Pickup trucks are one of the most sought-after types of vehicles on the market right now. Because of its versatility, the popularity of the pickup truck is expected to continue to grow in the next few years. With pickup trucks being in such high demand, many manufacturers are adding a wide range of special features to their line of trucks in order to help them stand out from the rest.

One company that is really hoping to make an impact on the market with their pickup truck is Honda. This year, the Honda Ridgeline is one of the most rugged, yet luxurious, trucks ever created. Not only are many truck enthusiasts starting to take notice of the Ridgeline, but the popular automobile publication, Car and Driver, have also had their eye on this impressive truck.

Recently, Car and Driver published an in-depth review of the Honda Ridgeline and her are just a few things that they loved about this truck.

1. Powerful and efficient engine

The one thing that Car and Driver really liked about the Ridgeline was its “smooth-revving engine.” The truck features a 3.6-liter V6 engine that is capable of producing 280 hp and up to 262 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine is mated to an efficient 6-speed automatic transmission. 

In a speed test, the Ridgeline was also able to beat out the competition. When put to the test, Car and Driver found that the Ridgeline was able to go from 0 to 60 mph in only 6.6 seconds. It was also able to travel a quarter of a mile in just 15.2 seconds.

2. Versatile Bed

With other trucks – like the new Ram 1500 – having its truck bed a multi-functional cargo area, Honda knew that it had to do something special to the Ridgeline’s bed in order to make it stand out among the rest.

The Ridgeline’s innovative tailgate is not only able to open like a traditional tailgate, but you can also pull the side handle and have the tailgate swing open horizontally to make loading and unloading the bed much easier.

The bed itself also features several other amenities that are sure to revolutionize the way you view a pickup truck. The bed features a lockable and watertight 7.3 cubic-foot under-the-bed storage area to help keep your smaller objects safe and out of the way while traveling. The ridgeline also features available exterior speakers that are built into the bed so that you and your friends can sit on the tailgate and listen to your favorite music.

3. It’s the best of both worlds

The Honda Ridgeline has the versatility and ruggedness of a truck. However, the interior also features the same amount of style and spaciousness that you would expect to find in an SUV.

The interior features 109 cubic-feet of space and is able to seat up to five people comfortably. The ridgeline offers the best-in-class passenger space. And if you need more cargo area on the inside, the rear seats are able to fold up to create a flat space that is perfect for holding groceries or anything else that you would not want to put in the bed of the truck.

To add another level of comfort and class to the interior, the Ridgeline also offers an available heating steering wheel as well as available premium leather seating.

4. Excellent Price

When it comes to affordability, the Ridgeline is priced at slightly less than its competition. For the standard model, buyers can expect to pay around $33,000. As you move up the trim levels, the price obviously increases, but only by little. The most expensive model is still priced well below $50,000.