So far, it seems like a tie between "truck or not" for Honda's Ridgeline, with it's equal doses of utility and capability alongside car-like comfort and performance.
A tie-breaker was in order- and it was going down in the dirt. Question was, would the Ridgeline keep up with some bigger trucks on an off-road course? A small convoy was assembled to find out- including a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 with a suspension lift, and a 2005 Ford F-250 diesel with FX-4 off-road package. Both had body-on-frame construction, plenty of ground clearance and big V8 engines.
Albeit having a softer belly and requiring more care on account of its lower clearance, the Ridgeline kept up with the big boys for most of our course- including ruts, rocks, steep hills and mud. It's smaller, lighter and more nimble than the big trucks, leaving them and I both impressed at it's maneuverability. The unibody proved plenty stiff too- even when crawling across steep stretches of terrain with two diagonally opposite wheels in the air.
No one who drives a Ridgeline is going to torture it on a rutted, muddy course, but it's always nice to know you could.
After nearly 8 hours of off-road testing, some interesting events had taken place. The F-150 coughed up a leaf-spring, leaving the rear suspension a mangled mess and in need of a mechanic's attention. Additionally, the Silverado suffered a broken exhaust hanger, also requiring repair. The Ridgeline exited the bush and came back home.
Inconsequential, but interesting nonetheless. Both I and my skeptical partners could hardly believe that Honda's pickup did so well.
Some of the doubt had stemmed not from the hardware the Ridgeline has, but from what it doesn't. There's no low-range transfer case, which can be vital wherever lots of torque and minimal speed are required. It sits a bit too low to the ground, and the spare tire isn't a full size- meaning if you're towing and get a flat, you'll be waiting for a replacement to finish your trip. On that note, the Ridgeline has a towing capacity of 5000 lbs.
So to answer the original question: is Honda's Ridgeline a real truck?
The answer is yes.
But not a truck for pulling your mobile home or a hauling around skids of roofing shingles. If you don't need locomotive towing abilities, the Ridgeline is a great choice because it offers most of what people love about pickup trucks with none of the negatives.
So leave the big heavy jobs to the Dodges, GM's and Fords- and leave it to Honda to build a compromise free and efficient machine for everything else.
What's Hot: Clever storage space, clever rear cargo area, roomy and comfortable interior, nimble handling, respectable fuel mileage, fun to drive, best navigation system on the market, instant and automatic traction with VTM system.
What's Not: Steering wheel is too thick, heavy steering, sometimes inconsistent ESP system, cluttered and disorganized dashboard, no low range, no full sized spare.
For more details concerning this vehicle, please refer to the technical specifications and to the standard features list.
If you wish to test-drive or receive a price quotation for this vehicle, you only have to perform a retailer / dealer search in your region.
Photo Credit : Justin Pritchard and Chris Koski
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| Taking a mud bath with the Ridgeline. |
Albeit having a softer belly and requiring more care on account of its lower clearance, the Ridgeline kept up with the big boys for most of our course- including ruts, rocks, steep hills and mud. It's smaller, lighter and more nimble than the big trucks, leaving them and I both impressed at it's maneuverability. The unibody proved plenty stiff too- even when crawling across steep stretches of terrain with two diagonally opposite wheels in the air.
No one who drives a Ridgeline is going to torture it on a rutted, muddy course, but it's always nice to know you could.
After nearly 8 hours of off-road testing, some interesting events had taken place. The F-150 coughed up a leaf-spring, leaving the rear suspension a mangled mess and in need of a mechanic's attention. Additionally, the Silverado suffered a broken exhaust hanger, also requiring repair. The Ridgeline exited the bush and came back home.
Inconsequential, but interesting nonetheless. Both I and my skeptical partners could hardly believe that Honda's pickup did so well.
 |
| The Ridgeline is a multidisciplinary vehicle. |
So to answer the original question: is Honda's Ridgeline a real truck?
The answer is yes.
But not a truck for pulling your mobile home or a hauling around skids of roofing shingles. If you don't need locomotive towing abilities, the Ridgeline is a great choice because it offers most of what people love about pickup trucks with none of the negatives.
 |
| The dashboard could be more ergonomic. |
What's Hot: Clever storage space, clever rear cargo area, roomy and comfortable interior, nimble handling, respectable fuel mileage, fun to drive, best navigation system on the market, instant and automatic traction with VTM system.
What's Not: Steering wheel is too thick, heavy steering, sometimes inconsistent ESP system, cluttered and disorganized dashboard, no low range, no full sized spare.
For more details concerning this vehicle, please refer to the technical specifications and to the standard features list.
If you wish to test-drive or receive a price quotation for this vehicle, you only have to perform a retailer / dealer search in your region.
Photo Credit : Justin Pritchard and Chris Koski
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