2008 Honda Ridgeline: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2008 Honda Ridgeline gets no major changes. This pickup truck is a compact-class five-passenger 4-door crew cab with a 5-foot-long cargo bed and standard all-wheel drive. Ridgeline has several design features unusual to pickups, including independent rear suspension and crossover-style 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 247-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a 5-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 5000 lb. Ridgeline lacks a low-range gear for off-roading, but a dashboard button locks in a 50/50 front/rear power split. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. The rear window has a power sliding center section. Ridgeline comes in four trim levels. Exclusive to the top-line RTL model are leather upholstery, heated front seats, sunroof, and navigation system.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 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 the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier.