Test drive Honda Ridgeline 2005 - 2009 pickup

Honda Ridgeline

Honda is famous for its innovative technical solutions and unusual car models. It is not surprising that when the company's specialists took up the development of a serial pickup for the American market, they chose to abandon many local canons. So Ridgeline was born, taking a unique position in his segment.
The American pickup market cannot but attract the leaders of Japanese automobile companies. Its sizes can be judged by the annual sales of the most popular Ford F-Series pickup family. In 2006, about 800 thousand copies sold them. And this despite the tangible increase in fuel prices and not the best as a whole situation in the American economy. That is why in several Japanese concerns immediately try to take any significant positions in this, it seems, of the boundless market. As we recall, in Toyota and Nissan, when creating their models, rely on American ideology. These companies tried to prepare new pickups by combining their own high technologies with classic American standards in design and architecture. It was according to this recipe that Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra were developed. The result is known: both Titan and especially the new generation Tundra are very popular in America.
Obviously, such an approach to creating a pickupa in Honda was considered too simple and boring. In the company with the Ridgeline model we went to a bold experiment. The first pickup in the history of Honda for the American market is distinguished by an innovative concept and presentation. This is a kind of mini-revolution from Honda. It seems that the company deliberately challenged overseas pickups. It turned out to be too unlike their direct competitors.
And at the same time, he makes the impression of a harmonious serial car, designed specifically for comfortable daily operation. A provocative idea for this segment and partly design should only intrigue rather than scare away potential customers. It is significant that in a short period of time, Ridgeline has become one of the most popular new pickups supplied to Russia informally. Unlike Americans, we do not have accumulated for several decades of experience in acquiring pickups, and therefore we treat new ideas without unnecessary snobbery. Especially when it comes to such excellent solutions that the Hondians offer.
New generation body
Probably a fashionable crossover term is the best suitable for Ridgeline, because Honda engineers really made an attempt to combine the best qualities of pickups and cars in the model. Ridgeline is also far from its architecture from classic American pickups as Acura MDX from Chevrolet Tahoe. Honda has succeeded in America with many of its cars, including Civic, Accord and CR-V. On the one hand, this allows the company to go to a bold experiment with the Ridgeline deficit in the budget of the American part of the concern and cannot be. On the other, the outlandish Ridgeline will only strengthen the image of Honda as a company with innovative and bold glances. And finally, perhaps in Honda they really count on good Ridgeline sales results in America.
To begin with, Honda relied on a supporting body. Exactly like this: finally in America, a serial mass pickup appeared without a frame in the usual sense. Honda engineers integrated power elements into the body structure. Such freedom from unspoken standards only dream of Toyota and Nissan. Also, the Honda did not separate the passenger interior and the cargo platform into two independent blocks. Indeed, Ridgeline does not have a characteristic gap between the cab and the body. The rear roof stand of the Ridgeline smoothly flows into the rear wings, and this single element reaches the very rear bumper. Something similar is now offered in their niche models and American manufacturers. And above all, I recall Chevrolet Avalanche. However, in contrast to Detroit giants, Ridgeline is positioned not as a niche, but as a completely independent pickup, capable of opening a new, by no means deceived segment in a huge market.
Unfortunately, in contrast with his frame rivals, Ridgeline cannot boast of a variety of modifications. Conventional pickups are available with several types of cabs and cargo platforms of different lengths. Their manufacturers can combine ready -made blocks of passenger compartments and bodies with each other. But for the Ridgeline is provided only one cab with four doors and a freight platform 150 cm long. But in Honda, several other new solutions were prepared for Ridgeline. For example, the rear door of the cargo compartment can either be thrown down, forming an even plane with the floor, or open to the side. And in the body itself, a peculiar cache of solid sizes is hidden, a luggage box located in the rear overhang in the underground. It is not clear whether it is possible to consider its existence by the care of Honda specialists about the needs of smugglers, but it is obvious that it is great for the transportation of various valuable luggage in everyday roads. And this trunk fits a lot of useful things: its declared useful volume is 240 liters!
Salon without surprises
