The 2012 Honda Ridgeline has been released. We know that trucks are made to deliver stern utility, but nowadays, it is not uncommon to see pickup trucks lounging in parking lots as much as we see them in construction sites.
Car manufacturers found a way to sell trucks to people who want to have a truck for more domesticated purposes. Honda did it by making the Ridgeline.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Truck | Base Price: $29,350.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 22 gallons (83.2 liters) | MPG: 15 city / 21 hwy |
| Length: 206.9 in. (525.5 cm) | Wheel Base: 122 in. (309.8 cm) |
| Height: 70.3 in. (178.5 cm) | Width: 77.8 in. (197.6 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 4513 lbs (2047 kg) | Ground Clearance: 8.2 in. (20.8 cm) |
| Luggage Capacity: NA | Maximum Seating: 5 people |
| Engine: V6 24-Valve SOHC VTEC® 4WD | Displacement: 3471 cc |
| Horsepower: 250 HP | Max RPM: 5700 RPM |
| Torque: 247 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm | Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic |
| Max Towing Capacity: 5000 lbs (2268 kgs) | Maximum Speed: NA |
| Option:Ridgeline Sport | MSRP: $30,095; MPG: 15 city / 21 hwy |
| Option:Ridgeline RTS | MSRP: $32,055; MPG: 15 city / 21 hwy |
| Option:Ridgeline RTL | MSRP: $34,930; MPG: 15 city / 21 hwy |
The Honda Ridgeline is very appealing as far as pick up versatility and comfort is concerned. It is constructed as a single body that has independent suspension in the front and the rear which make the ride as if you are driving a sedan. The handling and the dynamics are above reproach.
The cabin is spacious, with great measurements and thus makes sure that you will never run out of space when it comes to storage. Furthermore, it shines with its dent resistant, 5 foot bed and a handy lockable trunk. The Ridgeline can deliver at times when you need to get rugged.
Engine
The new Honda Ridgeline has a V6 3.5 liter engine paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. It delivers 250 horsepower and 247 lbs/ft of torque. There are no other power-train options for the Ridgeline, though. The Ridgeline has a fuel consumption rating of 21 hwy/15 city which puts it in the middle spot in the arena of fuel efficiency. It actually has a good rating for a V6 4-wheel-drive pickup.
Performance
Without a doubt, the Ridgeline has enough power for daily use. It can even perform well during busy weekends when you need to haul and move a number of things with the truck. It is understandable that the Ridgeline’s V6 is less powerful than the V8s from other brands.
What we don’t understand is that some V8 equipped trucks are as fuel efficient as the Ridgeline. Perhaps this is something that Honda is working out. If towing is important to you, it is recommended to consider trucks with V8 engines. As for the rest, the Ridgeline does fairly well.
Exterior
The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup that has a crew cab body, four doors, and seating for five. It is available in four trim levels which are the RTL, RTS, Sport and RT. The entry level RT sports 17″ wheels and other standard features such as under the seat storage, audio speakers, power accessories, trip computer and a sliding rear window.
The Sport has black 18″ alloy wheels, black tail light and headlight housings, leather-wrapped audio-control-studded steering wheel, fog lights and rear privacy glass. The RTS features all that the RT has with the additional rear privacy glass, two-zone climate control and 8 way power driver seat. The RTL features leathered upholstery, heated front seats, sunroof, fog lights, ambient lighting for console and a satellite radio. The RTL also has 18″ alloy wheels.
Interior
The Ridgeline provides enough room for the head and the legs and offers comfortable seating. There is enough headroom for averagely sized adults, although taller drivers may need to have more rearward seat travel.
It is standard for the Ridgeline to have 12 volt power outlets, the CD/FM/AM players, that can read WMA and MP3 formatted discs. There have been a lot of complaints about Honda’s use of plastic. But it is worthy to note that this approach is not uncommon in pickup trucks.
Safety
The federal government tested the Ridgeline in their rollover test and it scored 4 out of 5 stars. On the other hand, it is a top pick for the Insurance Institute for highway Safety after scoring “good” in all their crash tests.
Reliability
The Honda Ridgeline comes with a three-year limited bumper to bumper warranty, a five-year limited power-train warranty, and a five-year warranty for corrosion protection.
Pros
The Ridgeline provides good handling, superior comfort, and ruggedness enough for your other needs.
Cons
The Ridgeline is not as powerful as you need it to be when you need to tow. Its fuel economy is not the best in its class and it is only available in one body style.
The 2012 Honda Ridgeline is a good choice if you want to have the versatility of a pickup and the comfort of a sedan.
Competition
There are only two other trucks that the Ridgeline can be compared to, these are the Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4×4 (MSRP $27,585; 16 city / 21 hwy) and the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4×4 (MSRP $32,190; 14 city / 19 hwy). All three can be considered as a combination of truck and car.
Overall Rating
73 out of 100
What others say:
“Best-in-class handling and a smooth V-6 are winning features of the Honda Ridgeline, but its towing and hauling fall far short of the benchmarks.”Car Connection
“Drives more like a car or minivan than a typical pickup. Still, Ridgeline’s height and heft mean a fair amount of body lean and noseplow in fast turns. Steering feel is too light at low speeds, but a relatively tight turning circle aids parking-lot maneuverability. Braking is strong and sure.”Consumer Guide
“Honda’s pickup truck has agile handling, a supple and steady ride, and an all-weather, lockable trunk beneath the bed. ”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports
“The 2012 Honda Ridgeline doesn’t have the muscle that serious truck buyers demand, but its combination of a carlike ride and pickup utility makes it all the pickup many buyers will ever need.”Edmunds
“If you need the open-bed utility of a pickup truck, but you don’t want the rough ride, poor handling and fuel-thirsty engine that usually accompany such trucks, the 2012 Honda Ridgeline truck deserves a good hard look.”KBB
