X

2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport (pictures)

Honda's Ridgeline looks like a modern interpretation of a pickup truck, but the cabin electronics don't follow through on that promise.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
35409775_OVR.jpg
1 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
Honda, known for economy cars, was a surprise entrant to the pickup truck market when it launched the Ridgeline in 2005. With a unibody design and a V-6 engine, the Ridgeline introduced car-style construction to the pickup truck, defying traditional American trucks. This new Sport trim, with its painted grille and custom wheels, is new for 2012.
35409775_FT.jpg
2 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
The Ridgeline is a mix of styles, tough but modern. The middle of the hood is lifted and the fenders are flared, making for a stronger look. But the buttresses leading down to the cargo bed lend a modern design to the Ridgeline.
35409775_SS01.jpg
3 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
Honda equips the Ridgeline with its 3.5-liter V-6, which uses VTEC variable valve timing and lift to improve efficiency. This engine produces 250 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, and is transversely mounted in a configuration that primarily drives the front wheels, although the Ridgeline is a four-wheel-drive truck.
35409775_SD.jpg
4 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
Honda only makes the Ridgeline as a crewcab, with seating for five. The bed is short, at only 5 feet long.
35409775_SS02.jpg
5 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
The Ridgeline is only sold in four-wheel-drive format, although the drive is biased toward the front wheels to help fuel economy. There is a lock button to maintain power at the rear wheels, but only at low speeds.
35409775_SS03.jpg
6 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
The tailgate opens down, in the traditional manner, but can also swing out sideways. There is also storage under the cargo bed.
35409775_SS04.jpg
7 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
The front seats are buckets, so only two people can sit up front.
35409775_SS05.jpg
8 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
The rear bench will accomodate three people.
35409775_INT.jpg
9 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
In Sport trim, Honda offers virtually no cabin electronics for the Ridgeline. Only the top level, RTL trim, gets navigation and Bluetooth.
35409775_SS08.jpg
10 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
The Ridgeline uses a hydraulic power-steering system.
35409775_SS09.jpg
11 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
The Ridgeline has big, simple analog gauges, reflecting the utilitarian theme of the interior.
35409775_SS07.jpg
12 of 12 Josh Miller/CNET
The only cabin electronics are this stereo system, with a single CD slot. Its most advanced feature is the ability to play MP3 CDs. There is also an auxiliary input jack.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos