You have to love Honda. Regarding automotive design and engineering, they always seem ready to try new things, and remarkably seem to succeed at whatever automotive market they dip into. The 2008 Honda Ridgeline is no exception to this, with its impressive concepts and its fresh take on the classic pick up truck.
The first thing the Ridgeline does right is forego the "three-piece" body-on-a-frame design all other pickup trucks start with and instead builds off of the existing frame of the Honda Pilot. The result is a lighter and tighter uni-body construction that yields the Ridgeline its amazingly car-like handling. It drives with a smoothness that is both perfect for urban use and for the times you need to get "down and dirty" and use it for its true off-road and cargo transport characteristics. Another benefit to the Ridgeline's body build is the fact that the bed is made of a steel-reinforced fiberglass composite, making it immune to both rust and dents. The cabin is steeped in comfort, allowing 5 to travel easily, and the cargo configurations are almost limitless.
Powering the Ridgeline you'll find a hardy, all-aluminum 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 engine that produces 247 hp and 245 lb.-ft. of torque, all of which responds intuitively and precisely thanks in part to the advanced, electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission and fully automatic 4-wheel drive system. It can tow up to 5,000lbs and is capable of hauling payloads of up to 1,550 pounds.
Safety features run the full gauntlet, with antilock disc brakes, seat-mounted airbags, traction control, stability control and full-length side curtain airbags all being standard. The Ridgeline rocked a full 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for protection of its occupants in front and side crashes.
Whether you plan on doing some urban cruising, or off-road hotdogging, The 2008 Honda Ridgeline is a great choice. Responsive controls, smooth ride and car-like agility all make it a wonderful choice for whatever task you challenge it to complete.
