Honda Ridgeline Performance

Honda Introduces Blacked-Out Sport Trim, New Grilles for 2012 Ridgeline

The key word for the Ridgeline Sport is black, as the color is applied to the head-, fog-, and taillight bezels; the mirrors; door handles; unique honeycomb grille; and 18-inch wheels. It's a cool look, but we wonder whether the Sport label is truly justified by what's essentially just a collection of blacked-out body parts. From what we can tell, the Sport will sport much of the same equipment as a typical Ridgeline RT model.

The 2012 Ridgeline is said to boast improved fuel economy; the 250-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine will probably remain unchanged while the five-speed automatic transmission could be swapped for a six-speed unit, like that used on the Acura MDX, which rides upon a similar platform. The truck is currently EPA-rated at 15/20 mpg (city/highway). The new Ridgeline (and the Sport variant) goes on sale this November.

2011 Honda Ridgeline Review, Specs, Pictures, Price & MPG

Remains unchanged from last year’s model. It carries on as a unique pickup, defying the usual body-on-frame rule for car-type unibody production. The 2011 Honda Ridgeline is conveniently strong, cleverly adaptable, amazingly comfortable and distastefully ugly.

2011 Ridgeline goes on with its sole crew-cab build and 5-foot long freight. It has also preserved its style, which make it look like a SUV mix strapped on a small cargo box. In fact, Ridgeline’s unibody construction makes a very stiff boxed framework This Honda is as hard as that of almost every body-on-frame competitor.

Performance

Its single engine-transmission combination is still the 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and five-speed auto, similar to the Pilot. Acceleration is dynamic and smooth. Likewise, Ridgeline is basically a front-wheel drive vehicle. Ridgeline in fact comes with a standard four-wheel drive system that generally runs on front-wheel drive but can divert power to the rear wheels while accelerating and in low-traction conditions.

Ridgeline provides additional traction using the instrument-panel button. This locks in power to the rear wheels at up to 18 mph. It can also engage automatically on any surface without requiring driver intervention. The Ridgeline’s 5,000-towing capacity is similar to that of any crew-cab V-6 compact pickup. Towing equipment includes an integrated tow hitch, heavy-duty brakes, transmission and oil coolers and dual radiator fans. Ridgeline also comes with four-wheel disc brakes with antilock capability and an antiskid system to lessen sideway slides.

Ridgeline’s free suspension provides the most accommodating and sharpest handling ride of almost every small truck. According to an old wisdom, another frame and a hard axle at the back are important for good cargo limit. Honda takes credit by providing load capacity of about 1,500 pounds to the Ridgeline.

Exterior

The extraordinarily high-walled box blends flawlessly with the metal of the cab. Nevertheless, the high walls provide strength as well as enhanced aerodynamics. The bed is only 5-feet long, among the smallest of all pickups. But that maintains Ridgeline’s total span shorter than that of almost every compact crew-cabs, making it easier to park in the garage. Ridgeline’s secured compartment conceals a useful 8.5 cubic feet of storage space. The Ridgeline also features a double-action tailgate that opens and hinges to the side.

Creating and Managing a Technology Economy

New cars & trucks buyer's guide

Edmunds.com 2006 New Cars & Trucks Buyer's Guide

The Toyota Way to Continuous Improvement: Linking Strategy and Operational Excellence to Achieve Superior Performance

Automotive engineering international