2017 Honda Ridgeline - What's It Like To Drive?

Gorehamj · May 12, 2016

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
5/12/2016

GM-Trucks was unable to attend the media launch of the new Honda Ridgeline. To get a first-hand account of the new truck, we reached out our colleague, Parks McCants. Parks is a Honda brand expert we know from some fellow publications.

GM-Trucks: Before we get into this Parks, we know you are a Honda expert, but how much pickup experience have you had?

PM: In my four decades of driving I've owned every major domestic and import brand pickup truck available in North America. I'm a huge Chevy, Dodge, and Toyota fan.

GM-Trucks: What is the Ridgeline like in person when you see it?

PM: The greatest change I note for Ridgeline is a more conventional truck-like styling, beginning with the noticeable conventional truck bed side profile and split side panel.

GM-Trucks: How does this Honda feel on the road? Compared to a Chevy Colorado for example?

PM: The new Ridgeline presents the "flattest", most refined and bump-free ride in the midsize truck segment. Honda engineering has gone to great lengths to reduce or eliminate engine, road and wind noise to the cab through active noise cancellation, much-improved body seam sealing, triple door seals, acoustic windshield, side windows and more. I found Ridgeline's 10-way power adjusted and heated river's seat to be exceptionally comfortable. Also noted is an all new front and rear independent, hydraulic mount isolated, and "reactive amplitude dampened" suspension for Ridgeline. In an off-the-line acceleration test, ZERO torque steer or traction loss was noted in Ridgeline.

GM-Trucks: What about off pavement?

PM: The Ridgeline truly shines is in the dirt. When driven back to back to a Chevy Colorado or Toyota Tacoma (they were on site,) the '17 Ridgeline smoked the competition in overall ride comfort and off-road stability, hands down. If I were to change anything here it would be the rather "loose" electronically assisted steering. Honda engineering tells us that the steering wheel response feel is adjusted to road speed, and is initially set for ease of city maneuverability and parking.

GM-Trucks: Overall, what would you tell people about this new 2017 Honda Ridgeline pickup? What is special about it?

PM: I've never driven a better road balanced midsize multitasking light truck offering than 2017 Honda Ridgeline. While I do appreciate the two-way locking tailgate, and unique cargo bed trunk, you could take all of that away, and the ride, road handling, and cab comfort would sell me on the new Ridgeline. The rest is simply icing on the cake. Unibody or not, this truck will change people's perception of what a midsize truck can and should be.

GM-Trucks would like to thank Parks McCants for taking time to speak with us. You can read more about the Ridgeline by Parks McCants here.

Daryl Z71 · May 12, 2016

It's not a bad looking vehicle, but in my opinion it still doesn't look like a truck. It reminds me more of a van or something. It's hard to explain it.

truckofwinandawesome · May 13, 2016

well, Honda FINALLY made the Ridgeline look like a PROPER Pickup; now they need to give it PROPER Four Wheel Drive instead of settling for the Pilot's AWD; perhaps they can get some pointers from their Powersports Division on how to set up a good, and reliable 4WD system.

99silveradoz71 · May 13, 2016

I wish other brands would embrace that trunk in the bed concept. My buddy uses his as a cooler on trips.

kstruckcountry · May 13, 2016

I'd rather have a real spare tire than the under deck "trunk". If you have anything in the bed you can't access it anyway. Something like the ram box is more accessible and makes use of the space in the fenders.

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