Honda's full-size pickup is based on a unibody structure for car-like ride and handling abilities. It offers lighter-duty all-wheel drive instead of the traditional pickup's two-speed transfer case and four-wheel-drive Low range gearing, but can still tow up to 5000 pounds and carry 1500 pounds in its bed.
The five-passenger crew cab Ridgeline comes with four doors and a five-foot cargo bed. It features a split-fold-and-tumble rear seat with hidden under-seat storage, a two-way tailgate that can open either from the top or the right side, and a unique lockable and weather-protected 8.5 cubic foot trunk that's integrated into the cargo bed.
The standard engine is a 247-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine teamed up with a five-speed automatic transmission. The standard Variable Torque Management system routes engine power to the wheels with the most traction, as conditions demand. Stability control, side and curtain airbags, and anti-lock brakes are standard.
The Ridgeline is offered in RT, RTX, RTS, and RTL editions. The RT includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, a CD player, a power sliding rear window, and keyless entry. The Ridgeline RTX features the same gear plus a standard trailer hitch and four- and seven-pin trailer wiring, plus alloy wheels, a unique grille, and body-color door handles.
Moving upscale, the Ridgeline RTS adds alloy wheels, a seven-speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer and six-disc, in-dash audio system with steering wheel-mounted controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-way power driver's seat.
The top Ridgeline is the RTL, which adds on a sunroof and XM, in addition to a HomeLink remote system, heated front seats, a DVD navigation system with voice recognition, and an MP3/ auxiliary input jack.
This year, the RTS and RTL get new wheel designs, and the RT, RTX, and RTS get new seat fabric. Tire pressure monitors are standard across the board.
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