2016 Honda Ridgeline 3.5L V6 6AT 4×4 (280 HP)

Vehicle Overview

More than a decade after the introduction of the Ridgeline in its inventory, Honda decided to replace it with a new generation in 2016 for the 2017 model year, and the upgrade was significant.

Larger, bolder, and more powerful, the second generation of the Honda Ridgeline tried to prove that the Japanese automaker was right when it thought about creating a family-oriented pickup. The 2017 Honda Ridgeline was introduced to the public in 2016 and was elected the 2017 North American Car of The Year. That award proved that the automaker was right when it created this unibody-based midsize pickup. It shared its underpinnings with the Honda Pilot. It was created as an excellent companion for camping lovers and for those who didn’t want to haul a large vehicle around town for school runs and groceries. Furthermore, it provided a crossover-like behavior and comfort thanks to its all-wheel independent suspension and solved one of the most significant problems of a pickup, the lack of a usable locking trunk.

Like its predecessor, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline was designed and built in the U.S.A. It had a sportier front fascia with wide, swept-back projector headlights and integrated LED daytime running lights. They flanked the broad grille featuring horizontal slats where the carmaker’s badge took center stage. The body-colored bumper still had a few angled lines on the sides, underlining the headlights. From the RTS grade, the pickup had a set of fog lamps integrated into the apron that flanked the lower air intake.

From its profile, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline didn’t look as rugged as its predecessor, partly due to the windshield, which wasn’t as steep as before. Furthermore, the pickup had a slightly leaned-forward stance, creating a sportier image for the vehicle. All grades came fitted with standard 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels. The flared wheel arches were rounded, and the sculptured door panels had a single creased line that underlined the door handles. At the back, the corner-mounted LED taillights were tall and had lower-mounted reversing lights. Like its predecessor, the second generation of the Ridgeline had a tailgate that could be opened on the side by 80 degrees or folded down like on a regular pickup truck. The rear bumper featured an integrated step in the middle to ease access to the bed. However, the in-bed trunk was smaller than in the previous generation, offering 7.3 cu-ft of space instead of 8.5 cu-ft (206 liters vs. 241 liters).

Inside, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline could fit five adults with comfortable bucket seats at the front and a split (60/40) flip-up bench seat in the back. Fronting the driver was a fresh instrument panel featuring an integrated 4.2-inch color display. Like in its stablemate, the Honda Pilot, from which it inherited the entire dashboard, the second generation of the Ridgeline had a five-inch touchscreen placed atop the center stack. Those who opted for higher grades were rewarded with an eight-inch unit. Both featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Between the front seats, the automaker placed a center console that housed a couple of cup holders, the gear selector, and a cubby under the folding armrest.

Under its skin, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline had an entirely new platform that still featured all-wheel independent suspension. However, the pickup was available with front-wheel drive as standard, while the AWD system was optional. The transversely-mounted V6 engine that powered the vehicle was good for 280 hp (284 PS), 30 more than its predecessor. Furthermore, it was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.