In November, we reported that Motor Trend picked the 2006 Honda Civic as “car of the year.” Today, the magazine announced it had picked another Honda — the Ridgeline — as truck of the year. “The Honda Ridgeline has taken the traditional understanding of a truck and completely redefined every aspect,” said Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of the magazine. “The Ridgeline is filled with innovation and clever solutions to everyday issues. As Honda’s first foray into truck models in the U.S., the Ridgeline showcases a vehicle built on intelligent technology and impressive durability. This remarkable machine encompasses all necessities a truck should have and demonstrates what MotorTrend desires when naming Truck of the Year.” Recently, we reported that the Ridgeline had won the “2006 Urban Wheel Award” for truck of the year.
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12/20, 3:32 PM
posted by:
Nick
Ugh. I don’t get it. It’s like a minivan with an open bed, and unsuitable as a truck. On the other hand, no one uses a truck for truck purposes anymore, so more power to em.
12/20, 5:21 PM
posted by:
Dan
This has to be the ugliest truck on the road if you want to call it a truck, which I cannot in good conscience! Sales wise I have heard this has not been one of Honda’s best models. Guys that want a truck will pass, women that want something a little more beefy maybe, but as Nick says it is not suitable as what has been commonly accepted as a truck! That being said Road and Track never tested a Honda they did not like.
12/20, 5:23 PM
posted by:
Dan
Oops I meant Motor Trend, not Road and Track, got them confused.
12/21, 1:23 AM
posted by:
BCM
It’s a “truck” that appeals to traditional Honda customers who don’t buy traditional trucks. I think Honda will be writing a big check to Motor Trend to use the award in advertising in hopes of broadening sales to other people who don’t buy traditional trucks.
12/23, 8:27 PM
posted by:
Jesse
It never ceases to amaze me how all the people who make obnoxious online comments claiming to claiming to be “the” definitive voice of the buying public put down vehicles and don’t even have the common sense to investigate the product before spilling out their biased ignorance.
I too thought and still do think the plain Ridgline is an ass ugly truck. But, I recognized it for what it was…a truck. And as a truck, which has traditionally been used and valued for FUNCTION over form, it’s a remarkable vehicle with ingenious feature. Can it take on GraveDigger across a mudbog? No? Can it out pull a Duramax Silverado? Of course not. But does it offer the owner and driver who needs ONE all around UTILITY vehicle luxury, reliability, durability and unheard of creature comforts and functions better than ANY 1 ton competitor for less than 35k?? HELL yeah.
Transverely mounted, FWD set up means A) less drivetrain complexity and drag on the engine and B) superior traction WITHOUT the need for frequent AWD engagement.
How do I know? Because my brother bought one and I’m itching to get one in blue next year to match my ‘04 Pontiac GTO. We’ve tried to remain a family of domestic vehicles, but we had to face it money doesn’t grow on trees and loyalty to the Big 3 does not give a warm fuzzy to compensate for the sqeaks, rattles, or piss-poor customer service from dealership. We were so impressed with the vehicle that we that we got my mother a Element as her daily driver.
And for those who think I don’t know what a TRUCK is supposed to do and don’t know what it’s like to “live” with a truck for ALL of life’s functions…save it!! I come from a family of 3 generations of over the road trucking and construction escavating. We have in the household an ‘02 V8 Mercury Mountaineer (replacing ‘99 Eddie Bauer Explorer, 97 V8 Mountaineer, and ‘94 Isuzu Rodeo). Daily we (yes ME included) drive 18 wheeler Freightliner/Volvo with well over 600k miles on the odometer. So I know about function, comfort and reliability in a truck.
Lastly, with a liberal amount of Honda accessories, the Ridgeline shapes up to quite an attractive truck.
So for those contemplating a pick up truck for anything short of the ultimate in towing weight capacity, consider the Ridgeline. Drive one and don’t be swayed by those “phantom” bloggers who have more time on their hands than common sense. You’ll look at the domestic trucks in quite a different light.