2017 Honda Ridgeline Debuts at NAIAS

[Gecko]

All-New 2017 Honda Ridgeline Pickup Truck Makes World Debut at 2016 North American International Auto Show

•2017 Ridgeline brings Honda innovation in technology, design and packaging to the midsize pickup truck market
•All-new Ridgeline delivers superior driving dynamics in combination with the largest interior space and most versatile bed in a midsize 4-door pickup
•Honda-exclusive features including In-Bed Trunk®, dual-action tailgate and the industry's first in-bed audio system make Ridgeline the ultimate tailgating vehicle

DETROIT, January 11, 2015 – Honda today unveiled the all-new 2017 Ridgeline truck at the North American International Auto Show, once again challenging conventional thinking in the pickup truck market with Honda-exclusive features, design and technology that help Ridgeline set new benchmarks for versatility, capability and comfort in a midsize pickup.

"We are bringing our unique technology and original thinking to the market in a new and challenging concept for a Honda pickup," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We think we've got a better idea, a truck that uses its unibody construction and Honda packaging magic to deliver more of the things that many of today's truck customers want and need with none of the things they don't."

Designed, developed and manufactured in America, the new Ridgeline will launch in the first half of 2016 with a combination of features and capabilities unlike anything else on the market today, including:

•Superior on-road performance – with the segment's best handling, ride quality, cabin quietness and all-weather traction capabilities – courtesy of its unibody construction, sophisticated chassis, and available i-VTM4™ torque-vectoring AWD system
•Class-leading space – with the largest and most versatile cabin and the only 4-foot-wide flat bed space in the midsize pickup segment, along with payload capacity rivaling top competitors
•Innovative and class-exclusive features, including an In-Bed Trunk™, dual-action tailgate and the industry's first in-bed audio system – making Ridgeline the ultimate tailgating vehicle
•Targeted top-in-class acceleration, EPA fuel economy ratings and third-party collision safety ratings, and featuring Honda's next-generation ACE™ body structure and available Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver-assist technologies
•Leading edge connectivity with 8-inch Display Audio featuring Apple Car Play® and Android Auto™ compatibility

Advanced Chassis, Powertrain and All-Wheel-Drive

The new Ridgeline is based on Honda's Global Light Truck platform with its rigid yet lightweight unibody construction, next-generation ACE™ body structure and sophisticated, fully independent suspension, delivering a higher level of ride and handling refinement than conventional body-on-frame designs. The Ridgeline will be powered by a 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC™ V-6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, providing top-in-class powertrain refinement and targeting best-in-class acceleration performance and segment-leading EPA fuel economy ratings.

The Ridgeline also will be available for the first time in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations. All-wheel-drive models will utilize Honda's i-VTM4™ torque vectoring AWD technology, featuring Intelligent Terrain Management with Normal, Sand, Snow and Mud modes, providing robust medium-duty off-road and towing capability with superior on-road, all-weather handling, traction and performance.

Sophisticated, Versatile and Spacious Cabin

Inside, the Ridgeline boasts the largest, most versatile and sophisticated cabin in a midsize 4-door pickup, featuring high-grade materials and finishes, available leather trim and all the latest technologies that Honda has to offer, including tri-zone climate control, push button start, a full-color TFT center meter and available 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility.

The Ridgeline's 60/40-split and folding second-row seat provides the ultimate versatility for people- and cargo-hauling utility. With the seats folded down, the Ridgeline will comfortably carry up to five people while still accommodating long items, like a set of golf clubs, under the rear seat. Folding up one or both sides of the 60/40-split seat bottom opens up the back to carry tall and bulky items.

A Bed Like No Other

The Ridgeline bed offers pickup users unmatched versatility in a midsize 4-door pickup. At 5' wide and 5'4" long (5.4 inches wider and 4 inches longer than the previous generation Ridgeline), the 2017 Honda Ridgeline has the only 4-foot wide flat bed space (with 48 inches between the rear wheel arches) in the midsize pickup class, allowing for flat hauling of items like plywood sheeting or drywall. The Ridgeline will also offer payload capacity rivaling top competitors, approaching 1,600 pounds, with final specifications to be released closer to launch.

The composite, UV-stabilized and scratch-resistant bed also boasts a number of available Honda-exclusive features that add to its incredible versatility, including an In-Bed Trunk™, dual-action tailgate, available 400-watt AC power inverter and the industry's first in-bed audio system.

