A four-door, five-passenger compact pickup truck, the 2009 Honda Ridgeline has been designed to give exactly what one needs to get the job done. With Honda quality built right in, this truck will be with you for the long haul.

 

The Ridgeline was introduced in 2006 and is unlike a typical pickup truck in a number of ways. It is more like a crossover SUV than a truck with its basic structure shared with the Honda Odyssey. Its composite truck bed is made of the area that would house the cargo hold or third-row seat of a typical SUV. One may also find the Ridgeline is similar to Chevrolet Avalanche but it lacks the Avalanche's novel midgate. It is lighter by a thousand pounds, which makes for great ride and handling benefits. In short, the Honda's only pickup exactly what most suburbanites want from a truck with a calm ride and practical interior space.

 

Power and performance

 

The 2009 Honda Ridgeline pickup is available with just one engine and transmission choice: a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 250 horsepower, routed through a five-speed automatic transmission. The 5-speed automatic transmission has been built with heavy-duty truck use in mind. Clutches, shafts, gear ratios and bearings have all been upgraded for towing and hauling. All Ridgeline trucks are all wheel driven sprinting to 60 mph from zero in 9 seconds flat, never feels slow in normal driving.

 

Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard and they bring the truck to a stop from 60 mph in a disappointing 141 feet, considerably longer than that of other trucks. One may feel the lack of grip which affects the handling. However, for everyday driving, the Ridgeline is surprisingly quick and lively for a truck. The V6 engine is also very smooth.

 

When properly equipped, the Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The standard Variable Torque Management (VTM-4) all-wheel-drive setup functions transparently on wet or snowy roads. The EPA estimates the 2009 Honda Ridgeline's mpg as 15 city/20 highway/17 combined.

 

Comfort and convenience

 

The Ridgeline's interior feels very comfortable and convenient. Both front and rear seats are supportive and firm. Headroom is sufficient and the driving position mostly perfect, offering a commanding view of the road. The legroom in the rear-seating area is also quite sufficient, and installing a forward- or rear-facing child seat is not at all a problem, and rear air-conditioning vents are standard.

 

The road noise from the tires is noticeable, but there is no wind or engine noise inside the cabin. However, the growl can be heard when the V6 is really pressed. The Ridgeline is amazingly delivers smooth ride and handling and comes across as refined truck. Its carlike unibody construction and independent suspension eliminates the shaking and bouncing that plagues many a pickups.

 

Functions

 

There are plenty of storage bins and cubbies inside. Many of the storage areas are lined with a durable and easy-to-clean rubber material, making the Ridgeline a family-friendly vehicle. Though there are a number of trim-based levels of equipment, every Ridgeline is a four-door, all-wheel-drive, V6-powered pickup suited for cities. The lack of color accents makes its interior a little dull. The Ridgeline lacks the separate bed and cab typical of a traditional pickup but that is not a drawback considering its power and performance.

 

The audio system is easy to use. The navigation system is basic and does not include a lot of bells and whistles like live traffic information. The Ridgeline's 5-foot-long bed is certainly a good one but there are no different bed and cab configurations. A tailgate that folds down like a typical truck gate or swings to the side like an old-school station wagon door makes the access to the bed or trunk easy. This flexibility makes the 2009 Honda Ridgeline a blend of both family-friendly minivan and down-and-dirty pickup. However, the Ridgeline does not stand out visually. Both exterior and interior looks do not appeal much. Though the interior features some interesting features such as the oval climate control display and the oversized door pulls, they are almost hidden in a sea of monochrome gray. Even the functional gauges bear a boring look.

 

A typical Honda inside and out, the Ridgeline is best suited for suburbanites who use the family pickup for daily commuting or those who need light-truck cargo and towing abilities.