Strengths

Comfortable ride; good payload and towing capacity; extensive standard safety equipment

 

Changes

Not much has changed for the Ridgeline in 2010, as it got a pretty thorough freshening for the 2009 model year. No new features have been added, but there are three new paint colors: Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Polished Metal Metallic. We can likely expect an all-new, more fuel-efficient Ridgeline for 2011.

 

Value

The Ridgeline competes the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram 1500. The Honda pickup is a bit more expensive than those, with a starting price over $28,000, but it is the only truck in its segment to use a closed-box frame with unit-body construction. It also uses independent front and rear suspension, and has the clever in-bed trunk for lockable exterior storage.

 

Overview

The Ridgeline has three trim levels, and they are all powered by a 3.5-liter, 250-hp V6 engine that makes 247 lb-ft of torque and utilizes a drive-by-wire electric throttle. The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission in all three models, and they all have a locking rear differential. They all tow 5000 pounds, and have a 1500-pound payload capacity.

The Ridgeline is known as much for its smooth ride as for its tough-guy capabilities, thanks to its closed-box frame and independent suspension. It also has a slew of standard safety features, such as 3-point seatbelts for all five seats, air bags all around, ABS, stability assist with traction control, brake assist, and tire pressure monitoring. All of those features are standard across the board. The top-end RTL, when equipped with the navigation system, also has location and pressure indicators for the tires as well.

The base level RT has air conditioning with an air filtration system, power everything, cruise control, and a 6-speaker audio system with MP3 playback. The RTS adds a security system, privacy glass, dual-zone climate controls and a more powerful seven-speaker stereo system with controls on the steering wheel. Like the RTL, it comes with a trailer harness.

The RTL has everything the RT and RTS do, plus 18-inch alloy wheels, a moonroof, heated mirrors, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, Homelink and XM satellite radio. It's also the only trim level to have an optional navigation system, which adds Bluetooth connectivity and a programmable multi-information display.