2006 Honda Ridgeline Program #2431

Honda may be a Japanese brand, but over the last 36 years, they’ve become a big part of the American automotive scene. So it was inevitable that they would finally jump into that most domestic of automotive segments, the pickup truck. And their debut effort is the 2006 Ridgeline. Like most of their current products, the Ridgeline was developed and is made right here in the good old US of A. So let’s see if it’s got the guts to take on America’s toughest trucks.

Well, it certainly has the glory. And determined to make an unforgettable first impression, the 2006 Honda Ridgeline is sure to shake things up in the smaller pickup truck arena. That starts with the frame. The mid-size Ridgeline uses a new generation Honda truck platform that combines the stiffness of a car-like unibody with the fully boxed rails of a separate frame. And Honda does a good job of advertising its work ethic by punching up its tough flare. The Crew Cab styling is modern, but athletic and very blunt.

Below the aggressive grille is a fully integrated bumper with very short front overhang. Substantial 17-inch wheels are standard. But on the profile, you can’t help but see a resemblance to the Chevrolet Avalanche.

Similar to Avalanche, the bed is squat at only 5-feet long. While it lacks interior access like Avalanche, the Ridgeline’s 20.7-inch deep steel reinforced composite bed is wide and almost flat, with minimal wheel-well intrusions. It’s perfect for a pallet or a pair of dirt bikes. They load easily through two-way tailgate that drops down or swings away, to allow access to another part of the Ridgeline’s car-like soul, the first trunk on a pickup. The lockable 8.5 cubic foot space is large enough for a few weekend bags or as a great tailgate cooler with drain. And it’s also where you will find the temporary spare tire.

Under cover at the other end is Honda’s familiar 3.5-liter, single-overhead-cam V6. The VTEC engine pours out 255-horsepower and 252 pound feet of torque. While no V-8, it is comparable to the 6’s in other mid-size pickups. Indeed, even with limited low end torque, power builds smartly after launch. Our Ridgeline bullied its way to 60 in a fine 9.3 seconds, and raked in the quarter mile in 17.2 seconds at 81 miles per hour. Ridgeline’s cargo rating of 1,558 pounds is slightly more than a V-6 Toyota Tacoma. But it could use more power to pull as its 5,000 pound trailer tow limit is the lowest of its rivals.

The Ridgeline comes with a 5-speed automatic and the Pilot’s automatic Variable Torque Management four-wheel drive system. Components that when combined with its unique frame and suspension aid well the Ridgeline’s all-weather and light off-road capabilities. When extra low traction comes-a-calling, go ahead and hit the 4x4 lock button and get moving!

Ridgeline also departs traditional pickup trucks with a fully independent suspension. It is tuned to react like a pickup, however, including rear-end bounce over sharp bumps. Back on the track, our drivers reported a fair amount of torque steer, noting that hard throttle in corners caused the steering wheel to tug. The Ridgeline handles well for a pickup, but still produced a lot of body roll and sloppy transitions.

Stopping the Ridgeline is its four wheel disc braking system with standard ABS and Brake Assist. So stops from 60 to 0 at a long 147 feet were also somewhat disappointing.

Inside, the new Ridgeline’s roomy 5-passenger interior is very contemporary, if a little busy. That includes the oversized front door handles. But they do make a good grab as you slide into the wide, firm front bucket seats. The layout is very trendy for a Honda. The big pod speedometer really stands out. Materials are durable and attractive, with standard power locks and windows, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, six-speaker CD audio, and loads of storage. A moon roof and Nav system are available.

The rear quarters are also impressive. Emphasizing convenience, the 60/40 flip-up rear seats, with child-seat anchors, allow under seat storage, can hold three passengers, or can be flipped to fit a mountain bike inside. A power sliding rear window is also standard.

With only a Crew Cab body, Honda does give a choice of three trim levels. The base RT costs $28,215. Choose the RTS for $30,590, or a top of the line RTL at $32,005. Clearly Ridgeline is not a bargain basement pickup truck.

So, for the first time out of the pickup truck gate… not bad. The Ridgeline delivers the comfort of a Honda automobile with the pickup capacity and convenience that more than fills the needs of the average Joe. Plus, the trunk and trick tailgate show the kind of innovation Honda is noted for. While not for everyone, the 2006 Ridgeline lands Honda smack-dab in the middle of the American pickup truck market, and it will never be the same again.