The eccentric
It seems as though every Asian automaker is looking to make a strong mark in the lucrative pickup truck market. Toyota, Nissan and Honda are right in the mix, while Suzuki will soon offer its own model (albeit a clone of the Nissan Frontier). At Mitsubishi, the Raider pickup is exclusively sold in the US as a rebadged Dodge Dakota. Even Korean automaker Kia is considering jumping on the bandwagon.
In this growing wave of multi-configuration products, led by Detroit's Big Three, Honda is riding solo with a pretty unique model: the Ridgeline.
Unique because of its angular lines and massive panels that make it look like a full-size Tonka truck. The Ridgeline leaves no one indifferent.
One size fits all!
If the Ridgeline's distinctive styling surprises you, wait 'til you hear about its specifications. Unlike Toyota and Nissan, which chose to offer a wide array of powertrains, cabins, configurations and trim levels, Honda preferred to keep things simple by offering only one body structure and one powertrain. The Ridgeline is only available in 4-wheel drive, 4-door, short-box, V6 trim. That's it.
This pickup is also unique because of its unibody construction, meaning that the cargo box is fully integrated to the bodywork.
With the Ridgeline, Honda executives are primarily targeting car drivers who would like to have a second vehicle for recreational activities, work duties and family hauling. These consumers are very demanding; they're fond of comfort and gadgets, sophisticated stereos and navigation systems. Such features are found on the higher-end Ridgeline EX-L model, which I had the opportunity to test-drive (there's also a base LX model). In short, the Ridgeline is a cross between a premium sedan and a midsize pickup truck.
It seems as though every Asian automaker is looking to make a strong mark in the lucrative pickup truck market. Toyota, Nissan and Honda are right in the mix, while Suzuki will soon offer its own model (albeit a clone of the Nissan Frontier). At Mitsubishi, the Raider pickup is exclusively sold in the US as a rebadged Dodge Dakota. Even Korean automaker Kia is considering jumping on the bandwagon.
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| A tasteful blend of pickup truck and SUV. |
In this growing wave of multi-configuration products, led by Detroit's Big Three, Honda is riding solo with a pretty unique model: the Ridgeline.
Unique because of its angular lines and massive panels that make it look like a full-size Tonka truck. The Ridgeline leaves no one indifferent.
One size fits all!
If the Ridgeline's distinctive styling surprises you, wait 'til you hear about its specifications. Unlike Toyota and Nissan, which chose to offer a wide array of powertrains, cabins, configurations and trim levels, Honda preferred to keep things simple by offering only one body structure and one powertrain. The Ridgeline is only available in 4-wheel drive, 4-door, short-box, V6 trim. That's it.
This pickup is also unique because of its unibody construction, meaning that the cargo box is fully integrated to the bodywork.
With the Ridgeline, Honda executives are primarily targeting car drivers who would like to have a second vehicle for recreational activities, work duties and family hauling. These consumers are very demanding; they're fond of comfort and gadgets, sophisticated stereos and navigation systems. Such features are found on the higher-end Ridgeline EX-L model, which I had the opportunity to test-drive (there's also a base LX model). In short, the Ridgeline is a cross between a premium sedan and a midsize pickup truck.
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| Not the largest in the business, this 5-foot long cargo box allows you to carry a lot of things, even a pair of dirt bikes. |