By Larry Lark, Herald Special Sections Writer
I’ll admit it. I’m not much of a truck guy. It’s easier to borrow my brother’s on the rare occasion of need – or outright desperation.
That said, I could envision something akin to the 2017 Honda Ridgeline AWD Black Edition mid-size pickup truck parked in my driveway.
It features the largest and most flexible cabin in its class (up to five adults with plenty of hip, leg, shoulder and head room. It comes with robust cargo hauling and towing capability. And it drives more like an SUV than pickup.
And best of all, the pickup bed can flat-haul four-foot-wide items such as drywall or plywood panels on the floor between the wheel wells. And it comes with an ultra-high-strength glass reinforced composite bed eliminating the need for a liner.
But here’s the kicker. Hidden below the bed is a massive, in-bed “trunk” which can be used to ice beverages (and food) when tailgating. Better yet, it includes an audio system for cranking tunes and a 400-watt AC inverter. Let the party begin. Go Dawgs!!!
My tester was powered by a 3.5-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, I-VTEC direct-inject V6 engine with a variable cylinder management system. The engine was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The combination generates 280-horsepower, receives a 5,000-pound towing capacity rating, and receives the highest EPA fuel-economy rating in its class at 21 miles per gallon for a combination of city/highway driving.
And with the Black Edition, everything is black. The exterior is crystal black. The interior is black. Even the 18-inch alloy wheels are black. It’s hard to miss – in a good way.
Inside, the Ridgeline looks anything but a truck. It’s loaded with high-end amenities including a moonroof, leather trim, heated steering wheel, AM/FM/XM audio system with eight speakers and subwoofer, satellite-linked navigation system with multi-view rear camera, Bluetooth, USB port, pushbutton start, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, even a power sliding rear-cabin window.
The rear seats are split 60/40, and has a high, under-seat storage area that I used to store my exercise bag and a few golf clubs.
And, if you think Honda might be skimping on safety, since – after all – it’s a truck, you would be badly mistaken.
Ridgeline comes loaded with all-wheel drive, vehicle stability assist, anti-lock brakes, blind-spot monitoring system, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic monitor, and a collision mitigation system that automatically brakes if you don’t.
The Ridgeline features a button-operated intelligent traction management system that offers different operating modes. The AWD version provides choices of normal, snow, mud and sand. For the 2WD option, the modes are normal and snow.
The second-generation Ridgeline was designed, developed and manufactured in America using domestic and globally sourced parts. All Ridgelines are assembled in Lincoln, Alabama.
2017 Honda Ridgeline AWD
Base Price: $42,870
As Tested: $42,770
Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. Prices may vary at local dealerships.
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