| The 4-door 2009 Honda Ridgeline pickup offers a unique configuration, with room for 5 and a 5-foot cargo bed with half-ton hauling capability. The bed comes with tie-downs and bed lamps, and there's also an 8.5-cubic-foot in-bed trunk that provides enough space for a large cooler or 3 golf bags.
The Ridgeline comes in 3 different trims. The base RT includes common comfort and convenience features such as air conditioning, a 6-way power seat, cruise control, power windows and locks. Keyless entry is also standard, as is a power-sliding rear window and 6-speaker, 100-watt CD sound system. The RTS model adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a unique grille, body-color door handles, dual-zone climate control, an 8-way power driver's seat and a 7-speaker, 160-watt sound system with a subwoofer, 6-disc in-dash changer, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. At the top of the range is the luxurious RTL, which upgrades to leather upholstery and includes heated front seats, a moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, a garage-door opener and XM satellite radio. A navigation system with rearview camera is available as an option on this model.
All 3 Ridgeline models come with a powerful 250-horsepower, 3.5L all-aluminum V6 engine with VTEC variable valve timing and lift for a broad torque curve. The shifting is done by a 5-speed automatic, and all models come with transmission and oil coolers, plus dual radiator fans.
A road-oriented all-wheel-drive system, called VTM-4, is standard; it reverts to front-wheel drive in dry pavement conditions but sends power to the rear wheels when traction is needed with the help of the stability control system. There's also an in-dash button for the rear differential lock, which may help improve traction in some conditions.
Unlike most pickups, the Ridgeline has unit-body construction, which gives the Ridgeline its strong rigidity. And, with a 4-wheel independent suspension, improves ride and handling along with safety. The Ridgeline comes with standard 2-row side-curtain air bags with a rollover sensor, anti-lock brakes, front seat active head restraints and electronic stability control, and it has earned 5-star federal safety ratings in frontal and side crash testing. |
| The Honda Ridgeline has been given a host of exterior changes for 2009, including an updated grille, revised bumpers and new headlights and taillights. The interior gets a new steering wheel as well as updated switches and instrumentation. A trailer hitch, daytime running lights and active front-seat head restraints are now standard across the line. The RTX trim level has been discontinued. The RTS now includes a 115-volt power outlet, and the RTL now comes with fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels and an iPod jack. Both the RTS and RTL feature a trailer harness with a 7-pin connector. When equipped with navigation, the RTL now also features a rearview camera. Gear ratios in the 5-speed automatic transmission have been modified, and the 3.5-liter V6 now sports 250 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque thanks to larger valves, an updated intake manifold and a revised camshaft profile. Despite the slight increase in power, fuel economy remains the same at 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. New accessories include a bed-mounted bicycle attachment and a motorcycle bed extender. |