2006 Honda Ridgeline: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Honda's first pickup truck is a compact, five-passenger 4-dr crew cab with a 5-ft-long cargo bed. Ridgeline has several design features unusual to pickups, including independent rear suspension and unibody construction. Its cargo box is dent-resistant plastic with a steel-reinforced floor that houses a covered well at the rear. The tailgate drops down or swings out. The sole powertrain is a 255-hp V6, 5-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive system that's shared with Honda's Pilot SUV. The AWD system powers the front wheels and engages the rears when the front tires slip. Ridgeline lacks low-range gearing, but a dashboard button locks in a 50/50 front/rear power split. Exclusive to the top-line RTL model are such features as leather upholstery, heated front seats, sunroof, and navigation system. All Ridgelines have front bucket seats and a 60/40 split rear bench with cushions that flip up to increase in-cab storage. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and traction/antiskid control are standard. So are front side airbags and curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows and include rollover deployment. Ridgeline's rear window has a power sliding center section.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.

Our Best Buy is Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks include Dodge Dakota and Honda Ridgeline.

New or significantly redesigned models include Isuzu i-280/i-350 and Mitsubishi Raider.