Honda Chooses Ridgeline for All-New 4-Door 4WD Truck Name

But is the Ridgeline only about pickup truck styling and light-duty hauling? Not at all, says Honda. It can actually manage true

The Ridgeline has plenty of interior room, making it an alternative to those not needing the third row of seats an SUV offers (previous SUT Concept Shown). (Photo: Honda Canada)

half-ton payloads, thanks to a fully integrated, closed-box frame. This gives it much greater body rigidity than conventional pickup trucks, while still featuring a 5-foot bed.

Smartly, Honda designed the Ridgeline to carry what to many would be the ultimate load of cargo, two of the Japanese brand's largest off-road motorcycles, the CRF450.

The Ridgeline sports a large cabin, ideal for families not needing the third row of seats the brand's Pilot SUV offers, and alternatively needing exterior cargo capacity. Ridgeline is based off of the Pilot actually,

Smartly, Honda designed the Ridgeline to carry what to many would be the ultimate load of cargo, two of the Japanese brand's largest off-road motorcycles, the CRF450 (previous SUT Concept Shown). (Photo: Honda Canada)

which itself comes from Honda Odyssey lineage, and like the popular SUV and minivan the new pickup is stowable in an average size garage.

What's under the hood? Just like the Pilot and Odyssey, Ridgeline sports Honda's high-output 3.5-liter V6, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The connection to all four wheels comes via a fully automatic 4-wheel drive system, ideal for heavy rain and snow, but once again not designed for treacherous terrain.

Standard safety features include 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, side curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control.

Expect more Ridgeline details in January, just after the new Honda officially debuts at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and 2005 Montreal International Auto Show.