Honda Ridgeline

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Honda Ridgeline

Manufacturer:	Honda
Production:	2006—present
Class:	Full-size pickup truck
Engine:	3.5 L 247 hp V6
Transmission:	5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Wheelbase:	122.00 in.
Length:	206.80 in.
Width:	77.80 in.
Height:	70.30 in.
Fuel capacity:	22 gal.
Related:	Acura MDX Acura TL Honda Pilot Honda Accord Honda Odyssey
Similar:	Chevrolet Avalanche Dodge Ram Nissan Titan Toyota Tundra

The Honda Ridgeline is a full-size pickup truck produced by the Japanese automaker Honda. The Ridgeline is Honda's first foray into the North American pickup truck market. The Ridgeline is built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada alongside the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX, and was released in March 2005 as a 2006 model.

1 Unibody architecture
2 Equipment
3 Specifications
4 Awards
5 External links

[edit] Unibody architecture

Controversially, amongst truck purists, is its use of a unique industry first ladder frame / unibody hybrid chassis. According to Honda, this design gives it 2.5 times more bending rigidity and 20% more torsional rigidity than the standard ladder frame only type of chassis construction, while retaining the load carrying capacity of the traditional ladder frame. This design combined with the Ridgelines' four-wheel independent suspension creates enough space for Honda to create the first pickup truck to include a storage trunk below the bed. To aid access to the trunk, the Ridgeline features a dual hinged tailgate, which in addition to opening conventionally can also be swung to the side. The bed is integrated with the body, similar to the Chevrolet Avalanche. It is rated with a 5000 lb towing capacity and a 1100 lb bed capacity.

Many truck purists claim that due to the use of unibody construction and independent suspension the Ridgeline is not a "real" truck. Honda countered this by saying that as a result of market research they concluded that a truck with robust yet medium-duty off-road capability was most consistent with the needs of the customer and that medium-duty capability readily supports trips to remote trailheads for motorcycle, all terrain vehicle and mountain bike riding, and camping, as well as the weekend requirements of home ownership such as runs to the local home improvement store (its 49" wide bed allows sheets of ply and wallboard to be laid flat) and removal of yard waste.

The Ridgeline has 8.2 inches of ground clearance, a 25-degree approach angle, a 22-degree departure angle, and a 21-degree breakover angle for negotiating rough terrain. It can ascend a 28-degree (53%) dirt slope from a complete stop.

[edit] Equipment

Anti-lock brakes, heated windshield, four wheel drive locking mode, and VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) with off switch (for off- road use), and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment. The Ridgeline also has a large rear seat with the ability to fold-up creating a floor to ceiling cargo space. Four trim levels are available: basic RT, RTX, sport RTS and premium RTL (with optional moonroof or moonroof and GPS Navigation).

The RT trim level features cloth upholstery, basic CD/AM/FM stereo, and painted steel wheels. The RTX, introduced with the 2007 model year, adds gray-painted alloy wheels, an alternate grille, body-colored door handles, and factory tow package. The RTS features different upholstery material and adds a 6-CD changer, subwoofer, body-colored mirrors, silver-painted alloy wheels, and premium climate control system. The RTL adds leather trimmed upholstery; for the 2007 model year, a moonroof and (((XM))) radio are standard on the RTL.

[edit] Specifications

The Ridgeline is powered by a J35A91 3.5 L V6 with a five-speed automatic transmission. The real-time all-wheel drive system operates in front-wheel drive mode under normal conditions and automatically transfers power to either rear wheel via a locking differential when it senses a loss of traction in the front.

[edit] Awards

Motor Trend truck of the year 2006
North American Truck of the year 2006
Detroit News truck of the year 2006
Consumer Reports top rated truck
JD Power & Associates 2005 APEAL award for the Honda Ridgeline
Autobytel 2006 Editors' Choice Award: Truck of the year 2006
Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Best New Pickup 2006
On Wheels Incorporated: Ridgeline 2006 Urban Wheel Award for the Urban Truck of the Year
Ridgeline wins Strategic Vision's "Most Delightful" compact pickup award.
best rollover resistance rating of any pickup tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
first-ever 4-door pickup to earn a 5-star safety rating for both front and side impact crash test performance from the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Society of Plastic Engineers 2005 Grand Award (composite inbed trunk)
Car And Driver Rates Honda Ridgeline #1 Pickup.
AutoWeek Editors' Choice Award as the 'Most Significant' new vehicle in the show
Maxim Truck Of The Year 2006
Autoweb.com top ten tailgater
AutoPacific 2006 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Sport Utility Trucks