Test Drive: 2018 Honda Ridgeline
Entry Price: $29,990 Price as Tested: $42,820
This week, we’re behind the wheel of the second generation 2018 Honda Ridgeline, listed by the EPA as a light duty midsize pickup and built by an American-based workforce in Lincoln, Alabama. With a unique blend of car, SUV and truck inner-workings, the Ridgeline easily seats five-passengers and comes in the ever popular four-door crew-cab design.
Currently available in six distinct trims, Ridgeline engineers successfully combine the best of what makes Honda cars and SUVs so popular while addressing the needs of light duty truck owners with its unique multi-purpose bed.
The entry 2018 Ridgeline RT two-wheel-drive (2WD) starts at just $29,990, and then escalates up the price ladder as more standard features are added. The most expensive Ridgeline is a new for 2018 Black Edition that arrives with standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) and unique Crystal Black Pear exterior, black interior and special black alloy 18inch wheels starting at $43,420. Our upper class RTL-E featured standard AWD mechanicals and lists for $41,920. Our tester was near fully loaded and had zero options as the final tally came in at $42,820 with the $900 delivery fee added.
Built on a unibody chassis instead of a full truck chassis, Ridgeline guarantees outstanding ride comfort and then compliments the theme with a steel reinforced bed and a multitude of SUV, car and pickup truck features. The Ridgeline is almost in a class by itself and proof of its solid build comes via the many awards it has already received, including the “North American Truck of the Year” award at last year’s Detroit Auto Show.
Historically, Honda Ridgeline isn’t an all-new model by any means. It’s been around now for 12 years, debuting in 2006 with assembly in Canada. Through the years, Ridgeline attracted more and more interest to where today this new generation with enhanced car-like and pickup attributes is just what many consumers are looking.
Power comes from Honda’s 3.5-liter, 24 valve overhead cam V6 putting out 280 horses and 262 lb. ft. of torque. Coupled to a heavy duty cooled six-speed automatic, the AWD owners can expect 18 city and 25 highway EPA mileage numbers (both very good) while the 2WD owner will expect an additional one MPG with 19 city and 26 highway.
Ridgeline’s automatic AWD system is fine, but does not offer a lowrange 4x4 gear like many competitors do. If you’re thinking serious off-road excursions, think again. This is not a go anywhere 4x4 heavy duty vehicle, so keep this in mind if someone dares you to go where you shouldn’t while in the back mountains. Otherwise, Ridgeline is just fine for your normal off-road trail and camping weekends.
However, Ridgeline’s dual personality can accomplish most every normal pickup truck duty, from towing to hauling cargo, and then convert into the daily family cruiser in a comfortable manner. Although Ridgeline is not built to tow a 10,000-pound gravel payload, its AWD tow rating of 5,000 pounds is very impressive. Ridgeline AWD also features standard trailer towing assist with harness and allows towing a smaller boat to transporting a muscle car on a flatbed to the area drag strip.
Although Ridgeline features the expected smaller cargo bed (5feet-4), it’s still longer than the other mid-size competitors, has better payload numbers (1,500 pounds) and is the only mid-size pickup that can carry the 4x8 sheets of plywood with its tailgate down (6-feet-11). Bed extensions to carry larger items are also available.
Additionally, every Ridgeline built features a hidden In-Bed Trunk that offers up 7.3 more cu. ft. of cargo space located at the rear of the steel bed. It’s lockable and perfect for extra cargo like an 82 quart cooler, small suitcases or a tool chest. The bed also features a drain plug that allows it to serve as an ice chest itself. The dual action lift gate that either drops down or swings aside makes for easy access and there’s also a 150/400 watt power outlet out back. Ridgeline is the only truck available with the In-Bed Trunk feature that also features hooks for those plastic grocery bags that always seem to spill items before you get home. (Well done Honda).
Standard on the RTL-E is a great sounding 540 watt premium Apple/ Android compatible eight-speaker stereo system with NAV and the heralded Honda Sensing Safety package. The latter features high tech safety items like collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision, and lane departure warning. Notable is that the RTL-E also comes with a unique speaker system located in the truck bed, something those who enjoy tailgating and off-roading will love. (My neighbor just bought a Ridgeline RTL-E, and he loves it along with its standard moonroof and cross traffic monitor).
There are more amenities and standard features I’d like to write about, but space concerns dictate that your Honda dealer will explain everything when you visit.
Important numbers include a wheelbase of 125.2 inches, 4,515 lb. curb weight, 44.4 ft. turn circle, 18-inch tires on alloys, 7.87 inch ground clearance and a 19.5 gallon fuel tank for unleaded regular.
In summary, Ridgeline’s popularity comes from its new generation engineering that features a more truck-like build without sacrificing its car-like qualities. Be it the spacious five passenger seating, handling sophistication or hauling/ towing capability, Honda Ridgeline delivers in all areas.
Likes: Multi-purpose extraordinaire, Honda V6 power, unique cargo bed.
Dislikes: No low range 4x4, touch screen learning curve.