2009 Honda Ridgeline

Summary

The mid-size Honda Ridgeline vies for the title of most innovative pickup. Honda's best attributes are here in a pickup truck: refinement, fit-and-finish and innovation the Honda way. The Ridgeline features an easy-to-reach, locking storage box under its bed that no other pickup can match.

Full Review 2009 Ridgeline

The differences between Ridgeline and more conventional pickups go all the way to the core. Ridgeline is the first mainstream pickup with fully independent rear suspension, which improves ride quality considerably. Other pickup trucks have traditionally been built with a separate nose section, cab section, and cargo bed, bolted to a separate ladder frame. Honda's pickup uses both a one-piece unibody and a steel ladder frame, welded together. Its cab and bed are built as one piece, with separate subframes for the engine, front suspension and rear suspension. Honda claims Ridgeline is 20 times more resistant to twisting than any other pickup truck, and 3.5 times more resistant to bending.

We've found the Ridgeline to be one of the nicest pickups to drive when measured by comfort and ease of use. Ridgeline cannot do the work of a full-size pickup, but its 1550-pound payload and 5000-pound towing capacity are enough for many buyers.

Ridgeline has changed little since its 2006 introduction. For 2007, Honda added the value-priced RTX model, which provided popular equipment such as alloy wheels and a trailer package, for a relatively small price increase over the base RT. The Honda Ridgeline doesn't look or act like any other pickup truck we've driven, and it shouldn't cost an arm and a leg to own or operate.

Trims and Styling 2009 Ridgeline

The 2009 Ridgeline is sold in four different trim levels, with each model adding more standard equipment. All Ridgelines are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 247 horsepower, with a five-speed automatic transmission and Honda's VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system. This full-time all-wheel-drive normally proportions 60 percent of the power to the front wheels, but if conditions indicate it will automatically send as much as 70 percent of the engine torque to the rear wheels. Ridgeline also incorporates a limited-slip differential with lock feature.

The Ridgeline RT ($28,000) is the base model. It comes standard with black door handles; steel wheels; manually adjusted front seats, air conditioning; power windows and locks; cruise control; and a 100-watt, six-speaker, XM-ready stereo with CD.

The RTX ($28,500) adds gray-finish alloy wheels, body-color door handles, a unique Sport grille, and a towing package.

The RTS ($30,425) adds power front seats with manual lumbar support; a160-watt, seven-speaker stereo with six-CD changer and steering-wheel mounted controls; dual-zone automatic climate control; outside temperature gauge; a security system; and new machine-finish alloy wheels. The RTL ($33,090) adds still more standard features, including leather upholstery, heated front seats, power lumbar support for the driver, power moonroof, compass and HomeLink remote integrated into the rear-view mirror, heated side mirrors, and all the hardware for XM Satellite Radio.

The RTL can be equipped with Ridgeline's only factory installed option: Honda's DVD-based navigation system with voice recognition ($2,000). It also offers a dealer-installed DVD entertainment system. But there are dozens of dealer-installed accessories available for all Ridgeline models, including roof rails, the tow package, and even the RTX model's neater-looking grille.

It includes multi-stage front airbags and side-impact airbags for front passengers, front and rear side curtain airbags for head protection and LATCH child-seat anchors for the three rear seats. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, vehicle stability assist and a tire-pressure monitoring system are also standard.

Exterior Appearance and Design

The Honda Ridgeline's uniqueness starts with its appearance. Styling is not our favorite Ridgeline attribute.

Ridgeline's front end reminds most people of the Honda Element SUV, only more massive. Ridgeline's profile shows a lot of metal sculpting from end to end that conventional pickup trucks with separate beds don't have.

Ridgeline's cargo bed is made of steel-reinforced SMC plastic, not steel with a sprayed-on or slipped-in liner. A tubular aluminum cargo bed extender is available for longer loads. There are four large retaining chocks, one in each corner of the bed, to help secure large pieces of cargo.

The two-way tailgate is unusual, but it works great. The storage trunk, even more than the tailgate, distinguishes Ridgeline for other pickups.

Interior Styling and Features

Inside, the 2009 Honda Ridgeline offers as much comfort, space and convenience as any half-ton pickup available. Bucket seats come standard in front with a center console. We found the driver and front passenger seats to be roomy, comfortable and supportive, with plenty of adjustment range for rake and travel.

All models feature an illuminated vanity mirror for the driver. The rear doors are shorter than the front doors, standard practice in this segment, but there's no problem getting in or out.

The rear seat is nearly as roomy and versatile as those in front. The rear seat splits and folds, 60/40, to stash fairly large pieces of cargo in the cab. The Ridgeline's unusual exterior design reduces outward visibility.

First Drive 2009

For a hefty truck, the Honda Ridgeline delivers a truly pleasant driving experience. Ridgeline feels lighter on its feet than the Ford Explorer Sport Trac and Chevy Colorado.

The drivetrain, the combination of engine, transmission and all-wheel drive, is impressively smooth and quiet. With four doors, five seats, AWD and independent front and rear suspension, the Ridgeline is a relatively heavy vehicle, but the 247-hp V6 engine is generally up to the task. Overall, Ridgeline impresses with its tightness and smoothness. It's more maneuverable, more enjoyable to drive, than any full-size pickup.

Conclusions 2009 Ridgleine

If you're contemplating a multi-use or commuter pickup, the 2009 Honda Ridgeline should top the shopping list, assuming you can embrace its unusual styling. From its look to its tailgate and storage innovations to its combination of body-on-frame isolation and unibody stiffness, the Ridgeline borders on revolutionary."Wow. Despite my indifference at the time of its launch, I'm actually impressed with the Ridgeline. In no way do I think it will draw people away from full-size trucks on refinement alone (perhaps the new coil-sprung Ram will do that), but I do think it'll attract crossover owners who hanker for a cargo bed." says  Automobile MagazineIt's reasonably priced, and should be reasonably economic to operate. Ridgeline is pleasant to drive in all circumstances, and as much truck as many buyers will ever need.