| A friend recently made the comment: "You | | | | garage door opener.The standard features |
| never really look at a pickup truck and say, | | | | inventory is long and varied, and includes: |
| 'Wow! That's a good-looking vehicle.' "I'd | | | | AM/FM/6-CD changer, MP3 player, satellite |
| never thought about it his terms, but his | | | | radio, automatic air-conditioning, alloy |
| words rang true. His comments also made me | | | | wheels, map and cargo box lights and steering |
| laugh because we were discussing the Honda | | | | wheel radio controls, among numerous other |
| Ridgeline, the new compact pickup truck.When | | | | equipment gadgets and technology.Driving the |
| I first noticed the truck, I immediately | | | | Ridgeline, however, is even more impressive. |
| thought, "Well, that's the first Honda I | | | | In short, it drives like a car. And while |
| don't like."Introduced last year at car shows | | | | Consumer Guide describes the ride as |
| and first made available nationwide earlier | | | | "exemplary for a pickup," the qualification |
| this year as a 2006 model, the Ridgeline | | | | isn't necessary.With its upright, firm seats, |
| could be categorized as the anti-pickup | | | | fine steering and handling, expansive leg and |
| truck. But I didn't know that until my weekly | | | | head room, smooth and sturdy steering and |
| test drive.The Ridgeline just doesn't look | | | | handling and quiet ride, the Ridgeline simply |
| like a Honda, and it looks more futuristic | | | | shines.A few unique offerings, including |
| than functional. But just like the Element, | | | | deep, plentiful and perfectly located storage |
| which didn't fit the sports utility mold when | | | | compartments and trays, and a cavernous, |
| it was introduced, Honda's new pickup up | | | | sliding console between the front seats |
| distinguishes itself quickly and on many | | | | further add to the Ridgeline's fine use of |
| levels.My weekly test vehicle was RTL | | | | space.The front backs seat rubber floormats |
| version, the top-of the-line of five options. | | | | are secured with easy-to-use toggles. When |
| Like the lower-priced RT and RTS models, the | | | | not needed, the mats remove easily, revealing |
| RTL features a 3.5-liter, 255-horsepower V6 | | | | stylish carpet.Honda uses the marketing |
| with a 5-speed automatic transmission and | | | | motto: "We put everything we know into the |
| all-wheel-drive. It's the only powertrain | | | | Ridgeline. What will you put into it?"That |
| available.The four-door Ridgeline also | | | | seems like the perfect question. It also |
| features a five-foot-long cargo bed. It | | | | quickly defuses any disparaging initial |
| includes independent rear suspension and a | | | | comments made about the vehicle -- whether |
| unibody construction. The cargo box is made | | | | from the public or from an unknowing car |
| from dent-free plastic with a steel-enforced | | | | review who's now been enlightened.The Weekly |
| floor and locking trunk bin.Standard | | | | Driver: 2006 Honda RidgelineSafety features |
| throughout the line are 17-inch wheels, | | | | -- Dual front airbags (standard); front and |
| bucket seats, a 60/40 split rear bench seat, | | | | side curtain airbags.Fuel Mileage (estimates) |
| anti-lock, four-wheel disc brakes and a rear | | | | -- 16 mpg (city), 21 mpg (highway).Warranty |
| window with a power-sliding center section. | | | | -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; |
| The RTL edition also includes a navigation | | | | Powertrain, 6 years/60,000 miles, Corrosion, |
| system, leather upholstery, heated front | | | | 5 years/unlimited miles.Base price range -- |
| seats, heated power mirrors and universal | | | | $27,700-$34,640. |