The Bad Ideas Garage reviews this 2009 Honda Ridgeline "truck" thing. Read our commentary below to learn more:
When Honda introduced the Ridgeline in 2006, there was hate shown towards its introduction due to its unusual design and some technical features. Is it a van? A big car? There is no way it can be a truck! It's on a unibody frame! It doesn't have real 4wd! Et cetera. Despite the backlash, Honda has continued to produce the Ridgeline to the present, besides a generation break in 2015 and 2016. As of 2020, have built 412,000 units.
Since I am not really a "truck guy" - the Ridgeline seems especially interesting to me. In a world of daily driving F150s and crossover SUVs everywhere, it's refreshing to see Honda taking the risk and steeping out of the narrative of what a traditional truck is. Through their efforts in making this fantastic vehicle, they have created a solid niche for these vehicles. The Ridgeline originally came out in an era before electric trucks, before concepts like the Ford Maverick hybrid, where the idea of a pickup is strict setup of a body-on-frame chassis and a V8 power plant. Now, it seems like there are all sorts of companies who are challenging the idea of a traditional pick up, but back in 2006, this was a really radical idea.
The Ridgeline shares parts across Honda and Acura models, including the Acura MDX SUV, the Honda Accord car and Honda Odyssey van. Because of this, and due to the unibody frame, you feel like you could be hopping into a plethora of Honda products the moment you step in. There are some larger plastic grab handles and more aggressive style to some areas, but all in all, the familiar Honda setup is comforting, especially to those who are familiar with the ergonomics and interior setup. The comfort continues into the driving experience with an extremely smooth and quiet ride. Visibility is good and I never felt like I was in a large vehicle. Handling around turns was tight and unfussy, as one would expect in a Honda. I was also quite happy to hear the beautiful sounds coming from the J35 V6, rated at 250hp. While the Ridgeline is not fast whatsoever, the motor sounded excellent and the transmission fairly quick to shift through the gears when pushed.
Overall, the Ridgeline should be a strong consideration for anyone who is shopping for a crossover SUV or a truck as their daily driver. The solid driving experience and interior comfort (including the rear passenger compartment), tied with some unique features, such as the in-trunk bed and 2-way tailgate, create an incredible value proposition. At pricing between $38,140 and $45,570 for the current trim levels, this seems like a bargain compared to a lot of vehicles out there.