The Honda Ridgeline is a mid-size pickup truck manufactured and marketed since the 2006 model year over two generations, in a unibody, crew-cab, short-box configuration with a transversely mounted engine.
Honda Ridgeline at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production since | 2006 model year |
| Class | mid-size pickup |
| Construction | unibody, crew cab, short box |
| Engine mounting | transverse |
| First generation | YK1, on sale March 2005 |
| Development lead | Gary Flint, Honda R&D Americas |
| Shared components | 7 percent with other Hondas |
| Development mule | extended first-generation Acura MDX |
| Concept | Sport Utility Truck, 2004 |
| First-generation production end | early 2015 |
| Second generation | YK2/3, on sale June 2016 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Ridgeline.
History of the Honda Ridgeline
A pickup for car buyers
The Car Design Yearbook called the first Ridgeline Honda’s first foray into the true heartland of the American automotive way of life, the pickup truck. An engineering team from Honda R&D Americas led by Gary Flint designed the vehicle, and according to the author of Driving Honda the company wanted to target buyers moving to a pickup from sedans, minivans and SUVs.
Development
Development started in 2001 with a mule using an extended first-generation Acura MDX with a competitor’s pickup bed integrated into the rear structure. After four years a Sport Utility Truck Concept was shown at the 2004 North American International Auto Show; later that year Honda unveiled a revised version at the SEMA show and announced the Ridgeline name. The production version appeared at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. Honda’s publications claim the first-generation Ridgeline shared only 7 percent of its components with other Honda vehicles, and its powertrain resembled the first-generation Acura MDX unit but was extensively recalibrated and strengthened for heavier hauling and towing. Production of the first generation ended in early 2015.
Second generation
After a one-year hiatus the second-generation Ridgeline went on sale in June 2016 for the 2017 model year. It took a different approach, sharing Honda’s global light truck platform with the third-generation Pilot.
Design and features
- Unibody construction: car-like behaviour in a pickup.
- Crew cab and short box: the only body style offered.
- Transverse engine: a front-wheel-drive-derived layout.
- Low parts sharing: only 7 percent commonality in the first generation.
Honda Ridgeline versions
- Ridgeline YK1 (2006–2014): the first generation.
- Sport Utility Truck Concept (2004): the show truck that previewed it.
- Ridgeline YK2/3 (2017): the Pilot-based second generation.
The Ridgeline shares its second-generation platform with the Honda Pilot and sits in Honda’s utility range with the Passport. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda Ridgeline, English Wikipedia: development, first generation, second generation
