The interior of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline features easy-to-read gauges and a big touchscreen for telematics.It's hard to know where "comfort" ranks on the truck-buyer's checklist. Behind "towing capacity" but ahead of "ground clearance," I'm guessing.
Truck buyers, as a group, may value utility over comfort; but over the long haul, almost nothing trumps comfort as a true test of customer satisfaction. That's why the uber-comfortable 2018 Honda Ridgeline strikes us as an under-appreciated asset in the mid-size pickup truck class; albeit one that's gaining traction.
For years, the Ridgeline, with its unconventional side panels and uni-body construction, was sort of the odd duck among pickups. Then, Honda went back to the drawing board and redesigned the Ridgeline for the 2017 model year (after a two-year absence) with a more traditional bed profile.
Now, it has become a one-size-fits-all alternative for those who want to inch into truck ownership, but expect the comfort and handling of an SUV. Call it a starter truck for the masses.
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Our tester is a well-equipped Ridgeline RTL-E AWD model, the penultimate trim line right below the murdered-out Black Edition. The MSRP on our White Diamond Pearl tester is $42,270 and includes nearly every available option aside from some of the custom touches on the Black Edition. A base Ridgeline RT starts at $29,630 and a mid-level RTL retails for $33,930.
Fast Facts
-Model: 2018 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E AWD -Exterior color: White Diamond Pearl -Interior color: Shadow Beige -Engine: 3.5-liter, V-6 -Horsepower: 280 -Transmission: six-speed automatic -Fuel economy: 25 mpg highway, 18 mpg city -Local Dealer: Economy Honda, Honda of Cleveland -Price (as tested): $42,270
Ridgelines are available locally at Economy Honda on Chapman Road, and Honda of Cleveland off I-75, Exit 20.
STYLING AND FEATURES
Unlike full-size trucks such as Ford's F-150 and the Chevy Silverado, which can be intimidating because of their sheer mass, the Honda Ridgeline is a classically proportioned mid-size pickup - closer in dimensions to the Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Colorado. All Ridgelines are five-passenger, crew cabs with 5.3-foot beds. Honda has determined that this configuration is the sweet spot for pick-up sales, and so it becomes the default.
Aesthetically, the Ridgeline has dropped the old, unorthodox side panels for a more neatly-tailored look. The Ridgeline's virtues are in its details. LED daytime running lights and a unique taillight treatment gives it some personality. The quality of the paint, and the superb fit and finish are often-overlooked virtues.
A tailgate that both flips (up and down) and swings (side to side) is ingenious. A built-in trunk (just lift a panel in the bed) is also a gift to Ridgeline owners. The smallish bed, at 5.3-feet in length, has led to the Ridgeline being labeled as a "Home Depot" truck. And indeed, light duty is its forte. The Ridgeline, in all-wheel-drive configuration, can pull 5,000 pounds or haul 1,584 pounds.
Step inside the Ridgeline and the cabin feels like home. Rare is the modern truck that feels immediately "just right." The seats are firmly supportive, the sight lines (especially forward) are superb, the controls are easy to understand, head room and shoulder room are immense. Your first impression becomes, "What's not to love, here?"
There are even little surprises that sweeten the deal. Our tester has a heated steering wheel; a small upgrade that you don't know you want until you have it. Fold-down armrests and a tri-zone climate control are other nice touches.
Other standard features in our RTL-E tester include beige leather seats, eight-speaker sound system, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button start, power moon-roof, truck-bed audio, and an integrated trailer hitch.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
Like its one-size-fits-all cabin configuration, Honda offers only one engine option in its mid-size pick-up, a 3.5-liter, six-cylinder powerplant that makes 280 horsepower. This simplifies the buying experience, and allows Honda engineers to concentrate on perfecting just one engine.
The V-6 vaults the Ridgeline from zero-to-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, according to Car and Driver. All-wheel-drive can be added to most trim lines, and it's a worthwhile $1,900 upgrade.
On our daily commute, we were surprised at the nimbleness of the uni-body Ridgeline, which, unlike most other pickups, has an independent rear suspension. As a result, it drives more like an elevated sedan than a pickup truck. Where a full-size truck can cause driving fatigue, the Ridgeline is a commuter's dream.
It handled well on our Chattanooga mountain roads, with plenty of torque at the ready when the grades get steep. Upgrading to all-wheel-drive boosts towing capacity to about 5,000 pounds.
BOTTOM LINE
The Ridgeline is a refined mid-size truck that hits the sweet spot on cabin size, power and utility. It should appeal to customers who will place a high value on comfort and durability.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.