Honda Ridgeline

The chrome door handles and leather interior gives the Ridgeline a classy look on the inside.  You get heated power seats with lumbar support at the front. The infotainment system has got a technologically advanced look and is very easy to operate. It has got Bluetooth connectivity with voice command, truck bed audio, navigation controls, and whatnot! The leather-wrapped steering wheel comes equipped with heated wheel controls, radio controls, call answer/decline buttons, Honda sensing controls, and menu controls for the digital display. You can monitor tyre pressure, average fuel economy, and traction control etc. just at the push of a button. You get an ECON button on the left of the steering wheel that can be pushed to get better mileage. There is also a sunroof which may not be panoramic but is big surely enough. Remote start and keyless entry are some of the other exciting features that the Ridgeline has on offer.

The front fascia looks bold thanks to the sharp DRLs at its corners and a trapezoidal front grille. The big Honda emblem on the grille gives the truck a unique appeal and makes it look more ravishing. The hood looks daunting with two peaks on each side and a raise at the centre completes the picture. At the rear end, you get parking sensors and a tow package. The tailgate is one of the most distinctive features of this pickup. Not only can you pull it down like a normal tailgate, but the same can also be done side-ways. This gives the Ridgeline an extra edge over its competitors like Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado. On the inside of the tailgate, you get nice metal hooks for tying your stuff along with lights on two sides, a power outlet, and an audio system. Underneath the composite bed, there’s a good amount of storage space as well.

The handling of the truck feels pretty smooth and the big screen proves to be very useful while navigating in the streets. The V6 engine doesn’t make a lot of noise even when it is taken off the ECON mode. You can barely feel the gear shift once you step on the gas pedal to accelerate. The unibody suspension is very solid and it feels like you are driving an SUV rather than a pickup truck.

The Honda Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine that can generate a maximum power of 280 hp. The 6-speed automatic transmission coupled with an AWD system is enough to drive this beast through rough terrains smoothly.

The Ridgeline is equipped with safety features such as forward collision detection, lane departure alert, electronic brake distribution and vehicle stability assist with traction control. You also get an option of selecting the traction mode according to the type of road surface you are driving on, for example, sand, mud, snow etc.

The Ridgeline comes with some unique features that have never been associated with a pickup truck before. The model is expected to launch in the Philippine market around August 2019 with an estimated price tag of Php 2.2 million. The small yet ingenious updates to the interior of this pickup truck and a never seen before tailgate design puts the Ridgeline in a different league altogether. If you want a truck with great usability and comfort for regular usage, then Ridgeline is the pickup you should go for.