Honda Ridgeline: A comfortable and versatile midsize pickup truck
GLEANER JAMAICA
The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup truck that offers a unique blend of car-like ride comfort, utility, and technology.
The brand has long ditched the design concept of the first-generation Ridgeline, which had no dividing line between bed and cabin. Now, it more resembles a traditional pick- up, with a large bed with a number of features that make it more versatile such as a built-in trunk, which can also be used as a cooler. Adjacent to this is a hidden compartment that stores the spare tyre.
Once I entered the vehicle, I realised how spacious it felt due to the huge centre console, which acts like an island between driver and front passenger.
There are also individual armrests mounted on both front seats and a secret storage compartment that can hold a medium-sized handbag in the centre console. Nonetheless, with all of this, I still felt like at 6.55 feet, it was wider than most pickups, and I was right, with the standard bearer Toyota Hilux being narrower at 6.05 feet wide.
The leather front seats are supportive and well-cushioned, with side bolsters and adjustable lumbar support for the driver. The rear seats are spacious enough for three adults, but what really stands out for me is how innovative Honda is with creating more storage compartments. The 60/40 split rear-seat configuration can be folded up from the floor, which allows for a medium-sized mountain bike to be placed upright in the second row.
When the seats are placed down, a hollow space exists between the base of the seat and the floor, which is ideal for storing delicate items like fruits.
The interior is well-appointed, with soft-touch materials and a modern design. The dashboard is easy to use, and the controls are well-placed. The Ridgeline also comes standard with a number of features, including a rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a six-speaker sound system. A quirky, but nifty feature is the conversational mirror. It is a concave mirror that is incorporated into the sunglasses holder in the overhead console. When it is in use, it allows the driver to have eye contact with the rear passengers and is excellent for parents who want to monitor kids.
Ride quality
The Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The driving options, such as reverse or neutral, are controlled by buttons instead of a traditional gear lever.
The Honda Ridgeline has one of the best rides in the midsize pickup truck class. It’s smooth and comfortable on the highway, and it handles well for a pickup. It shares its unibody chassis with the Odyssey, Passport, and Pilot, and has independent rear suspension. This gives the Ridgeline a more car-like ride than its competitors, which typically have body-on-frame construction and solid rear axles.
The all-wheel drive system helps to keep it planted on the road in all weather conditions and improves handling, with little to no body roll.
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is a great choice for buyers who want a comfortable and versatile midsize pickup truck. It’s not the most powerful or capable truck on the market, however it will be able to handle light-duty towing and hauling.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the Ridgeline’s pros and cons:
Pros:
Car-like ride comfort
Spacious and comfortable interior
Versatile bed with a number of features
Standard safety features
Available advanced safety features
Cons:
Not the most powerful or capable truck on the market
Single engine option
Price of tested model: $12.6m
Price Range/ Options:
Engine: 3.5 litre V6
Torque: 262 lb-ft at 4700 rpm
Transmission: AWD, 9-speed automatic
Fuel tank: 73.8 litre
Body Type: pickup
Competition: Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Mazda BT50, VW Amarok, GWM P Series.
