Overview

What Changed for 2008:

• RT, RTX and RTS get single-tone interior fabric


• New wheel design for RTS and RTL models

Overview
The introduction of Honda's Ridgeline in 2006 marked a new milestone in half-ton pickup truck innovation. While traditional pickup trucks use a body and bed bolted to a ladder frame, the Ridgeline employs a combination of frame and unit body with a composite bed. As a result, the Ridgeline offers typical half-ton pickup truck capabilities for towing and hauling combined with features such as a locking trunk built into the cargo bed (large enough for a 72-qt. cooler or three golf bags) and a tailgate that can be opened down or sideways. The Ridgeline has a 1500-pound payload capacity and can tow up to 5000 pounds.

Model Lineup
The 2008 Honda Ridgeline is offered in RT, RTX, RTS and RTL models. The Ridgeline RT includes air conditioning; power windows, locks, side windows and sliding rear window; cruise control; keyless entry; automatic heated wiper zone; 6-speaker, 100-watt audio system with CD player; 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with underseat storage; and all-weather floor mats. The Ridgeline RTX adds a standard trailer hitch with 4- and 7-pin trailer wiring; alloy wheels; signature grille; and body-color painted door handles.

The Ridgeline RTS adds a 7-speaker, 160-watt audio system with subwoofer, 6-disc CD player and steering-wheel-mounted controls; dual-zone automatic climate control; 8-way power driver's seat; and alloy wheels. The RTL adds a leather-trimmed interior with heated front seats; moonroof; XM satellite radio; HomeLink remote system; and a compass integrated into the rearview mirror. GPS navigation with voice recognition and MP3/auxiliary input jack is available on the RTL.

Powertrain
The 2008 Honda Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with an output of 247 hp at 5750 rpm and 145 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. A 5-speed automatic transmission delivers power to all four wheels through Honda's VTM-4 Variable Torque Management 4-wheel-drive system. EPA fuel economy estimates are 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway.

Safety
According to Honda, the Ridgeline is the first 4-door pickup to receive the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) top 5-star safety rating for both front- and side-impact crash test performance. The Ridgeline earned 4 stars in the NHTSA's rollover test. Standard safety equipment on the 2008 Honda Ridgeline includes front air bags, front-seat-mounted side air bags, two-row side curtain air bags, a tire-pressure-monitoring system, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control.

Technology
The 2008 Honda Ridgeline is unique for its combination of ladder-frame and unit-body (or unibody) construction. Unibody construction yields more interior space with superior crash protection, according to the manufacturer. The Ridgeline's body shell is designed as a unibody, which is bolted to a boxed-steel frame for added rigidity. The Ridgeline uses a transverse-mounted engine similar to that found in a unibody crossover utility vehicle. The bed is made of a composite material strengthened by steel cross members, a method of construction that, Honda says, resists dents and rust and provides a non-slip coating without the need for a bed liner.