2017 Honda Ridgeline

2017 Honda Ridgeline: First Look

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After a two-year hiatus, the Honda Ridgeline is back with a new look, more technology and a better midsize pickup truck package. The 2017 model is making its debut at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Sharing several design strategies with the all-new 2016 Honda Pilot, the new Ridgeline has a more conventional pickup truck look, but offers many of the same class-exclusive minivan/SUV/pickup features that the previous model contained.

The 2017 Ridgeline will continue to offer its unique, In-Bed Trunk at the rear of the bed that houses the spare tire, tools and gobs of storage space. Likewise, the Ridgeline will continue to offer its segment-exclusive dual-action open/close tailgate to access the bed, providing drop-down and swing-out options. The biggest news for younger Ridgeline costumers is that it will offer an integrated eight-speaker sound system in the bed tied directly to the in-cab, high-output radio — this is an industry first.

Like the previous Ridgeline, the unibody platform will allow owners to enjoy the most interior cargo space of any midsize pickup and provide the widest bed for outdoor cargo — the new bed is 4 inches longer. The inside of the new Ridgeline also has the lowest floor of any pickup, providing plenty of legroom and a large, versatile center console and armrest.

Additionally, Honda has upgraded the Ridgeline's features, materials and interior finishes to appeal to a wider, more demanding audience. Among some of the improvements are tri-zone climate controls, push-button start and a full-color 8-inch touch-screen display screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The rear seats have a 60/40 split and lift up to allow for more floor storage like the previous model.

The new pickup will be powered by an all-aluminum 3.5-liter i-VTEC direct-injection SOHC V-6 engine similar to that found in the Honda Pilot. In the Pilot, respective horsepower and torque numbers are 280 at 6,000 rpm and 262 pounds-feet 4,700 rpm. The 2017 Ridgeline will also have a new six-speed transmission and the same torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, called i-VTM4. The all-wheel-drive system will allow for multiterrain management using Normal, Sand, Snow and Mud modes. Honda describes its system as "all-weather" technology to provide better handling, traction and performance. Of note, for the first time Ridgelines will be available in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations.

Although pricing and specifications have not been released yet, we're guessing Honda will follow the same trim level strategy we saw in the 2016 Pilot — LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Elite — with the new Elite option costing a good chunk of cash.

The 2017 Ridgeline will also offer a host of safety and driver-assist technologies that are likely to make this one of the safest pickup choices around. Available safety options include lane departure warning, collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation and blind spot warning., All Ridgelines will come standard with a multiview, multi-angle rearview camera.

The Honda Ridgeline, due to its sport-utility-truck style and construction, remains a street-biased, light-use, midsize pickup with a reasonable amount of hauling and towing ability (especially when compared to other more traditional body-on-frame choices), but we're guessing it will fit the needs of many buyers. Given the sales and attention resurgence of the midsize pickup segment, lower fuel prices and the volume of family-friendly features packed into this new pickup, we wouldn't be surprised if Honda sells more than twice as many Ridgelines than it did in any of the last three model years (2012-2014) it was on sale.

PickupTrucks.com

If its unibody, I wonder why the bed is separated from the cab in that pic....

pup wrote:

If its unibody, I wonder why the bed is separated from the cab in that pic....

That may just be Mark talking out of his ass. I'll look into that.

EDIT: Definitely unibody!

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PRESS RELEASE

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.

Honda

I have to say, looks alone, this is a huge step forward from the first gen Ridgeline. This truck will not compete with anything from North America, full-size or mid-size. That said, it still looks to be quite capable, even though it is front wheel biased. It's like comparing the new front wheel drive Euro-styled vans to the traditional big three offerings.

MORE HERE... CARSCOOPS

The same 3 Ridgeline buyers from before will buy this one too.

A refined gimmick, but still the same gimmick as before. An El Camino without soul, purpose or power.

I wonder if Honda did what Jeep did with the Comanche and make a partial frame to attach the cab to the bed .

Its just a cosmetic separation on the outer skin I'm betting.

