Honda Ridgeline Interior Review
Inside, the Ridgeline is all about comfort, convenience and space, which Honda says it has more of than any other truck in the class. Bucket seats come standard in front with a center console. The split folding 60/40 rear seat is actually comfortable for two adults, with a 24-degree backrest angle, more like a front seat. A 6-foot male driver would be able to fit behind himself in the back seat with ample leg room and knee room.
We found the driver and front passenger seats to be roomy, comfortable and supportive, with plenty of adjustment range for rake and travel. Although the rear doors are shorter than the fronts, standard practice in this segment, there's no problem getting in or out, and the rear seat is nearly as roomy and versatile as the front, with a split/fold feature for large covered cargoes and under-seat storage like an airliner for even more family stuff.
The instruments and controls follow the Odyssey, Pilot, and Element trucks in style and layout, with large, easily readable graphics throughout. The 8-inch screen navigation system, optional on our RTL test model, is a paradigm for size, brightness, contrast and overall ease of use.
Honda Ridgeline Road Test
The Honda Ridgeline is a relatively heavy vehicle with its four doors, five seats, all-wheel-drive system and independent front and rear suspension, but the V6 engine is low-down powerful, gutsy and flexible, without the thrashiness of some V6s. The transmission upshifting and downshifting was instantaneous, decisive, and nearly imperceptible. ABS brakes were sure stoppers in an unladen condition with one passenger.
The incredibly high stiffness and strength of this body and chassis combination and the isolation of the drivetrain and suspension from the cab make the Ridgeline a joy to drive. It is quieter and more refined than all of the major competition, all of which we drove on the same day over the same course, without a lot of jarring inputs reaching the driver's seat or fingertips. Independent suspension front and rear is an industry first in this segment, and the ride over choppy surfaces or off-road is excellent.
The stiffness of the body and chassis contributed to crisp, sure handling over twisty two-lane roads in San Diego County. The combination of all-wheel-drive and the industry's only vehicle stability system on a midsize truck lets the driver fly around corners with abandon. It felt lighter on its feet than the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, Toyota Tundra TRD, and Chevy Colorado.
Honda Ridgeline Lineup
The Ridgeline will be sold in three different levels of standard equipment, but there are no exterior badges on the tailgate to indicate the model.
The RT ($27,700) is the base model, followed by the RTS ($30,075) and RTL ($31,490) versions, topped by the RTL with a navigation system, XM Satellite Radio and a moonroof ($34,640).
RT has black bumpers, black door handles and steel wheels while the other two use body-color handles and bumpers and alloy wheels. RT has manual seats, RTS and RTL power seats. RT has no lumbar support, RTS has manual lumbar, and RTL has power lumbar. The base RT audio system pumps 100 watts, the other two 160 watts and seven instead of six speakers. RTS has alloy wheels, 6-disc changer, dual-zone climate control, and eight-way driver's seat. RTL has heated leather seats, HomeLink, and XM.
Options include XM Satellite Radio, an MP3 digital interface, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls on RTS and RTL, satellite navigation and a roof-mounted DVD entertainment system.
All models are powered by the excellent Honda 3.5-liter engine, all models will have a five-speed automatic transmission, and all models will have Honda's automatic VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system that normally proportions drive 60 percent to the front wheels, 40 percent to the rear, and can go to 30/70 when necessary. It incorporates a limited-slip differential and a Lock feature.
Safety equipment standard on Ridgeline includes anti-lock brakes, traction control, vehicle stability assist, standard all-wheel drive, front multi-stage airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, lap and shoulder belts for all seating positions and LATCH systems for each of the three rear seating positions. It adds up to more safety equipment than any other truck in its class, according to Honda.