Honda’s all-new midsize Ridgeline pickup will be priced from $30,375, including destination, when it goes on sale in June and will feature class-leading fuel economy, according to the automaker.
The 2017 Ridgeline will come with front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations, a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 280 hp and 262 pounds-feet of torque and a six-speed automatic transmission, Honda said recently. The pickup will offer two-wheel drive for the first time, a setup that delivers 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined. Towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds. Honda expects about 30 percent of buyers to opt for the setup, based on the take rate for 2wd versions of its other light trucks.
Awd, an $1,800 option on all but the highest trim levels, will reduce fuel economy by 1 mpg across the board. Tow ratings jump to 5,000 pounds for awd models. Honda points out that unlike rival pickups from General Motors and Toyota, all Ridgeline models come standard with a towing setup. The Ridgeline will come in seven trim grades, peaking with the Black Edition at $43,770. The $36,480 awd RTL is expected to be the volume seller.
The new Ridgeline picks up where its predecessor left off with a unibody setup, making it unique among an industry full of body-on-frame trucks. Because it is based on Honda’s light-truck platform that also underpins the large Pilot crossover and upcoming redesigned Odyssey minivan, the Ridgeline is able to offer distinct features, such as a smoother ride, more interior room and an in-bed storage compartment.
Honda hopes demand for the second iteration of the Ridgeline will eventually match the previous version’s U.S. sales peak of 50,193. With the new Ridgeline’s more traditional truck styling, introduction of cheaper 2wd models and the same innovative features as before — in-bed truck, two-way tailgate, comfy ride — Honda is bullish on its prospects.