I actually think it looks worse(wussier) than the first gen.

It looks a little better. 1600 lb payload would be better than some half tons.

It reminds me of the old Subaru Brats for some reason....

The front clip looks pretty similar to the Subaru Forester.

how do you get the spare out when the bed is loaded?

You take the soccer ball and tampons out, and call Triple A

Breathing Borla wrote:

how do you get the spare out when the bed is loaded?

How do you get your spare out when you get a flat and your stuck in mud up to the axles? Probably happen about as often.

ggbaird wrote:

Breathing Borla wrote:

how do you get the spare out when the bed is loaded?

How do you get your spare out when you get a flat and your stuck in mud up to the axles? Probably happen about as often.

yes, however the truck has to get unstuck anyways and a flat has nothing to do with that if it's up to the axles.  Pull the truck out, change the tire.

That said, I don't go through mud up to the axles, I do however use the bed all the time so one has a much much higher probability than the other for me anyways, especially around job sites.

it doesn't matter for me anyways, it's missing a few cylinders to even been in the conversation and still looks ugly, altough better than before

and this won't get it done for me

262 pounds-feet 4,700 rpm

My last flat tire was twenty to twenty five years ago. Hondas spare location wouldn't be an issue for me. Anyone using their truck for work won't be shopping for a Honda anyway, and Honda knows that.

.....

There is a YouTube channel I watch "South Main Auto Repair" he is a kick ass mechanic I wish there was a guy like him near me   , the guy owns a repair shop in New York and he was taking off a load of scrap in one of his episodes and he was using his Honda Ridgeline he had it loaded with brake rotors and other scratchy scrap and it looked like it handled it pretty good .

Wonder if the payload is a joke like the first gen?
Remember the TOTY shoot out which had a Ridgeline and a Cummins Megacab? Honda at its rated maximum was a scary ride while the Ram didn't even flinch. Ram was a safer drive overloaded than the Honda at its recommended payload.

Probably a good bet that Honda isn't following J2807 tow/haul standards.

2017 Honda Ridgeline Commences Production In Alabama

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Honda has kicked off the assembly of the new pick-truck at its manufacturing facility in Alabama.

The 2017 Ridgeline joins the Pilot sport utility vehicle, Odyssey minivan and Acura MDX luxury SUV at Honda Manufacturing Alabama (HMA), which celebrates its 15th year of operation. The plant employs 4,500 associates, spreads on 3.7 million square feet and has the capacity to build 340,000 vehicles annually.

"Today we celebrate the dedication of our Alabama team in bringing a very innovative new pickup truck to market. I congratulate all of our associates for their commitment to our customers as the Ridgeline returns with new features that will deliver even more of what today's truck customers want and need", said HMSA president, Jeff Tomko.

Having made its debut earlier this year at Detroit, Honda's new pickup truck is longer and wider than its predecessor, it has a fully flat-floor and is powered exclusively from a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Japanese automakers claims that the new Ridgeline offers the best handling, ride quality, all-weather traction capability and cabin quietness in the segment, along with class-leading space, innovative features such as In-Bed Trunk, Dual Action tailgate, Truck Bed Audio system and 8-inch Display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

CarScoops

Whats with the all white outfits?

theshyguy wrote:

Whats with the all white outfits?

Possible they came out of the paint shop.
Modern painting areas require lint free outfits.

Honda utilizes 'Lean Manufacturing'. One of the key areas of Lean is housekeeping. Having toured the Honda Manufacturing facility in Alliston, Ontario, I can tell you straight up, you can damn near eat off the floors there. And yes, the workers on the assembly line are all dressed in white.

Well that explains it, thanks!

It is much easier to keep an assembly plant clean verses a manufacturing operation. Especially if the plant is <30 years old. Also I'm willing to bet Honda has that plant climate controlled for the summer heat. Would get pretty hot and sticky wearing that zoot suit over your cloths in the summer. I know several of GMs assembly plants in the great lakes region have not climate control and are hotter inside during the summer than say Arlington or Shreveport are/were.