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For those in search of an affordable truck that doesn’t hold back, the Honda Ridgeline can be an excellent option. It is essentially the only truck on the market that has the unibody platform that you typically find on a crossover or car instead of the traditional body-on-frame chassis. Honda proves that this works well when done correctly. The Ridgeline doesn’t sacrifice capabilities but delivers superior handling and a ride quality that you simply don’t expect from a pickup.
Capabilities
The only downside of the unique chassis of the Honda Ridgeline is if you choose to tow or go off-road and want excessive abilities. Most drivers will find the Ridgeline more than adequate in this area. However, you shouldn’t expect to spend all your time off-road in the Ridgeline. It also delivers a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which is respectable. This is enough for most, even if it does fall about 2,000 pounds short of the competition. For those who don’t need to tow more than this and want the truck body style, the Ridgeline is the perfect solution.
Truly Innovative Truck Bed
Most people who go with the Honda Ridgeline will do so because of its impressive truck bed and handling, not its towing or off-roading skills. The in-bed trunk is perfect for storing items that need to be kept away from prying eyes but don’t fit into the cabin. However, what really sets it apart is the fact that it is drainable, meaning it can become a portable cooler. The Ridgeline’s truck bed can also feature built-in speakers, something hard to find in the segment.
The bed’s tailgate can also swing open to the left or fold down like a traditional tailgate. For added versatility, this truck bed always has at least eight tie-downs, each of which can hold 350 pounds. There is a dry storage pocket that fits an available 400-watt power inverter for even more use.
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SUV-Like Interior
When you sit inside the cabin of the Honda Ridgeline, you may almost forget that you aren’t in the Pilot, the SUV it is based on and shares numerous components with. You will find an identical wing shape on the dashboard and the same choices for touchscreens with a wide instrument panel. Almost the only interior difference between the Ridgeline and Pilot is the transmission controls; the Ridgeline has a traditional lever, while the Pilot has buttons.
Because of its SUV-inspired interior, the Honda Ridgeline has a clear advantage over other midsize pickups in terms of backseat comfort. The extra interior volume means there is additional head and knee room. The backseat is also highly versatile, folding up along the back wall.
All You Want for Safety
Not only is the Honda Ridgeline highly affordable, it also protects you. All models have hill start assist and a multi-angle rearview camera. Many trims also have Honda LaneWatch. You also can get the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features, such as forward collision warning complete with automatic emergency braking. There are even available parking sensors. While adding these technologies clearly increases the price, the low MSRP makes even feature-filled models affordable.
