The previous Ridgeline was front - wheel drive only.
The 2017 Ridgeline's 0 - 60mph acceleration is quickened by 1.8 seconds compared to
the previous Ridgeline, based on internal Honda tests.
The flush side glass, now 43 - percent thicker than on
the previous Ridgeline, further reduces noise levels in the cabin.
Compared to
the previous Ridgeline model, the coefficient of drag x area (CdA) is reduced 15 percent, as determined by CFD simulations.
Exterior Dimensions Compared to
the previous Ridgeline, the new 2017 Ridgeline's wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer and overall vehicle length is up 2.8 inches.
Cast Magnesium Steering Hanger Beam Located inside the instrument panel, the Ridgeline's cast magnesium steering hanger beam replaces the multi-part steel unit in
the previous Ridgeline.
The tempered glass front and rear side windows are 5 mm thick, 1.5 mm or 43 - percent thicker than on
the previous Ridgeline.
Perhaps in an effort to play that down, where
the previous Ridgeline had unusual flying buttresses between the back of the cab and (odd - looking) tapering box sides, the new model looks much more conventional, right down to having a visible parting line between the box and cab.
Compared to
the previous Ridgeline, the new model's torque - vectoring AWD system is 46 percent faster in engaging the rear wheels and has 20 percent more torque capacity.
The added power and torque over
the previous Ridgeline made passing and merging a breeze and despite being a naturally aspirated engine at altitude, it felt only slightly underpowered through the daunting Rockies.
Not exact matches
The 2018
Ridgeline sheds some of the trim levels from
previous model years, consolidating many of the popular features among trim levels into just six variants for 2018.
For the 2017
Ridgeline, Honda has completely redesigned the vehicle from its
previous model.
With the arrival of a second - generation Honda
Ridgeline, «We are hoping to exceed the
previous generation's peak sales year,» Honda Canada's Maki Inoue told Autofocus.
Where the
Ridgeline clearly betters its rivals is in the versatility of its cargo box, which carries over the
previous model's unique two - way tailgate (it folds down conventionally or swings open) and large in - bed storage compartment.
The
previous - generation
Ridgeline, which was in production from 2006 - 2014, was also unibody, but the structure of the new
Ridgeline has improved body rigidity.
Unlike other compact pickups that have body - on - frame construction, the redesigned
Ridgeline retains the four - door, five - passenger configuration and carlike unibody construction of its
previous generation.
Compared to the
previous generation
Ridgeline, the new
Ridgeline has a 5 mm longer front overhang and a 10 mm shorter rear overhang.
Altogether, the improvements reduce uncontrolled body leak area by 75 percent compared to the
previous generation
Ridgeline.
Utilizing fully boxed frame members for the body sides and rear tailgate frame, the truss - style rear inner construction contributes to the new
Ridgeline's more conventional three - box design profile — allowing for the elimination of the buttress - style body structure in the forward portion of the upper bed on the
previous model — while contributing to a 28 - percent gain in torsional rigidity versus the
previous model.
Visibility Outward visibility is improved courtesy of narrower A - and B - pillars, increasing total outward visibility for the driver from 263.6 degrees on the
previous model to 268.2 degrees on the 2017
Ridgeline, a gain of 1.8 - percent (with all headrests up).
The new
Ridgeline also has 4.0 mm thick rear glass, which is 0.9 mm thicker than that of the
previous model.
Innovative and Versatile Pickup Bed The 2017
Ridgeline's new UV - stabilized ultra-high strength glass fiber - reinforced SMC composite bed is longer (+3.9 inches, or 100 mm) and wider (+5.5 inches, or 140 mm) than in the
previous model and is the only bed in the midsize class that can flat haul 4 - foot - wide items, such as drywall or plywood panels on the floor between the wheel wells.
Cargo Bed Measuring 64 inches (1,626 mm) in length, the 2017
Ridgeline's bed is 3.9 inches (100 mm) longer than the
previous generation and is complemented by a class - leading overall payload capacity of up to 1,584 pounds, or 718.5 kg (RT AWD), an increase of 38 pounds (17.2 kg) compared to the
previous model.
Windshield Wipers The 2017
Ridgeline's new wiper design uses fewer parts — 11 versus 17 on the
previous model — to reduce replacement cost.
The new engine is mated to a new, smooth shifting 6 - speed automatic (6AT) that offers a 20 percent wider gear ratio spread than the
previous - generation
Ridgeline 5 - speed automatic for enhanced acceleration, pulling power and fuel efficiency.
Compared to the
previous - generation
Ridgeline AWD system, weight is reduced by 22 pounds (10 kg) and torque capacity is increased by 20 percent.
(10 kg) lighter than the
previous generation
Ridgeline unit and is constantly overdriven by 2.7 percent.
As you can see... the new
Ridgeline brings more traditional truck proportions and styling than the
previous generation... while retaining space efficiency, ride comfort and flexible utility that helped make the original
Ridgeline both the Motor Trend Truck of the Year... as well as the North American Truck of the Year.
See, the
Ridgeline is a lifestyle truck — built using a unibody frame that shares much of its core with the
previous Odyssey van.
The
previous generation
Ridgeline stood apart from the rest of its class due to its unibody construction, as opposed to the body - over-frame setup that most modern pickups use.