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January 13, 2016

NAIAS 2016: 2017 Honda Ridgeline is Conventional Yet Unconventional


Honda is once again challenging the conventional thinking in the pickup truck market with the launch of the all-new 2017 Ridgeline at the North American International Auto Show. Containing exclusive features, Honda hopes it will set the benchmark for versatility, capability, and comfort in the midsized pickup category.

The all-new Ridgeline is based on Honda’s Global Light Truck platform with its rigid yet lightweight uni-body construction, next-generation ACE body structure and sophisticated, fully independent suspension. As a result, it delivers a higher level of ride and handling refinement that cannot be matched by conventional body-on-frame designs.


It is powered by a new 3.5-liter direct-injected i-VTEC V6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Honda believes it will not only provide top-class powertrain refinement, but will achieve best-in-class acceleration performance and segment-leading EPA fuel economy ratings.

The Ridgeline also will be available for the first time in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations. All-wheel-drive models will utilize Honda’s i-VTM4 torque vectoring AWD technology, featuring Intelligent Terrain Management with Normal, Sand, Snow, and Mud modes, providing robust medium-duty off-road and towing capability with superior on-road, all-weather handling, traction and performance.


Inside, the Ridgeline boasts the largest, most versatile and sophisticated cabin in a midsize 4-door pickup, featuring high-grade materials and finishes, available leather trim and all the latest technologies that Honda has to offer, including tri-zone climate control, push button start, a full-color TFT center meter and available 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility.

The Ridgeline’s 60/40-split and folding second-row seat provides the ultimate versatility for people and/or cargo. With the seats folded down, the Ridgeline will comfortably carry up to five people while still accommodating long items, like a set of golf clubs, under the rear seat. Folding up one or both sides of the 60/40-split seat bottom opens up the back to carry tall and bulky items.


The Ridgeline bed offers pickup users unmatched versatility in a midsize 4-door pickup. At 5 feet wide and 5 feet and 4 inches long, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline has the only 4-foot wide flat bed space (with 48 inches between the rear wheel arches) in the midsize pickup class, allowing for flat hauling of items like plywood sheeting or drywall. The Ridgeline will also offer payload capacity rivaling top competitors, approaching 1,600 pounds, with final specifications to be released closer to launch.

The composite, UV-stabilized and scratch-resistant bed also boasts a number of available Honda-exclusive features that add to its incredible versatility, including an In-Bed Trunk, dual-action tailgate, available 400-watt AC power inverter and the industry’s first in-bed audio system.


A first for any pickup, the new in-bed audio system, together with the In-Bed Trunk and available 400-watt power inverter, makes Ridgeline the ultimate tailgating vehicle. The new in-bed audio system utilizes six exciters located inside the bed walls, in place of conventional speakers, pumping out sound from the Ridgeline’s audio head unit, with up to 540 watts of power.

The new Ridgeline will target the highest available collision safety ratings and comes with technology such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS).  It will also have Honda LaneWatch or Blind Spot Information system.

13 comments:

  1. Gasoline??? Kaya pala ayaw dalhn dito sa pinas.

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  2. bagay lang gasoline pickups in North America

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  3. ^Big disparity between the price of gasoline and diesel in PH make the former's reputation ugly... law of supply and demand should have corrected this but not in PH... anyway its a nice pick up, the bedliner looked almost clean without the protruding wheel-well, this surely has an effect on the volume/capacity... nice one Honda!

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  4. ^This is one good looking pick-up... the bed is almost flat without the protruding wheel-wells... the engine seem capable, although pick-ups normally are diesel powered, the gasoline engine seems better in terms of maintenance... Nice one Honda!

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  5. What I like is the fairly large in-bed trunk. That alone reshape the limitation of pick-ups as a lifestyle vehicle. Current designs renders half of the vehicle useless unless one forks out more money to add a canopy or tonneau to make a trunk. Now, why didn't anybody thought of that earlier? Attention! competitors.

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  6. ^Putting a canopy on a pick up is a no-no, they should have bought an SUV instead... pick ups are designed to have an open rear for large items to be carried... and most canopies do not match the design of the pick up because they are generic to all pick ups, otherwise they wont sell much... kudos Honda, a well done pick up! I think Americans designed this and not the Japanese...

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  7. How is the AWD system, is it a 'real time AWD' system similar to that of the CRV?

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  8. -> This crossover truck deserves to be in the Philippines! In fact, I'd import one if given the chance!

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  9. Bring it in the philippines with a diesel engine pwede yan.. or dipende sa owner na bibili kung gustu ng diesel or gas engine nalan.

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  10. Sana dalhin nila ito sa Philippines

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  11. Making use of the extra space under the bed is a big plus. But placing as well the spare tire under the bed that is only accessible from above is a bad move. Just imagine your predicament when you need a tire change while hauling a heavy cargo that required the use of a mechanical tool (forklift, chain block or extra hands) in loading it and you're in a situation where none of those are available. I need not explain. Goodbye happy trucking?

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  12. May new dream car! Excellent work Honda! Please bring it in the Philippines!

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