The Ridgeline's standard, lockable In-Bed Trunk provides secure storage space with no compromise to bed utility, and now features a fully flat floor and a drain plug for easier cleaning and evacuation of water from the trunk. The dual action tailgate is hinged both at the bottom and along its left side, opening down or to the side, which enables easier loading and unloading of heavy and bulky items without having to reach over the open tailgate. The bed also features eight 350-pound tie down cleats and an available 400-watt power inverter, located behind an access panel in the right bed wall, with the capacity to recharge power tools or energize a tailgate blender or flat screen TV.

A first for any pickup, the new in-bed audio system, together with the In-Bed Trunk and available 400-watt power inverter, makes Ridgeline the ultimate tailgating vehicle. The new in-bed audio system utilizes six exciters located inside the bed walls, in place of conventional speakers, pumping out sound from the Ridgeline's audio head unit, with up to 540 watts of power.

Top-Level Safety Performance

Featuring Honda's next-generation ACE™ body structure, advanced airbag systems and available Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver-assist technologies, the new Ridgeline will target the highest available collision safety ratings – an NCAP 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the IIHS. Honda Sensing™ technologies available on the 2017 Ridgeline include Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). All Ridgeline models will feature a multi-angle rearview camera as standard equipment and upper trims will be available with either Honda LaneWatch™ or Blind Spot Information system.

Ridgeline Development and Manufacturing

Like the first generation Honda Ridgeline, the all-new 2017 Ridgeline was designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas and will be produced by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama.

About the Honda Light Truck Lineup

Honda set an all-time record for U.S. sales of light truck models in 2015, up nearly 12% from 2014 to 661,188 SUVs, CUVs, pickups and minivans, and besting the previous record of 602,123 Honda-brand light trucks sold in 2006. Honda's sales success was driven by an unprecedented cadence of new light truck offerings starting in the fall of 2014 with the freshened 2015 Honda CR-V, which was named Motor Trend 2016 Sport Utility of the Year and was America's best selling SUV again in 2015. In 2015, Honda launched the all-new HR-V crossover and the third generation Pilot SUV. In December, the Pilot was names as a finalist for the 2016 North American Truck/Utility of the Year award.

In 2016, Honda will continue the fortification of its light-truck family of vehicles with the new Ridgeline and a fully redesigned Odyssey minivan. Honda was named the "2016 Best SUV Brand" by U.S. News and World Report, and the Pilot, CR-V, HR-V and Odyssey each has earned a "Best Buy" award from Kelly Blue Book for 2016. The 2016 Pilot and CR-V have received a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for model year 2016, while the 2016 Odyssey minivan has earned a TOP SAFETY PICK rating.

About Honda

Honda offers a complete lineup of Honda cars, trucks and service with a network of more than 1,000 Honda dealerships within the United States. Eight Honda auto plants in North America, including four in the U.S., have the capacity to produce 1.92 million automobiles each year. In 2014, more than 97 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2017-honda-ridgeline/#slide-3765429

My personal opinion: When I first heard that Honda was bringing the Ridgeline back, I was sort of surprised that they thought it was worth a second iteration. On second thought, maybe Honda has the anti-truck truck market nailed down, and sees an opportunity here?

I really don't care for it, personally.

 

[Tragic Bronson]

My personal opinion: When I first heard that Honda was bringing the Ridgeline back, I was sort of surprised that they thought it was worth a second iteration. On second thought, maybe Honda has the anti-truck truck market nailed down, and sees an opportunity here?

I really don't care for it, personally.

It will probably sell well to the Honda faithful, much like the first Ridgeline; with gas prices where they are now, they've got to sell them now while the iron is hot.

 

[mmcartalk]

No question it looks much more like a real truck now...the original one had a rather awkward look to it. Also looks like they more or less kept the same mechanicals under the skin, though....with the exception of the FWD option. And it's nice that they kept the lockable Bed-in-trunk....that is a nice feature.

Although it obviously doesn't have a huge or cult-like F-150 or Silverado following, many of those who actually bought the 1Gen Ridgeline love them. A neighbor of mine has one, and wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[mikeavelli]

For the Honda faithful and that didn't work out to well the first time. They made it look like a truck but that is not a real cargo bed line, it's a fake.

FWD, V-6 and the same 3.5 with an AWD option. Notice how Honda refuses to truly invest in their truck like they do with Acura.

Oddly enough why does it seem to me their truck is the least aggressive and most handsome vehicle they offer. Maybe it's just me.

 

[mmcartalk]

Notice how Honda refuses to truly invest in their truck like they do with Acura.

