Green Car Wash: Less Than One Glass of Water For...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2010 Honda Ridgeline Review

October 20, 2009

STYLING | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

It'll attract crossover owners who hanker for a cargo bed
Automobile Magazine

clearly designed to look more familial with the recently released and redesigned Honda Pilot
Motor Trend

There are some problems with the Ridgeline's styling and design
Cars.com

The 2010 Honda Ridgeline's styling isn't widely loved or appreciated on the outside, but some people warm up to the functionality of the interior.

Honda made a number of small changes to the Ridgeline's styling last year, but the truck's overall look remains the same. Overall, reviewers' responses are lukewarm. Motor Trend says that Honda's pickup offering is "clearly designed to look more familial with the recently released and redesigned Honda Pilot," although some of the styling cues afford "the new Ridgeline a more masculine look." Automobile Magazine reacts a bit more positively, remarking that the styling "works a lot better" than before. Cars.com states bluntly that there are "some problems with the Ridgeline's styling and design," including the fact that "a traditional bed cap or bed-mounted crossover toolbox won't fit, [and] there's a limited selection of tonneau covers." Specifically, updates last year included "a redesigned front fascia, grille, bumper, and taillight assembly," according to Car and Driver.

A number of changes were also made to the interior last year, although the actual location of controls and displays wasn't significantly changed. Automobile Magazine still feels that "whoever was in charge of control placement must have flunked human factors design," thanks to awkward elements, like a sunroof switch sitting next to the tachometer and a dome lamp switch that is isolated from all other cabin lighting controls. Motor Trend delves into the Honda Ridgeline's tiny details to spot "slight changes to the gauge shaping and to the choices of type styles for the tachometer and speedometer." Despite the changes, ConsumerGuide comments that "some radio adjustments require a stretch." On the positive side, Car and Driver points out that this 2010 Honda Ridgeline features "better switchgear throughout," and "it seems like almost everything inside has been revised in some way."

Conclusion

The 2010 Honda Ridgeline is odd-looking to say the least, and last year's bevy of changes doesn't take a pronounced step in the right direction.

STYLING | 5 out of 10Expert Quotes:It'll attract crossover owners who hanker for a cargo bedAutomobile Magazineclearly designed to look more familial with the recently released and redesigned Honda PilotMotor TrendThere are some problems with the Ridgeline's styling and designCars.com The 2010 Honda Ridgeline's styling isn't widely loved or appreciated on the outside, but some people warm up to the functionality of the interior. Honda made a number of small changes to the Ridgeline's styling last year, but the truck's overall look remains the same. Overall, reviewers' responses are lukewarm. Motor Trend says that Honda's pickup offering is "clearly designed to look more familial with the recently released and redesigned Honda Pilot," although some of the styling cues afford "the new Ridgeline a more masculine look." Automobile Magazine reacts a bit more positively, remarking that the styling "works a lot better" than before. Cars.com states bluntly that there are "some problems with the Ridgeline's styling and design," including the fact that "a traditional bed cap or bed-mounted crossover toolbox won't fit, [and] there's a limited selection of tonneau covers." Specifically, updates last year included "a redesigned front fascia, grille, bumper, and taillight assembly," according to Car and Driver. A number of changes were also made to the interior last year, although the actual location of controls and displays wasn't significantly changed. Automobile Magazine still feels that "whoever was in charge of control placement must have flunked human factors design," thanks to awkward elements, like a sunroof switch sitting next to the tachometer and a dome lamp switch that is isolated from all other cabin lighting controls. Motor Trend delves into the Honda Ridgeline's tiny details to spot "slight changes to the gauge shaping and to the choices of type styles for the tachometer and speedometer." Despite the changes, ConsumerGuide comments that "some radio adjustments require a stretch." On the positive side, Car and Driver points out that this 2010 Honda Ridgeline features "better switchgear throughout," and "it seems like almost everything inside has been revised in some way." ConclusionThe 2010 Honda Ridgeline is odd-looking to say the least, and last year's bevy of changes doesn't take a pronounced step in the right direction. 2010 HONDA RIDGELINE STYLING | [5 out of 10] Automobile Magazine: "It'll attract crossover owners who hanker for a cargo bed" Motor Trend: "clearly designed to look more familial with the recently released and redesigned Honda Pilot " Cars.com: "There are some problems with the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2010 Honda Ridgeline is more refined and sophisticated than anything else this size with a pickup bed. And its body style is very different than anything else, which makes it tough to pick out direct rivals as they range through compact and mid-size trucks, most of which have more traditional layouts with burly frames and unforgiving leaf-spring rear suspensions. To its credit, the 2010 Ridgeline comes with all that's necessary to tow or haul its heaviest rated loads, and for any rivals that'll mean extra boxes to check. The Explorer Sport Trac is the closest in concept to the Ridgeline; it has a shorter bed, but there's an optional V-8 that outdoes the Ridgeline, at least for low-speed hauling. Even though the design is dated, it's still quite attractive. The Nissan Frontier and nearly identical Suzuki Equator are also possibilities; they're both especially rugged in look and feel and come in a variety of trims, including focused off-road models. Another possibility is the Dodge Dakota, but the Dakota doesn't ride or handle well. The Toyota Tacoma is probably the best choice for frugal shoppers, thanks to its strong resale value, as well as decent performance and fuel economy with the standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2010 Honda Ridgeline from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2010 Honda Ridgeline

Check Financing Rates

for the 2010 Honda Ridgeline

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2010 Honda Ridgeline near you

See the Honda Ridgeline in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (2 total)

  1. By  Sunshine Mel #1, Posted: 10/22/2009

    5,000 pound towing capacity is pretty good for a the size. I would have liked to see better gas mileage, but overall - I'd consider it for our family.

  2. By donbennett2000 #2, Posted: 10/22/2009

    Thank you for the info on the New Honda Ridgeline, I sell Honda's for a profession.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy