2006 Honda Ridgeline

Honda Ridgeline shares its unibody chassis with the Acura MDX and Honda Odyssey. This SUT is powered by a J35A91 3.5 L V6 with a 5-speed automatic transmission and all wheel drive. The Ridgeline is built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada alongside the Honda Pilot and MDX. It is noted espcially for its use of a unibody frame: unusual in pickup trucks, as well as "car-like" features such as a large "trunk" below the truck bed. The bed is integrated with the body, similar to the Chevrolet Avalanche. Four trim levels are available: basic RT, RTX, sport RTS and premium RTL (with optional moonroof or moonroof and DVD Navigation).

Anti-lock brakes, stability assist, side airbags and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment. In concept, the Ridgeline shares much with such vehicles as the car-based Chevrolet El Camino, Ford Ranchero, and the Subaru Baja. The Ridgeline also has a large rear seat with easy folding operations. It is rated with a 5,000 lb towing capacity and a 1,100 lb bed capacity. Its combination unibody and ladder frame chassis gives it 2.5 times more bending rigidity and 20 times more torsional rigidity than any other truck in its segment.

The Honda Ridgeline is Honda's most capable off road vehicle in their truck division. Honda's market research showed that severe off road use is usually reserved for heavily modified short wheelbase, purpose-built vehicle setup best meets the needs of people driving in rain, snow and medium duty off-road terrain. Although exceptions exist, long wheelbase trucks like the Ridgeline, SUVs and pickups generally are not the hard-core off-roader's vehicle of choice because of the inherently compromised breakover angle. Plus, accommodating extreme off-road use can impose compromises such as added weight, poor fuel economy, reduced on-road performance and reduced towing performance.

Honda engineers concluded that a robust medium-duty off-road capability was most consistent with the needs of the customer and the philosophy behind a next generation of truck that offers a smarter balance of capabilities with a higher level of comfort, convenience and real-world versatility. Engineers then utilized and verified at special test courses at their R&D facilities in North America to assure that the Ridgeline delivers all the intended capabilities. The list of test courses included; 28-degree dirt hill, Sand hill, Water pit Rock roads, Embedded log course, Step-up, step-down, Sand drag strip, Gully course, Ground contact course, Washboard road, Frame twister, Power hop hill (23-degree slope with rippled surface), Gravel road, Startable grade ...etc.

The Ridgeline has 8.2 inches of ground clearance, a 25-degree approach angle, a 22-degree departure angle, and a 21-degree breakover angle for negotiating rough terrain. It can ascend a 28-degree (53-percent) dirt slope from a complete stop. It can tow a 5,000-pound boat up the steepest of boat ramps. To further backs up the claim that Honda engineers did extensive research on the durability of Ridgeline, the truck also fielded on SCORE-International off road racing in the stock mini class. In this class, the truck is raced with all the original factory equipments with a slightly modified springs and shocks. Aside from a change in the ECU system and another slight engine modification, the original 5-speed auto transmission, the original engine internals and original 4-WD system is still intact.