As far as 'investing" goes, that special unibody-design that they use, combined with the (partial) ladder-frame underneath, is (probably) not cheap to build. It is meant to combine, to an extent, the advantages of both types, but, of course, is still not a heavy-duty work truck in the literal sense of the word.

In general, I think there are two basic reasons why Honda has not developed a true full-sized work truck. First, they don't have an adequate V8 for it for heavy-duty work (Toyota, for example, never got anywhere with the 90s-vintage T-100/150, limiting that truck to a large in-line four and V6). Second, even if they did have (or develop) an adequate V8, it is extremely hard for new products to break into the American full-sized truck market (the Nissan Titan, 2Gen V8 Toyota Tundra, Cadillac Escalade EXT, and two failed Lincoln F-150-based attempts proved that). The F-150/Silverado and (to a lesser extent) Ram market is arguably the most solidly-entrenched and owner-loyal part of the industry.

 

[mikeavelli]

^^ right. They haven't invested. The unibody is shared with the pilot, odyssey, mdx.

 

[mmcartalk]

I don't totally agree with this guy from jalopnik (he oversimplifies some things), but he nevertheless makes some good points....that what many pickup buyers want is often more than they need. They buy large heavy-duty trucks and then never really use their capability.


http://jalopnik.com/if-the-honda-ridgeline-fails-its-because-pickup-truck-b-1752719068

If The Honda Ridgeline Fails It's Because Pickup Truck Buyers Are Nuts

 

[IS-SV]

^ Agreed, Honda is smarter than that guy and knows the Ridgeline is not intended to be a high volume vehicle.

 

[mmcartalk]

^^ right. They haven't invested. The unibody is shared with the pilot, odyssey, mdx.

I doubt, though, if that all-new bodywork came cheaply. Although the powertrain may still be basically the same under the skin, there's little question that the skin itself is all-new. And, yes, it does look a lot more like a conventional truck now.

 

[mikeavelli]

I don't totally agree with this guy from jalopnik (he oversimplifies some things), but he nevertheless makes some good points....that what many pickup buyers want is often more than they need. They buy large heavy-duty trucks and then never really use their capability.


http://jalopnik.com/if-the-honda-ridgeline-fails-its-because-pickup-truck-b-1752719068

If The Honda Ridgeline Fails It's Because Pickup Truck Buyers Are Nuts

What kind of attention seeking title is that lol. So the author is telling people what they should only have? Sounds like he works for Honda. With his line of reasoning we should all drive 1995 Taurus's because "that is all the car we need". We also only need 150hp.

Lame

 

[mmcartalk]

What kind of attention seeking title is that lol. So the author is telling people what they should only have? Sounds like he works for Honda. With his line of reasoning we should all drive 1995 Taurus's because "that is all the car we need". We also only need 150hp.

Lame

Well, that's why I said I didn't totally agree with him...I made that clear in my post. I think he's just looking at it from a different framework than what you or I typically would. Many of those who come to me for car-buying or shopping advice, though, for obvious reasons, don't want to spend more, or buy more vehicle, than they have to.

Oh, and BTW......as to the mid/late 90s'-vintage Taurus, since you used it as a comparison reference, with the styling it had, I wouldn't have touched one myself. With all of those constant ovals inside and out. It was, IMO, one of the silliest-looking modern sedans ever done, not particularly well-built, and sales tumbled in comparison to the hot-selling earlier models. With it, Ford gave up its annual 3-way battle with the Accord and Camry in the early 90s for top-selling U.S.-market passenger car.

 

[mmcartalk]

The Ridgeline, overall, seems to be more or less a cult-truck. You either love it or you don't. It never has had high sales in the U.S. And, indeed, except for the Tacoma, it been difficult for almost any non-American badged truck to seriously compete in the rigidly-entrenched domestic American truck market. The Ridgeline, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Frontier, Mazda B-series (which were rebadged Ford Rangers and are discontinued), and almost-non-existent Suzuki Equator (which was a rebadged Frontier) have all had a difficult time trying to compete, though the 2Gen Tundra has had some success.

Due to its low sales, I personally haven't known many people who have owned Ridgelines...just one. A neighbor of mine, who is a musician and plays in a band, has owned an older one for a number of years (it's been quite reliable), and uses it to cart much of the band's equipment around the D.C. area for local gigs and concerts. It is perfect for the job, as it wasn't really designed for large heavy loads to start with, and the outside bed makes some items easier to load or unload, though they have to be covered in bad weather.