targeted owner might. I’m asking for a Honda ATV to take up to an
off-road area, and I’ll be arranging to tow a boat to the lake.
I know how the Ridgeline drives. Let’s just see how it works.
