A close look at the final year for Honda"s first truck
2014 Honda Ridgeline--Overview + What's New
Honda is famous for the amount of time it takes in planning an entry into a segment. As a result, Honda tends to enter new territory later than many others, but its products have a decidedly unique slant that’s chalked up to a long product development process. If you’re going to be late, you need to be bold and get it right. The Ridgeline is a perfect example. For many, the Ridgeline is a poor excuse for a pickup—lacking the configurability of competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 while falling short of the capabilities that can be found even in alternatives like the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan.
There is, however, a legion of extremely satisfied customers that find the Ridgeline to be just right for their needs. The Ridgeline stands apart as a truck that’s not a truck. Its suspension and chassis have much more in common with a car or a crossover SUV and, as a result, delivers a driving experience that’s comparatively nimble and smooth. A 1,500-pound payload and 5,000-lb. towing capacity is modest compared with its V6-powered challengers, but it’s just right for its targeted audience. Honda’s utilitarian steps out of the spotlight at the end of this year for some dramatic changes, making this year a good value proposition for those who want a light-duty truck…without the “truck”.
What’s New
The 2014 Honda Ridgeline rides off into the sunset at the end of this year, but a new Special Edition (SE) trim level has been added for its final bow before it returns from a serious redesign.
2014 Honda Ridgeline Bodystyles, Engines+ Powertrains
Bodystyles
Honda's unusual pickup exits the stage as it arrives, available only as a 5-passenger crew cab model.
Engines + Powertrains
For it’s final year the 2014 Honda Ridgeline continues with its same sole powerplant—a 3.5 liter V6 engine generating 250 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. True to its carlike approach The V6 turns the tires with a 5 speed automatic mated to an all wheel drive system.
The system sends it’s power almost exclusively to the front wheels and can be locked temporarily in all-wheel-drive mode at speeds up to 18 mph.
The EPA rates the Ridgeline's fuel economy at 17 mpg combined (15 city/21 highway).
Trim Levels
For 2014 Honda’s Ridgeline adds a new flavor to its lineup of trims. The five-passenger midsize pickup truck is offered in a single four-door crew cab style with five available trim levels: RT, Sport, RTS, RTL and a new top-of-the-line SE (also called Special Edition).
Honda’s Ridgeline begins life in RT trim, sporting features like cruise control, full power accessories, a rearview camera (displayed in mirror), a power-sliding rear window, a trip computer, a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, a 60/40-split lift-up rear seat (with under-seat storage), air-conditioning and 17-inch steel wheels.
The Sport trim adds goodies like a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, an auxiliary audio jack, unique exterior design touches, rear privacy glass, foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The RTS builds on the RT package in a slightly different direction, adding features like an eight-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, an upgraded seven-speaker audio system with a six-CD changer and17-inch alloy wheels. RTS models also kick in goodies that show up on the sport trim like rear privacy glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and an auxiliary audio jack.
The RTL comes standard with the RTL’s equipment and adds luxury touches like a sunroof, leather upholstery, ambient console lighting, heated front seats and side mirrors, a 115-volt AC power outlet, satellite radio, foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Lastly, The SE trim comes loaded with all of the RTL’s cake and then ices it with treats like a navigation system with voice recognition and Bluetooth phone connection capability.
Safety
The Honda Ridgeline Standard safety features include a rearview camera, antilock brakes, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags (with rollover sensor), front-seat active head restraints and stability control.
The NHTSA gave the 2014 Honda Ridgeline 4 out of 5 stars in its Rollover test, while the IIHS gave the 2014 Ridgeline its top honor of “Good” in frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength crash tests.
The Ridgeline’s head restraints also aced the IIHS’ whiplash protection test, as well.
Honda is famous for the amount of time it takes in planning an entry into a segment. As a result, Honda tends to enter new territory later than many others, but its products have a decidedly unique slant that’s chalked up to a long product development process. If you’re going to be late, you need to be bold and get it right. The Ridgeline is a perfect example. For many, the Ridgeline is a poor excuse for a pickup—lacking the configurability of competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 while falling short of the capabilities that can be found even in alternatives like the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan.
There is, however, a legion of extremely satisfied customers that find the Ridgeline to be just right for their needs. The Ridgeline stands apart as a truck that’s not a truck. Its suspension and chassis have much more in common with a car or a crossover SUV and, as a result, delivers a driving experience that’s comparatively nimble and smooth. A 1,500-pound payload and 5,000-lb. towing capacity is modest compared with its V6-powered challengers, but it’s just right for its targeted audience. Honda’s utilitarian steps out of the spotlight at the end of this year for some dramatic changes, making this year a good value proposition for those who want a light-duty truck…without the “truck”.
What’s New
The 2014 Honda Ridgeline rides off into the sunset at the end of this year, but a new Special Edition (SE) trim level has been added for its final bow before it returns from a serious redesign.
2014 Honda Ridgeline Bodystyles, Engines+ Powertrains
Bodystyles
Honda's unusual pickup exits the stage as it arrives, available only as a 5-passenger crew cab model.
Engines + Powertrains
For it’s final year the 2014 Honda Ridgeline continues with its same sole powerplant—a 3.5 liter V6 engine generating 250 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. True to its carlike approach The V6 turns the tires with a 5 speed automatic mated to an all wheel drive system.
The system sends it’s power almost exclusively to the front wheels and can be locked temporarily in all-wheel-drive mode at speeds up to 18 mph.
The EPA rates the Ridgeline's fuel economy at 17 mpg combined (15 city/21 highway).
Trim Levels
For 2014 Honda’s Ridgeline adds a new flavor to its lineup of trims. The five-passenger midsize pickup truck is offered in a single four-door crew cab style with five available trim levels: RT, Sport, RTS, RTL and a new top-of-the-line SE (also called Special Edition).
Honda’s Ridgeline begins life in RT trim, sporting features like cruise control, full power accessories, a rearview camera (displayed in mirror), a power-sliding rear window, a trip computer, a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, a 60/40-split lift-up rear seat (with under-seat storage), air-conditioning and 17-inch steel wheels.
The Sport trim adds goodies like a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, an auxiliary audio jack, unique exterior design touches, rear privacy glass, foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The RTS builds on the RT package in a slightly different direction, adding features like an eight-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, an upgraded seven-speaker audio system with a six-CD changer and17-inch alloy wheels. RTS models also kick in goodies that show up on the sport trim like rear privacy glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and an auxiliary audio jack.
The RTL comes standard with the RTL’s equipment and adds luxury touches like a sunroof, leather upholstery, ambient console lighting, heated front seats and side mirrors, a 115-volt AC power outlet, satellite radio, foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Lastly, The SE trim comes loaded with all of the RTL’s cake and then ices it with treats like a navigation system with voice recognition and Bluetooth phone connection capability.
Safety
The Honda Ridgeline Standard safety features include a rearview camera, antilock brakes, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags (with rollover sensor), front-seat active head restraints and stability control.
The NHTSA gave the 2014 Honda Ridgeline 4 out of 5 stars in its Rollover test, while the IIHS gave the 2014 Ridgeline its top honor of “Good” in frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength crash tests.
The Ridgeline’s head restraints also aced the IIHS’ whiplash protection test, as well.
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