Here’s the first official image of the 2017 Honda Ridgeline pick-up truck for the US market, leaked before its official debut at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
The original Ridgeline was Honda’s first attempt at the US truck market, and it was quite a unique looking machine. This second-gen Ridgeline is a little more conventional in appearance.
The truck’s face has elements from the Honda Pilot SUV, with the top chrome bar of the grille extending into the headlamps, which have boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights. The grille design and square jaw means it looks bolder than the 2016 Pilot.
Unlike most trucks, the first Ridgeline had unibody construction, and this follow-up should follow suit. Expected items include all-independant suspension and a 3.5 litre direct-injection V6 engine from the Pilot, paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Word is that front-wheel drive (!) will be available along with AWD, which includes sand, snow and mud terrain modes.
Honda brings different things to the truck table, and fans would be hoping that things like the original Ridgeline’s dual-action tailgate and “In-Bed Trunk” are carried over or reinterpreted. The biggest cabin in its class would make it an ideal mid-size pick-up for the less hardcore. Full details soon.
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Good job Honda.Unibody will improve stability and handling
3.5 litre direct-injection V6 engine? You know it won’t come to Malaysia. The main selling point of the truck at here is a proper diesel engine.
Maybe Proton should rebadge it here as new Arena. Jgn malu malu lah Proton.
Honda does a 2.2 and a 1.6 diesel engine that they manufacture. Maybe they can put one of those in the Ridgeline if they do export it to the ASEAN countries.
I’m really surprised Honda wanted a second try with this.
The problem is, the general pickup buyers want their trucks for work or for towing things. Not something the Unibody Ridgeline is good at…or at least perceived so. FWD would also make it hopeless in towing.
Why would I choose this from the Pilot?
And to be honest, I’ve driven the Pilot and it’s no difference in drivability to other SUVs in its class.
Honda Malaysia will most probably release a red one later on… So keep your order on hold if you want something shiny.