Almost in a class by itself
2018 Honda Ridgeline combines truck-like build with car-like qualities
Tsecond-generation 2018 Honda Ridgeline is listed by the EPA as a light-duty midsize pickup and is 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, the Ridgeline successfully combines the best of what makes Honda cars and SUVS so popular while addressing the needs of light-duty truck owners with its unique multipurpose bed.
The entry 2018 two-wheel-drive Ridgeline RT 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, unique Crystal Black Pear exterior, black interior and special black alloy 18-inch 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, the Ridgeline guarantees outstanding ride comfort and then complements 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, the 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, the 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 seeking.
Power comes from Honda’s 3.5-liter, 24-valve overhead cam
V-6 putting out 280 horses and 262 pound-feet 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 1 mpg with 19 city and 26 highway.
The Ridgeline’s automatic AWD system is fine but does not offer a low-range 4x4 gear, as 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, the Ridgeline is just fine for your normal off-road trail and camping weekends.
However, the 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 the Ridgeline is not built to tow a 10,000-pound gravel payload, its AWD tow rating of 5,000 pounds is very impressive.
The Ridgeline AWD also features standard trailer towing assist with harness and allows anything from towing a smaller boat to transporting a muscle car on a flatbed to the area drag strip.
Although the Ridgeline features the expected smaller cargo bed (5 feet 4 inches), it’s still longer than the other midsize competitors, has better payload numbers (1,500 pounds) and is the only midsize pickup that can carry the 4x8 sheets of plywood with its tailgate down (6 feet 11 inches).
Bed extensions to carry larger items are also available.
Additionally, every Ridgeline built features a hidden In-bed Trunk that offers 7.3 more cubic feet 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 liftgate that either drops down or swings aside makes for easy access, and there’s also a 150/400-watt power outlet out back. The 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 such as 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.)
In summary, the 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, the Honda Ridgeline delivers in all areas.