Cars Around The Burly | 2013 Honda Ridgeline

Fast Preview :

• All-wheel drive (AWD) pickup truck
• Crew cab body style
• Standard rearview camera
• 5,000-pound towing capacity
• Fold-down/swing-out tailgate
• 8.5-cubic-foot in-bed storage compartment
• 250-horsepower V-6 engine
• Optional navigation system

Introduction
First released as a 2006 model and mildly updated for the 2012 model year, the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck arrives unchanged for 2013. Four trim levels--RT, Sport, RTS, and RTL--are offered, all featuring seating for 5 and standard all-wheel drive.

Exterior Features
The 2013 Honda Ridgeline RT base model is fitted with 17-inch steel wheels, 4 full-size doors, 5-foot cargo bed with an 8.5-cubic-foot secure storage well under the floor, a tailgate that can be lowered in typical pickup function or swung open from the side, Class III trailer hitch, and black trim. Also included are power-adjustable outside mirrors and a power-sliding rear window.

A move up to the Ridgeline Sport adds black 18-inch alloy wheels and headlight bezels, black mesh grille, fog lights, and rear privacy glass.

Next in line is the 2013 Ridgeline RTS, which Honda has differentiated with 17-inch alloy wheels as well as body-color exterior accents. That trim level is followed by the RTL, accented by silver 18-inch alloy wheels, power tilt/slide moonroof, and heated mirrors.

Interior Features
Among the 2013 Honda Ridgeline's standard amenities are keyless entry, power windows and door locks, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, front bucket seats, and a 3-passenger, 60/40 split-folding rear seat with storage below. A 100-watt, 6-speaker sound system is also included.

The Ridgeline Sport starts with the RT's content and adds an audio input jack and leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the RTS boasts a 10-way power driver's seat, exterior temperature gauge, dual-zone climate control, and a 160-watt sound system paired with a subwoofer.

The top-of-the-line 2013 RTL offers the ultimate in Ridgeline luxury thanks to a universal garage door opener, ambient lighting, 115-volt outlet, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and satellite radio service.

Optional Features
There is one factory option for the 2013 Honda Ridgeline, and it's available only on the RTL variant. This touch-screen, voice-activated navigation system features a compass and Bluetooth connectivity with related steering wheel-mounted controls. Also included is displayed location and pressure information for a standard tire-pressure monitor.

Under the Hood
Honda has equipped the 2013 Ridgeline with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers 250 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft. of torque, all of which works in concert with a 5-speed automatic transmission. An AWD system is standard and features a locking rear differential that can direct all of the engine's power to the rear wheels under certain conditions.

Unlike most other pickups, the 2013 Ridgeline uses a fully independent suspension system and a unibody architecture shared with the Honda Pilot SUV. The Ridgeline can tow 5,000 pounds, haul up to 1,546 pounds of payload, and head off the beaten path with 8.2 inches of ground clearance.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 Honda Ridgeline are 15/21/17 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Safety
The 2013 Honda Ridgeline's safety equipment includes 6 air bags, front active head restraints, traction control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist. A rearview camera is a new standard feature for 2013.

In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ridgeline received a "Good" rating--the Institute's highest--for frontal-offset crash protection; the Ridgeline also received a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the Institute. As this preview is written, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the crashworthiness of the 2013 Honda Ridgeline.