2006 Honda Ridgeline Preview

The wide bed and nominal wheel arch intrusions not only allow the Ridgeline to tote ATVs and motorcycles, but also 4-foot wide

Honda wanted to make it clear to everybody at the debut that the Ridgeline, with its standard 4WD, is a capable off-roader. (Photo: Honda Canada)

sheets of plywood or drywall flat on the floor, unheard of in its compact/midsize pickup truck class.

With ATVs and dirt bikes in mind, Honda also showed video of the new truck foraging through mucky trails, up over rocky crags and through rushing waters, making sure all in attendance would walk away sold on the new truck's capabilities as an off-roader.

It comes standard with 4WD, unusual for the pickup truck segment but necessary for a vehicle that was derived from Honda's front-wheel drive architecture - FWD wouldn't go over too well in the Ridgeline's market.

But, of course, Honda already knows its pickup will be used more for urban use than roughing it up country, with those buyers opting for Honda's entry due to its similar hauling characteristics to a conventional open bed truck, superior car-like driving dynamics achieved via a fully independent suspension, with standard Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Traction

The Ridgeline sports a large cabin with the best rear legroom in the 4-door pickup class. (Photo: Honda Canada)

Control for safety's sake, an integrated cab and cargo box design, and excellent interior packaging.

The Ridgeline sports a large cabin with the best rear legroom in the 4-door pickup class, ideal for families not needing the third row of seats the brand's Pilot SUV offers, and alternatively needing exterior cargo capacity. A substantial portion of that storage can be found back inside the cab under the rear bench seat, enough room even for a set of golf clubs according to Honda. The rear seat cushions, split 60/40, lift up for larger items, such as a full-size mountain bike.