2017 Honda Ridgeline

New for 2017

The Ridgeline is completely new for 2017.

The total package 

Pickup trucks are rugged and practical, but they also have a reputation for being somewhat crude. With that being the case, a vehicle that could combine the capability of a traditional pickup with the refinement and fuel efficiency of a car or crossover would be quite a package. That’s what you get with the 2017 Honda Ridgeline.

Unveiled at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, the 2017 Ridgeline is Honda’s second-generation midsize truck. Unlike every other truck of comparable size, it’s based off a stiffer unibody platform. It also employs powertrain and technology features from Honda’s passenger cars, making for an experience that’s unlike anything you’re likely to encounter in a truck. If you spend most of your time on pavement but still need a pickup, the Ridgeline is the perfect choice.

Performance

The Ridgeline makes do with a single powertrain option, but it provides all of the capability a truck buyer could want, and a level of refinement not seen in most trucks. A direct-injected i-VTEC V6 engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Most trucks come standard with rear-wheel drive, meaning drivers have their hands full on slippery roads. In contrast, the Ridgeline comes standard with front-wheel drive, offering the secure handling of one of Honda’s passenger cars. Also available is an all-wheel drive system with Honda’s i-VTM4 torque vectoring, which channels torque side to side for better performance. It includes Intelligent Terrain Management with Normal, Sand, Snow, and Mud modes.

The Ridgeline has a different drivetrain than many other trucks, but the differences run deeper. Unlike traditional trucks, the Honda is based on a car-like unibody, providing inherently greater structural rigidity than the alternative body-on-frame setup. Along with a sophisticated independent suspension system, the Ridgeline's unibody design gives it a more refined ride quality, more precise handling, and a quieter cabin than if Honda had built it the old-fashioned way.

There's also the added benefit of improved fuel economy. Fuel economy ratings show the Ridgeline to be more efficient than a number of V6-powered trucks it competes against. Front-wheel drive models earn an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway),* while the all-wheel drive version scores 21 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway).*

Features

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup truck offered solely with a four-door, five-seat crew cab. Several trims are available (RT, RTS, Sport, RTL, RTL-T, RTL-E, and the Black Edition), with pricing starting at $29,475.**

With so many trims available, it’s easy for buyers to find the right Ridgeline for their needs. In typical Honda fashion, the entry-level RT comes well-equipped with standard features to make your life easier and your ride more enjoyable. Highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, a two-inch receiver tow hitch, a dual-action tailgate, a lockable in-bed trunk, an incandescent cargo bed light, LED taillights, and much, much more.  

Available features include a 60/40-split folding second-row bench, leather trim, tri-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, a TFT gauge cluster display, and a Display Audio system with 8.0-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ capability.

Design 

To emphasize its car-like construction and road manners, Honda gave the Ridgeline exterior styling that’s quite different from what you get on other trucks.

The upright cab and clear separation of the bed give the 2017 model a more conventional silhouette than the last Ridgeline, but the overall look is almost more like a crossover than a pickup truck. In fact, the front fascia looks like it was taken straight off Honda’s Pilot crossover. Honda definitely deserves some points for trying something different in a segment with very rigid styling conventions.

Function wasn’t sacrificed to form, though. The Ridgeline is still a pickup through and through, with lots of features meant to make hauling stuff easier. That includes a lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug for easier cleaning, as well as a dual-action tailgate. It’s hinged at both the bottom and along the left side, so it can open either down or to the side.

The bed also has 350-pound tie-down cleats, an available 400-watt power inverter, and even its own sound system. It uses six “exciters” in the bed walls to do the job of conventional speakers, and should make the Ridgeline a hit at tailgate parties. The bed itself is five feet wide and 5 feet, 4 inches long, allowing for a four-foot-wide flat space between the wheel wells. Payload is rated at up to 1,584 pounds when properly equipped.

Safety

The list of safety equipment on the 2017 Honda Ridgeline includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, a multi-angle rearview camera, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, Honda’s Road Departure Mitigation and Collision Mitigation Braking systems, and a full array of airbags.

Bottom Line

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline is a different kind of truck, one that delivers serious truck-like performance but in a much more refined package. 

Be sure to contact us online or visit Hall Honda Virginia Beach to schedule a test drive of the 2017 Honda Ridgeline.

*19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg rating for 2WD models. 18 city/25 highway/21 combined mpg rating for AWD models. Use for comparison purposes only. Based on 2017 EPA mileage ratings. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.

**MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $940.00 destination charge and options. Dealers set own prices.

Image: Honda