With the Ridgeline, Honda has evolved the concept of the pickup, creating a smart truck aimed squarely at the actual needs of most pickup owners. The original, innovative Ridgeline turned off many buyers because of its peculiar styling. The lessons have been learned. As a result, the second-generation Ridgeline looks much more conventional, while being even more sensible. In fact, it is the most civilized pickup truck we've ever tested.
But it isn't a conventional workhorse. Towing capacity at 5,000 pounds is nothing to boast about. The bed is shallow. The Ridgeline is no off-road champ, so this isn't the truck for anyone planning to cross the Rubicon Trail. Payload capacity of 1,325 pounds is comparable to other compact pickups and a couple of hundred pounds less than full-size trucks. On top of these modest credentials, the Ridgeline doesn't project the same indestructible image as other pickups. Instead of evoking frontier-taming fantasies, the Ridgeline aims right at your rationale. And rational it is. The composite bed will never rust and is scratch resistant. The built-in trunk is weathertight, will hold more than just a tool box, and is lockable. The rear gate can either swing out like a door or open like any other truck.
Unlike conventional trucks--and like all cars and most modern SUVs--the Ridgeline is a built as a unified construction rather than a body bolted to a separate frame. Also, the cab and bed are one piece, rather than two separate entities that are bolted together.
Finally, an independent suspension is used front and rear. This format endows the Ridgeline with a comfortable and composed ride, which makes it feel more like driving a car rather than a rough and tumble truck. The Ridgeline also happens to be very quiet inside, which goes a long way in making the vehicle feel substantial and upscale.
Honda's 3.5-liter V6 is a potent and pleasant powerplant. At 20 mpg overall in our tests, the Ridgeline is the most fuel-efficient truck that's not diesel-powered.
While handling isn't particularly nimble, the Ridgeline's cornering capability is head and shoulders better than any other pickup truck.
Inside the cab, the Ridgeline is practically identical to the Honda Pilot SUV. It features the same nicely finished dashboard and door trim, high-quality switchgear, and comfortable seats. That's a sharp contrast to the Toyota Tacoma's rudimentary interior.
As long as you stay with an RTL or lower trim level, you get an easy-to-use radio. Opt for one of the three higher trims and you're stuck with Honda's convoluted, unintuitive touchscreen infotainment system. The RTL-T comes with LaneWatch, which is no substitute for a proper blind-spot monitoring system. However, the only way to get a full blind-spot monitoring system, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking is to choose the top-level RTL-E or Black Edition trims.
Access is easy thanks to the SUV-like floor and roof height, rather than having a high step up into the cab of a traditional truck. Unfortunately the narrow rear door opening impedes convenient placing of a child seat.
Ultimately, the Ridgeline may not satisfy every truck buyer or project the adventurous or rugged image some people want. But clearly, it is the right truck for those who are honest about their true needs and aren't afraid of thinking outside the box.