2017 Honda Ridgeline Review

The Honda Ridgeline RTL-T is generously equipped and moderately priced, and unlike pricier models, it's available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It has the heated, power-adjustable leather seats many will want, and its 8-inch touchscreen audio and navigation system plays well with smartph...

The six-speed automatic transmission is simultaneously smooth and decisive and has well-spaced gear ratios. And it works well with the smooth and predictable gas pedal, which delivers response that is neither too touchy nor too lethargic.

The V6 engine is smooth, and that gives the Ridgeline an effortless feel around town. And it feels punchy when you floor it to make a pass or merge onto the highway. It took our test truck 7.0 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph at the track, which is tops in the midsize pickup category.

Brakes are easy to regulate, and the brake pedal maintains a reassuring firmness in routine daily use. There's plenty of stopping power; our test truck traveled 125 feet in our 60 mph panic-stop test, which is about what we'd expect from a pickup.

Accurate steering gives a clear sense of straight-ahead, with effort that ramps up smoothly to provide a reassuring sense of where the truck is headed as you guide it into corners. Steering response feels alert without being too sharp, which makes for easy, carlike driving.

A four-wheel independent suspension and unibody construction give the Ridgeline a settled demeanor that is far more polished than that of any traditional body-on-frame pickup. It feels utterly stable and composed, there isn't much body lean, and it is rock-steady when tackling bumpy corners.

The six-speed automatic transmission is simultaneously smooth and decisive and has well-spaced gear ratios. And it works well with the smooth and predictable gas pedal, which delivers response that is neither too touchy nor too lethargic.

The Ridgeline's capabilities are like a crossover SUV's, but with an advanced traction management system that can handle snow, sand and dirt. It's fine for most people, but it lacks the underbody clearance, wheel articulation and low-range gearing that other 4WD pickups have for rockier territory.

The Ridgeline's ride comfort is second to none as far as pickups go, with a much more settled feel that comes from its crossover SUV underpinnings. These roots help with noise suppression, too. The seats and the climate control layout are comfortable and family-friendly.

The front seats have a nice shape and thin-yet-supportive padding that provides long-distance comfort. They're broad enough to accommodate larger folks, and effective bolsters prevent those with narrower frames from sliding around. The comfy rear seats are set at a pleasing angle.

The Ridgeline is much smoother and composed on a variety of surfaces than the competition because it's the only pickup in its segment with a four-wheel independent suspension. It shrugs off bumps easily, the ride is not harsh, and there's very little head toss or jostling. Carlike, indeed.

There are admirably low levels of wind noise and engine noise. Triple-sealed doors prevent road noise from entering via that route, but some does resonate up through the floor because it uses a unibody, not a separate body and frame. Overall, the Ridgeline is generally quieter than competitors.

All versions except the base-model RT come with tri-zone automatic climate control. Airflow is easy to direct through good-sized front vents, and there are backseat air-conditioning vents, too. The controls make good sense and are easy to use. RTL-level trims and above get heated leather seats.

The Ridgeline is very friendly to the driver and passengers alike. It's easy to climb in and out of, the cab is roomier than that of any other midsize competitor, and it's easy to see out. The attractive interior is well built from quality materials, and the controls are well thought out.

A new console shifter replaces the old model's column shifter, which allows for much simpler stalks for wipers and turn signals. You'll also find useful steering-wheel buttons, clear gauges and an informative 4.2-inch data screen. Most other controls are easy to find and use.

Step-up height is much lower than in the Toyota Tacoma and even the Colorado, which makes the Ridgeline very manageable for shorter folks and those with limited range of motion. Large front doors open wide, but the rear-seat foot entry clearance is a little tight.

All Ridgelines come with a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel that covers a wide range, and the driver's seat is highly adjustable, especially for height. It's easy for just about anyone to find the sweet spot behind the wheel.

The Ridgeline easily offers the driver and passengers more space than any other midsize crew-cab truck. The differences are most noticeable in terms of the cabin's interior width at the hip and shoulder and and in head- and legroom in the rear seats.

Large windows give a good view out the front and sides, and the blind spot isn't overly large. Mirrors are decent-sized and give good coverage, but we're glad the backup camera is standard.

This is a very nicely trimmed truck interior. The material choices and overall design have a family-friendly sophistication that trucks usually don't even bother to attempt, especially in the midsize arena. It's a cut above the rest.

The 2017 Ridgeline is a solid cargo hauler, inside and out. The crew cab's short bed is longer than competitors, has a higher payload rating, is the only one that holds 4-foot-wide sheets, and has a lockable in-bed trunk and a two-way tailgate. Not a towing leader, but 5,000 pounds isn't shabby.

Multilevel front door pockets are large and offer plenty of options. The rear ones are simpler but are still useful. The center console is deep, has a nice rolltop cover and a sliding phone tray inside. The glove compartment is a good size, and there are plenty of cupholders.

No midsize truck comes close. The Ridgeline's rear seat bottoms flip up to reveal a broad, flat load floor, but the underseat area can still accommodate a medium golf bag with the seats in use. The crowning jewel is the lockable in-bed trunk, which can hold multiple suitcases or a large ice chest.

LATCH anchors and top tether fittings are provided in all three rear seat positions. Access is fairly straightforward.

Choose the all-wheel-drive Ridgeline if you plan to tow because it comes fully prepped to tow 5,000 pounds. You'll have to add an aftermarket electric brake controller if your trailer needs one, but the Ridgeline provides plug-and-play pre-wire support. Front-drive Ridgelines tow only 3,500 pounds.

Surprisingly, the Ridgeline has the highest payload in its class. Moreover, its dent-resistant textured bed is longer than competing crew-cab short beds, and it alone can fit 4-by-8 sheets on the deck between the wheelwells. The unique in-bed trunk and two-way tailgate are unmatched.

The Ridgeline plays well with smartphones, with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto available on higher trims. However, we're not fans of the 8-inch touchscreen audio system because of the poor user-interface experience. A full selection of active driving safety features are available on top-grade models.

Its attractive 8-inch touchscreen is paired with an irritating interface. The wonky touch-sensitive volume slider and small touch zones for basic functions are hard to use, especially when moving. The base audio system without nav has knobs and is refreshingly easy.

Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, a USB jack that supports iPod and an auxiliary jack are standard across the board. RTL-T trims and above support Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, add a second USB input up front and come with two charge-only USB sockets for the backseat.

The Ridgeline offers driver aids not offered by the competition, but only on the high-end RTL-E and Black Edition. These include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with lane keeping assistance, cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The voice interface can control phone, navigation and audio functions. Commands need to follow certain guidelines, but some plain-language commands do work. Press and hold the voice button to bypass these and get to Siri's much more sophisticated voice commands via your paired iPhone.