2008 Honda Ridgeline Review

The four-door 2008 Honda Ridgeline pickup offers a unique configuration, with room for five and a five-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 three golf bags.

The Ridgeline comes in four different models. The base RT includes most common comfort and convenience features such as air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks, and keyless entry, plus a power-sliding rear window and six-speaker, 100-watt CD sound system. The RTX model adds a trailer hitch and wiring, alloy wheels, a unique grille, and body-color door handles. Next up is the RTS, which adds dual-zone climate control, alloy wheels, a power driver's seat, and a seven-speaker, 160-watt sound system with subwoofer and six-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, a garage-door opener, and XM satellite radio. A navigation system is available on this model.

All four Ridgeline models come with a powerful 247-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 five-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 allows better rigidity than body-on-frame designs and, with a four-wheel independent suspension, improves ride and handling along with safety. The Ridgeline comes with standard two-row side-curtain air bags with a rollover sensor, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control, and it has earned five-star federal safety ratings in frontal and side crash testing.
For 2008, the Honda Ridgeline carries over with only a few minor changes. New "machined styling" wheels are featured on the Ridgeline RTS and RTL, and the fabric interior in the RT, RTX, and RTS models is changed from a two-tone style to a single tone. see less