But the interior of Ridgeline has not received many new solutions. Against the background of salons of many of the latest crossovers, it looks almost conservative. It is felt that here they took care of one most convenient and comfortable placement of all passengers. And initially a spacious and high cabin only facilitated this task. You will not have to complain about the tightness with a margin in front and behind. The design in the salon is subordinate to functionality, which should only delight the owners. The design of the front panel already says a lot. It consists of classic rectangular blocks and is almost devoid of bright details. Designers allowed themselves to reveal their capabilities only in a spectacular instrument shield with a speedometer placed in the center in a deep well in almost in a motor -stroke. Another bright element in the cabin unexpectedly ends in the inner hands of the front doors. These large sparkling details cannot but cause surprise, and the admiration of passengers. Otherwise, they preferred to do without surprises. Even the automatic transmission selector is supplied in the best American traditions in the form of a very very right -wing lever.
Passenger genes
Also, in contrast to competitors for Ridgeline, only one option of the engine V6 gasoline V6 is offered, which until recently was the flagship in the American line of the company. More recently, the new Acura MDX has already appeared a 3.7-liter V6 with a capacity of 300 hp. In Ridgeline, the engine produces 247 hp. It is fundamentally important that this V6 received the legendary temperament of Honda engines. The marking of the tachometer will say a lot: the red zone begins with 6500 rpm! In fact, the engine is spinning with enviable excitement, only spurred by the corresponding settings of the automatic 5-band gearbox. With aggressive pressing the gas pedal in each gear, the tachometer arrow clearly takes place 6000 rpm, which is still unique for pickup from the American market. Of course, the engine also received the corporate assembly mechanism of the VTEC gas distribution. Honda motorists, even in America, are trying to contrast their high -tech units to engines of a larger working volume offered by rivals. Now the 3.5-liter V6 from Honda is forced to fight 4-liter V6 from most competitors, including Nissan and Toyota.
According to the dynamics of Ridgeline, it is quite possible to compare with modern SUV, having engines of a similar volume. From a place to 100 km/h, Ridgeline accelerates easily, while the rate of acceleration practically does not fall and when 140 km/h is reached. It should be remembered that the Americans for security reasons prefer to limit the maximum speed of many SUVs and pickups in the region of 175180 km/h.
Of course, according to the behavior on the Road, even from Honda, even from Honda, it cannot be a real rival a light car or the latest crossover with a sports character. However, progress in comparison with frame pickups and SUVs is really impressive. After all, Ridgeline has an independent both front and back suspension. Moreover, in front is the time -tested McPherson, and the advanced multi -link system is behind. And thanks to the innovative power structure, the hardness of the body of the body in Ridgeline is several times higher than that of all the frame classmates, which guarantees a lower level of noise and vibrations. Add informative steering settings and get a pickup capable that can deliver a lot of pleasure on any roads. Ridgeline has excellent courage stability and easily passes. It takes some time to get used to these unusual sensations: hefty, in general, a pickup of more than 5 m long and obedient! Moreover, the branded Honda stabilization system with track control (VSA) is already included in the basic equipment. But Ridgeline has such intuitive habits that it is not so simple to achieve the VSA system. In ordinary situations, even on a wet coating, chassis and all -wheel drive transmission, enough to prevent crisis situations.
First meeting
Ridgeline actually combines the best qualities of cars and pickups. This model seems to stand between the two worlds, representing a sort of compromise. According to its functional qualities, Ridgeline will give a start to the minivans and even large SUVs. It is ideal for outdoor activities, but at the same time allows transportation in the back of household utensils and even building materials. You can imagine how easy life with Ridgeline in the city will be. He also has an obvious advantage over ordinary pickups in behavior on asphalt roads. And it doesn’t matter that the Ridgeline speed will be noticeably higher. The main thing is that on such trips, the driver and passengers will enjoy the comfort of a car. That is why in Russia it is Ridgeline that becomes the first pickup for many in life. After all, in his inner world and friendliness of all pickups, it is he who is closest to cars
Some technical characteristics of Honda Ridgeline
Dimensions, mm 5252x1938x1785
Equipped mass, kg 2040
Base, mm 3098
Front/behind, mm 1704/1724
Clearance, mm 208
Tires 245/65 R17
Benzine engine type V6
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 3471
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 247/5750
Max. moment, nm/rpm 332/4500
The transmission is automatic 5-band
Permanent drive full VTM-4
Max. Speed, km/h 311
Acceleration time 0-100 km, with less than 9.0
Tank volume, l 83
Fedor Oldin
Photo by Vitaly Usova
 
   
 
 

A source: Avtopanorama magazine