Automaker Honda has always been known for its dependable, reliable, and road-worthy cars. But with only a few automakers dominating the truck market, outsiders like Honda have struggled to gain popularity. The 2019 Ridgeline pickup truck, however, is here to prove that Honda can not only make a great truck but also compete with the best in the segment. Here’s why you should consider getting yourself a Ridgeline today.

The biggest reason why people are buying the Honda Ridgeline

As a compact pickup truck, the Honda Ridgeline may not be the ideal choice for someone who needs a truck for heavy-duty work. But according to MotorTrend, the 2019 Honda Ridgeline offers “all the traits of a modern car-based crossover and the utility of a truck.” It has a shorter, five-foot bed that’s more than suitable for hauling hardware store purchases or your adult adventuring toys on the weekend. But it’s also compact enough that driving it to the office or into a parking space is a breeze. The Honda Ridgeline offers the best of both worlds: the utility of a truck, without the bulk. And that’s just one of the reasons why the Ridgeline is one of the best-rated trucks on the market.

Why the Ridgeline is making an impression on the truck market

The Ridgeline’s compact design makes it easy to maneuver through tighter spaces, congested traffic, and more. It’s made with a unibody design that allows it to drive and ride with the comfort of a car or SUV. Handling is also less clunky than your average truck, with an impressive independent suspension that can tackle any bump, swerve, or emergency braking. In fact, the experts at Consumer Reports finds the Ridgeline to be “the most civilized pickup truck” they’ve ever tested. Though multiple trims are available, all Ridgelines come with a 3.5-liter, six-cylinder engine that puts out 280 hp, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Of course, the Ridgeline‘s compact design comes at a cost, with its maximum payload and towing capacities falling below other trucks on the market. For its size, however, you can still impressively haul up to 1,300 lbs in the bed and tow up to 5,000 lbs behind you. But in sacrificing heavy-duty towing capabilities, the Ridgeline becomes one of the most fuel-efficient trucks available, averaging an overall fuel economy rating of 20 mpg.

In true Honda fashion, the Ridgeline’s interior is a cut above its competition. All Ridgelines come standard with the safety features you know and love from Honda, with the suite of Honda Sensing driver assistance features available on upper trims. Other available options include a larger, 8.0-inch touchscreen, moonroof, and an in-bed audio system for the truck bed.

According to Car and Driver, the 2019 Honda Ridgeline comes with a cool, standard base price of $30,000, while the highest, Black Edition variation starts out a just under $45,000.

What the experts have to say about the 2019 Honda Ridgeline

The 2019 Honda Ridgeline shocked people everywhere by receiving rave reviews from experts. Though it doesn’t fit into the idea of a big, bulky, workhorse truck, the Ridgeline is rated as the number one compact pickup truck by both U.S. News and Consumer Reports. It’s also ranked among the Car and Driver’s 10-best, as well as its pick for Editors’ Choice.

U.S. News gives the 2019 Ridgeline a competitive overall rating of 8.3 out of 10, earning an impressive score of 8.9 from the critics and 9.3 in safety. On the test drive, U.S. News experts found the acceleration to be effortless, the fuel economy ratings impressive, and the interior to be best in its class. Consumer Reports, on the other hand, gives the 2019 Ridgeline a road test score of 83 out of 100, a reliability rating of four out of five, and a perfect owner satisfaction score of five out of five.