Honda Ridgeline - efficient machine at an affordable price

 Virtually unchanged from last year, the 2011 Honda Ridgeline continues to stand alone as a niche product in the pickup truck arena. Although classified as a standard pickup truck by the EPA, which lumps it in with the likes of the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado
, its exterior dimensions really fall somewhere between standard pickups and compact pickups including Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. Like the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, Ridgeline is tough to pigeon hole.

More speculation surrounded the 2011 Ridgeline than the possibility of a Palin 2012 presidential run. At one point Honda execs seemed to indicate that 2011 would bring a total redesign for this pickup first introduced as a 2006 model. But hold the phone; Honda then clarified things by saying Ridgeline would return as is for 2011. Will the total redesign come for 2012? Maybe and maybe not. Although through the first nine months of this year Ridgeline sales are up marginally from the same period in 2009, the total for 2010 is on track to be roughly 15,000 units. With an original marketing plan based on 50,000 unit sales per year, Ridgeline's future could be in some jeopardy.
In the meantime, the 2011 Ridgeline is, in nearly every respect, a terrific choice for people who don't need the towing or cargo capacity of a full-size pickup. As with its size, Ridgeline's price also stakes out the territory, with some overlap, between full-size and smaller pickups. My test Ridgeline was the top-of-the-line $37,610 RTL with Navigation. Prices, however, begin at $29,680 for the RT. There are also the RTS and RTL without Navigation arranged between the highest and lowest priced versions. As with other Honda nameplates, there are no factory options for the specific trim levels. Gaining more content requires moving up to one of the more expensive trims.
The only configuration Honda offers is a four-door crew cab with a five-foot cargo box.
Propelling every Ridgeline is the same 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The transmission doesn't vary either; engine output is escorted to all four wheels via a five-speed automatic tranny. The AWD system is intuitive and engineered for foul weather. It doesn't provide a 4-wheel low gear for the serious off roader. An extra-cost wiring harness is required, but Ridgeline will tow up to 5,000 pounds. Acceleration is leisurely, but determined. You don't need to worry about being run over by the traffic behind you when the light goes green, but you won't be blowing the doors off of the Toyota Tacoma next to you either.

Because the Ridgeline is bigger and heavier than it looks, its fuel economy isn't significantly better than a full-size pickup. On the flip side, it is only marginally worse than a smaller pickup. The EPA estimates its mpg at 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. These are the same EPA numbers scored by the V8-equipped full-size Toyota Tundra CrewMax pickup, and nearly the same EPA ratings of the V6-equipped Tacoma Double Cab 4WD at 16 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

Decidedly car like in its road manners, Ridgeline sacrifices some of the utility and ruggedness of full-size pickups for a more pliant ride and relaxed handling. Key elements of its four-wheel independent suspension are MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link setup in the rear. Managing to absorb most pavement inconsistencies, the underpinnings also help keep this pickup tethered to the asphalt when cornering. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-season rubber are standard on the RTL. The other trim levels get 17-inch ones.

Antilock disc brakes on all four wheels bring Ridgeline to controlled stops. Traction control and stability control are built into the package, as are electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency braking assist.

Even the low-end RT comes standard with six airbags, air conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, power-sliding rear window and a six-speaker audio system with CD player. By the time you work your way up to the RTL you also get dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant controls for the upgraded seven-speaker audio system with in-dash six-disc CD player, satellite radio and auxiliary input jack, leather seating with heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and Bluetooth connectivity. The RTL with Navigation, of course, comes with a GPS-based nav unit.

The cabin is comfortable and fairly roomy. Legroom front and rear is decent. The split 60/40 rear seat has bottom cushions that fold up to reveal storage compartments. Straightforward, all the controls are easy to find and use. The layout of the dashboard is uncomplicated.

Two unique cargo-box features are worth mentioning. The first is the dual-operation tailgate that either folds down or swings open from the side. The other unexpected feature is the 8.5 cubic-foot lockable storage area beneath the cargo floor. It can function like the trunk of a car, or it can even be filled with ice and beverages for tailgating thanks to its drain plugs.

If you need a pickup for heavy-duty towing or other rugged work-related chores, Ridgeline might not be the best choice. However for drivers who only need a truck for light duty or the occasional weekend job-jar task, Ridgeline should be more than adequate. The rest of the time it will play the part of people mover without breaking the bank.

by Russ Heaps - MyCarData