2005 Honda Ridgeline 3.5L V6 5AT AWD (256 HP)

Vehicle Overview

After more than three decades since the brand’s introduction in the U.S. market, Honda decided to step into the pickup segment with the innovative Ridgeline lineup in 2005 for the 2006 model year.

The Japanese automaker tried to do things differently when it designed the first generation of the Ridgeline. Not only wasn’t it a body-on-frame structure, but a unibody type, but it also came with a fully independent suspension, crew-cab only, and provided a car-like driving experience. Furthermore, unlike other brands that offered a wide variety of powertrains, the 2006 Honda Ridgeline had only one option. At least, it came standard with an all-wheel drive system and a lock-up 4×4 system that split the torque equally between the front and rear axles.

Even though Honda was not a newbie in the pickup truck segment, its American design team did its homework. As a result, the 2006 Ridgeline came with a flat front fascia that looked intimidating. Furthermore, the rectangular-shaped grille where the brand’s badge took center stage was adorned by rectangular-shaped trims. A pair of headlights with corner-mounted turn signal lamps flanked it. At the same time, the body-colored bumper below them featured a broad and slim secondary air intake.

From its profile up to the C-post, the 2006 Honda Ridgeline resembled the brand’s largest SUV, the Pilot. However, the doors looked different with their flush door handles, while the rear ones had an up-kick for the lower side of the window line. The C-post looked like it was tilted forward, and the bed’s upper edge continued it on the lower side, with a sloped-down shape. At the back, Honda revolutionized the pickup segment with its dual-mode opening system for the tailgate, which could open sideways or downward. In addition, the bed had an integrated, lockable trunk space that provided 8.5 cu-ft (241 liters) of storage space.

Inside, the carmaker’s team created a true SUV-like cabin. Even if some materials looked more likely to belong in a utility vehicle, the overall design concept was closer to a car than to a truck. Fronting the driver was a three-dial instrument cluster with a binocular design where the speedometer took center stage. It was flanked on its left by the rev counter, while on the right were the gauges for the fuel level and the coolant temperature. Moving onto the center stack, customers found a powerful sound system with an available CD player and touchscreen navigation system. The front seats were deep and bolstered, promising customers excellent side support. A large cubby storage was placed between the driver and their side passenger under the center armrest. At the back, the flip-up split bench seat (40/60) provided enough room for the rear-seated passengers.

Under the hood, Honda installed its famous 3.5-liter V6 engine, which was also available in other brands’ products. The automaker mated it with a standard five-speed automatic transmission that sent the power in all corners via an electronically-controlled AWD system. The ABS and the VSA (Vehicle Stability System) were standard across the three available grades: the RT, the RTS, and the RTL.