The mould changer
Pick-up trucks are huge sellers in North America. Last year, a pick-up was the best selling vehicle in Canada and has been for many years. For most urbanites though, these trucks are simply too much of a compromise where comfort and versatility are concerned. Because of this, manufacturers have been trying to cater to a larger audience by creating vehicles that are more multi-purpose with better passenger accommodations.
The all-new 2006 Honda Ridgeline pick-up is one such vehicle. This is the first time that Honda ventures into the pick up segment. It borrows many of the Honda Pilot's, Honda's largest SUV, mechanical components. Unlike most pick ups, the Ridgeline is available in only one body style: a configuration that is known as a Crew Cab, or a 4-door pick-up with a short box.
The base LX model is priced from $34,800 and up to $43,900 for an EX-L with navigation. We tested an EX-L that retails for $39,200.
Exterior styling
The first thing that will strike people with this truck is its exterior styling. It
is really unlike anything else on the road and is unique. By looking at it, you know you are faced with a pick up: it has a bed with a gate. Although it has the necessary features, the Ridgeline is not entirely square and boxy.
The front fascia does share a family resemblance with the Honda Element. The headlights, grille framing and portions of the bumper are similar. Like the Element, the looks of the Ridgeline are a question of liking it or hating it.
The most interesting elements of the Ridgeline's exterior have to do with the cargo area. The gate proposes two ways of being opened. The first is like a conventional one, it will flip down. The second, by pulling on a latch between the bumper and the gate, will have the gate swing open like a door. This way, access to the bed-located trunk is easier. This locking cargo hold can contain up to nearly 241 litres of stuff. Two issues come to light concerning the in-bed trunk. The first is that this is where the spare tire is located. If the bed is loaded with timber or dirt, good luck with your flat. The other is more of an annoyance; the trunk lid must be unlocked every time, and it cannot remain unlocked.
Interior styling
The design of the cabin is also different. It again shares ideas first used in the Element such as the cubby hole above the glove compartment and the positioning of the gauges. The dashboard layout uses the maximum of the available space. This does mean that some controls, the fan speed for example, are a little out of reach from the driver. Otherwise, HVAC and audio controls are fairly straightforward.
Front row seats are comfortable. The second row's seatbacks are too vertical to be restful on a long trip. Room for the passengers is good in general and with the lower seat cushion flip up in the rear; cargo volume is also very worthy.
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The all-new 2006 Honda Ridgeline pick-up is one such vehicle. This is the first time that Honda ventures into the pick up segment. It borrows many of the Honda Pilot's, Honda's largest SUV, mechanical components. Unlike most pick ups, the Ridgeline is available in only one body style: a configuration that is known as a Crew Cab, or a 4-door pick-up with a short box.
The base LX model is priced from $34,800 and up to $43,900 for an EX-L with navigation. We tested an EX-L that retails for $39,200.
Exterior styling
The first thing that will strike people with this truck is its exterior styling. It
 |
The front fascia does share a family resemblance with the Honda Element. The headlights, grille framing and portions of the bumper are similar. Like the Element, the looks of the Ridgeline are a question of liking it or hating it.
The most interesting elements of the Ridgeline's exterior have to do with the cargo area. The gate proposes two ways of being opened. The first is like a conventional one, it will flip down. The second, by pulling on a latch between the bumper and the gate, will have the gate swing open like a door. This way, access to the bed-located trunk is easier. This locking cargo hold can contain up to nearly 241 litres of stuff. Two issues come to light concerning the in-bed trunk. The first is that this is where the spare tire is located. If the bed is loaded with timber or dirt, good luck with your flat. The other is more of an annoyance; the trunk lid must be unlocked every time, and it cannot remain unlocked.
Interior styling
 |
Front row seats are comfortable. The second row's seatbacks are too vertical to be restful on a long trip. Room for the passengers is good in general and with the lower seat cushion flip up in the rear; cargo volume is also very worthy.