With the Ridgeline, Honda has killed the darlings of the pickup class and breathed new life into the industry.
2018 Honda Ridgeline
Why Buy the Honda Ridgeline?
If you're wondering if Honda can make a good pickup truck, you're about to be pleasantly surprised. Honda has axed a few pickup sacred cows and brought innovation to the crowded class. The result is something truly unique. Notice the luxurious cabin, full of the best materials and meticulously laid out and boasting the most spacious rear leg room in its class. It also has the quietest cabin on any pickup. In addition to having more safety tech than a conventional pickup, the Honda Ridgeline was the only truck to pick up an IIHS Top Safety Pick + distinction last year.** There are a lot of reasons to buy this pickup, especially if you're not tied to the traditional pickup features.
Is the Honda Ridgeline a Real Truck?
Well, the Honda Ridgeline is built on the Honda Pilot's unibody frame, offers only front-wheel drive, and has SUV sensibilities inside and out. If those defy your definition of truck, it might not be. But what's left is a comfortable, tech-filled, responsive, smooth-driving vehicle that tows 5,000 pounds, hauls 1,500 pounds, and offers a sporty V6 engine. Has Honda invented a new type of vehicle entirely or merely broken some truck tropes to breathe new life into an aging class? You be the judge.
Which Honda Ridgeline Should I Buy?
The Ridgeline offers six trims, though the differences aren't too great. Each gives you a five-seat crew cab, V6 engine, front-wheel drive (with optional AWD available on most trims), and automatic transmission. The differences in trims lies mostly in the number of optional tech features. As expected, the more you pay, the more features are thrown in.
The base model is bare bones, so we recommend going up to at least the Sport. If you can afford it, the most bang for your buck is the Ridgeline RTL-E, which adds all-wheel drive, in-bed audio system, satellite radio, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 8-inch infotainment touch screen, moonroof, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, heated steering wheel, and more. The trims top out with the Black Edition, named for its black styling elements.
Is the Honda Ridgeline Good Off-Road?
With all-wheel drive, the Ridgeline does well on gravel and dirt roads and can tackle some unexpected bumps and obstacles. But don't expect it to be as versatile as some of the more rugged pickups out there.
*Any MPG listed is based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid only) and other factors. For additional information about EPA ratings, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-PHEV-label.shtml.
** Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program. Model tested with standard side airbags (SABs). For additional information on the 5-Star Safety Ratings program, please visit www.safercar.gov.
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