"Honda's first pickup truck is a compact-class 5-passenger 4-dr crew cab with a 5-ft-long cargo bed. Ridgeline has several design features unusual to pickups, including independent rear suspension vs. solid axle, and unibody construction vs. body on frame. Its cargo box is of dent-resistant plastic with a steel-reinforced floor that incorporates a locking ""trunk"" bin at the rear. A two-way drop-down/swing-out tailgate is another pickup anomaly. The sole powertrain is the same 255-hp V6, 5-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive system found in Honda's Pilot SUV. The system normally powers the front wheels and engages the rears when the front tires slip. Ridgeline is not designed for severe off-road use and lacks low-range gearing, but a dashboard button locks in power to the rear wheels for extra traction.

RT, RTS, and top-line RTL models are offered. Exclusive to RTL versions are such features as leather upholstery, heated front seats, sunroof, and navigation system. All models have front bucket seats and a 60/40 split rear bench with cushions that flip up to increase in-cab storage. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid/traction control, and 17-inch wheels are standard. So are front torso side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags. The curtains cover both seating rows and are designed to deploy in a side impact or when sensors detect an impending rollover. Ridgeline's rear window has a power sliding center section. The transmission shift lever is mounted on the steering column, and between the front seats is a center console that slides fore and aft several inches to customize storage space. "