Vehicle Spotlight: 2018 Honda Ridgeline

An Advanced Species

To many, the Honda Ridgeline represents an identity crisis. Is it a truck? Is it a car? Is it actually just a Honda Pilot wearing a truck bed? In the US, car culture in general often becomes truck culture by default. America’s love affair with the pickup is deep-rooted, long-lasting, and stubbornly traditional. There’s nothing cute or fleeting about the US obsession with the midsize truck market and its subsequent parts and accessories.

This could perhaps be why the Japanese Honda Ridgeline is boxed out of the pickup boys club. It doesn’t meet the expectations of the old traditions. Yet, our neighbors to the north (I’m sure they love that name) are in love with the modern Ridgeline. Last Spring, Canadian sales of the Ridgeline were the best recorded since 2007. And such figures must be indicative that we’re missing something, right?

A Little of This, A Little of That

Let’s look at some of the numbers. The performance of the Ridgeline doesn’t necessarily reinvent anything, but it does have a V6 with 288 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. In addition to that, the Ridgeline packs in an impressive 5,000 lbs. of max towing capacity. Now that might be enough to sway some truck skeptics, but it’ll take a lot more to dismantle the reputation Ford and its contemporaries have built.

It’s true that, by traditional truck standards, the Ridgeline feels more like an SUV. The only drivetrain options are front- or all-wheel drive, it’s built with a unibody construction, and it runs a fully independent suspension. And for those who appreciate the Ridgeline’s originality, but really want 4WD capability or stock condition off-road prowess, this truck may be too car-like. But for the light-duty truck owner, that smoother ride, adequate payload, and tech-savvy traction control for the average off-road experience may be just right. And with 19mpg/city and 26mpg/highway, Ridgeline owners certainly won’t be limited by rising fuel costs.

A Whole Lotta Room

Another area in which the Ridgeline excels is storage space. Inside, it’s got 50 cu. ft. of storage, with more below the floor to maximize the cabin. And yes, it’s got a truck bed, but it’s far from traditional (even though it accommodates an Extang Solid Fold 2.0). It features a 7.3 cu. ft. lockable In-Bed Trunk that can be used to keep luggage warm and dry. Alternately, popping the plug in the bottom gives drivers an in-bed cooler, perfect for the next big game.

Even better, the tailgate doesn’t merely drop. It also swings laterally, giving Ridgeline owners easier access to cargo. And with the industry’s first Truck Bed Audio System, Honda lovers can listen to their favorite tunes straight from the bed walls—perfect for the next football tailgate or outdoor home improvement project.

Mixed Feelings about the Ridgeline

If you feel an overwhelming, flip-flopping sensation about this vehicle, know you are not alone. It has been a confounding venture by Honda, which is what makes it such a polarizing one. But every time the Ridgeline confuses potential buyers by eschewing tradition, it’s just as quick to impress them with innovation.

Ultimately, it’s a competent midsize with stabler driveability and a more refined attitude towards comfort. With endless safety features (it is a Honda after all) and a host of on-board tech, Jalopnik hits the nail on the head with it’s description of “aggressively practical”.

So, is it a car or truck? The fact is that it doesn’t matter, and it shouldn’t, as long as what makes a “truck” continues to broaden.