Honda Unveils 2017 Ridgeline Truck at Detroit Auto Show

Today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Honda finally pulled the cover off of its all-new 2017 Ridgeline truck. The second-generation Ridgeline, much like the first generation model, will look to challenge “conventional thinking in the pickup truck market” with its unibody chassis and unique features.

"We are bringing our unique technology and original thinking to the market in a new and challenging concept for a Honda pickup," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We think we've got a better idea, a truck that uses its unibody construction and Honda packaging magic to deliver more of the things that many of today's truck customers want and need with none of the things they don't."

Honda’s announcement ended speculation about a number of the second-gen Ridgeline’s features, such as the possibility of a body-on-frame design and its powertrain. The 2017 Ridgeline will be powered by the same 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 found in the Honda Pilot, and although official numbers were not announced today at the press conference, Honda did note it will offer the highest fuel economy in the segment. The V6 will be mated to a six-speed transmission to help provide what Honda says will be best-in-class acceleration figures. The new Ridgeline will also boast best-in-class cabin space and the only 5-foot-wide bed (and 5.4 inches long) in the segment, which the company notes is ideal for hauling 5-foot plywood or drywall sheets. No official payload capacity was announced, though Honda said the Ridgeline’s payload capacity will approaching 1600 pounds (more official figures will come closer to launch).

Honda also will offer the new Ridgeline in both a front-wheel drive option and an all-wheel-drive option featuring its i-VTM4 torque-vectoring system. Honda says this system will offer off-road settings for snow, mud and sand to vary the type of traction the system provides depending upon the terrain. The new Ridgeline will also offer a fully independent suspension, which Honda says will provide the great handling and road comfort.

Honda will return a few of the unique features found on the first Ridgeline, such as the In-Bed Trunk (though it will feature a flat floor this go around) and its dual-action tailgate, but it will also include a few new features such as a 400-watt AC power inverter and the industry’s first in-bed audio system.

The Honda Ridgeline is expected to be in dealerships sometime in the first half of 2016.