The Ridgeline is an impressive new mid-sized truck offering from Honda. Rather than going with the normal body-on-frame structure, Honda has created a unit-body truck with an integrated box frame. The result is a truck with a fully-independent suspension and an abundance of clever and useful storage. Ridgeline's bed is 5 ft long and features a load floor that allows 4x8 sheets of plywood to sit flat. The tailgate can be lowered in a traditional truck fashion, or swung open to one side allowing more access to the bed. Ridgeline features an industry-first trunk beneath the bed. Located in the rear of the truck the 8.5 cu-ft trunk is lockable and weather tight. It also houses the spare tire out of the way of would-be thieves. On the inside, there is seating for 5. The rear seat features storage underneath. The rear seat can also be stowed upright allowing bulky items to be hauled in the cab. Available in one mechanical configuration, Ridgeline is offered with a 3.5L V6, 5-speed automatic, and full-time all-wheel-drive. The engine is rated at 250hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. Honda claims 1/2 ton capacity on the bed, and a 5000 lb towing capacity. It remains to be seen if any competitors adopt some of the ideas on the Ridgeline, but Honda should have no trouble lining up the type of customers it is seeking.

What Changed:

First-ever truck offering from Honda. Ridgeline has a unit-body structure with an integrated frame. It is offered in three trim levels and one mechanical configuration. Power is provided by a 250hp V6 to all four wheels with a full-time four-wheel drive system. A 5-speed automatic is standard. A number of innovations have been added including a dual-hinged tailgate and an under-floor trunk for secure storage.