Yeah, I know, the Ridgeline has been around since 2006 and has not become the successful mid-size alternative pickup that Honda had hoped, but I've got a hunch that this might change sooner than later. You see, I've spent a considerable amount of time over the last few months behind the wheels of many a pickup, light and heavy duty, and have noticed that they are all heading in one direction: being more things to more people.
The Ridgeline comes from a minivan cum SUV platform that not only makes it civilized and easy to drive, but gives it a level of refinement that the other pickups are attempting to emulate. I'd call that an advantage. Likewise, the passenger quarters are lifted from the Pilot SUV, but made to imitate that of a truck. Are you starting to see what I'm trying to say?
Light styling
The fact that the Ridgeline is not a real-deal pickup is evident in its styling. Although far from outright ugly, its upright front fascia and flat-flared sides do give it some street-cred as a truck. The 2009 facelift helped tremendously in chiselling its grille and headlights. The restyled wheels also work towards improving the Ridgeline's posture when sitting next to a Dodge Dakota. Even so, it pales compared to others where machismo is required.
The most polarizing aspect of the Ridgeline is its bed. Those who like the 5-foot bed with the genius lockable trunk are most likely those that have no real use for a pickup. The tidy dimensions are perfect for hauling a pair (or more) of bicycles or even a small ATV. The dual-action tailgate is another feature that does wonders for bed and trunk access. On the other hand, most materials for construction or otherwise will not fit in such a length-limited bed. As well, the 705 kg (1,554 lb) payload could be considered borderline for larger items.
The Ridgeline comes from a minivan cum SUV platform that not only makes it civilized and easy to drive, but gives it a level of refinement that the other pickups are attempting to emulate. I'd call that an advantage. Likewise, the passenger quarters are lifted from the Pilot SUV, but made to imitate that of a truck. Are you starting to see what I'm trying to say?
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| The Ridgeline comes from a minivan cum SUV platform that not only makes it civilized and easy to drive. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Light styling
The fact that the Ridgeline is not a real-deal pickup is evident in its styling. Although far from outright ugly, its upright front fascia and flat-flared sides do give it some street-cred as a truck. The 2009 facelift helped tremendously in chiselling its grille and headlights. The restyled wheels also work towards improving the Ridgeline's posture when sitting next to a Dodge Dakota. Even so, it pales compared to others where machismo is required.
The most polarizing aspect of the Ridgeline is its bed. Those who like the 5-foot bed with the genius lockable trunk are most likely those that have no real use for a pickup. The tidy dimensions are perfect for hauling a pair (or more) of bicycles or even a small ATV. The dual-action tailgate is another feature that does wonders for bed and trunk access. On the other hand, most materials for construction or otherwise will not fit in such a length-limited bed. As well, the 705 kg (1,554 lb) payload could be considered borderline for larger items.
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| The tidy dimensions of the bed are perfect for hauling a pair (or more) of bicycles or even a small ATV. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |