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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Honda Ridgeline

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Honda Ridgeline

Overview

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2008 Honda Ridgeline Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

When compared to the traditional pickup truck, the 2008 Honda Ridgeline may look a bit quirky. From its flying-buttress sheetmetal connecting the cab to the bed to its unit-body construction and four-wheel independent suspension, the Ridgeline is anything but conventional. Intended to appeal to younger buyers with an appetite for weekend adventures, the Ridgeline is designed less for work and more with play in mind. It offers a roomy cabin for four with a great set of front bucket seats and a unique storage compartment below the bed that's perfect for hiding valuables. The Ridgeline's eight inches of ground clearance and advanced VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system can tackle just about any obstacle, making it ideal for traversing deep snow as well as going off-road.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a medium-sized pickup with outstanding resale and build quality, the 2008 Honda Ridgeline may be just the ticket. A locking weather-resistant trunk positioned in the cargo bed floor is easily accessed via the dual-action tailgate, which flips down in the normal way or swings open like a door.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you need a pickup for serious payload and towing duties, the 2008 Honda Ridgeline will not be your first choice. Towing capacity and offroad capabilities, while suitable for target buyers, fall short of many traditional body-on-frame pickups.

What's New for 2008

No major changes for 2008.

Driving the Ridgeline

Driving Impressions Refined solidity is the byword, along with a comfortable highway ride. On some rougher surfaces, though, quite a bit of road commotion is transmitted. Except for louder-than-expected engine sounds when...

accelerating, there is very little truck-like sensation inside. The Ridgeline handles moderate off-road treks with ease and, when towing a maximum-weight trailer, or with its bed filled, you hardly realize you're pulling a load. Still, the 2008 Honda Ridgeline has a heavy overall feel, due in part to its all-wheel-drive componentry, which cuts a bit into agility. Passing power is adequate, but not wholly energetic at all speeds. Four-channel anti-lock braking (ABS) incorporates electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist for more effective "panic" stops.

Favorite Features

In-the-bed Trunk
Why didn't anyone think of this common-sense idea before? On the down side, if you plan to load up the cargo bed, don't put important items inside the trunk because they won't be accessible.

Dual-Action Tailgate
Even if you're not reaching for the trunk, the ability to open the tailgate to the side rather than flipping it downward can be handy.

2008 Honda Ridgeline Details

Interior

Five passengers can ride in the Ridgeline, though rear knee space is marginal. Handy storage spots are all over the front compartment, including a huge, easy-to-reach glovebox. In the rear, the 24-degree seatback angle matches that of an Accord sedan. Under the rear seat is 2.6 cubic feet of storage, and a mountain bike can fit inside with the rear seat flipped down. Engineers have concentrated on neat details, like heater elements in the windshield that turn on automatically when needed, to prepare the wipers in cold weather. Side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags with rollover sensing are also standard and Honda claims a five-star rating in government crash-testing.

Exterior

Even up front, the Ridgeline is different, with a look Honda refers to as a "modern technical appearance." Built on a relatively long (122-inch) wheelbase, the Ridgeline is a foot-and-a-half shorter than a Ford F-Series CrewCab. Fitted with four lights, the five-foot cargo bed is made of SRC composite, and the In-Bed Trunk holds 8.5 cubic feet. Honda claims bending rigidity is 2.5 times that of a traditional pickup, while torsional rigidity is 20 times stiffer. Up to 1,100 pounds of cargo can go into the bed, and the Ridgeline can tow a 5,000-pound trailer.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

In addition to the Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel Drive system (VTM-4), standard equipment for every trim level of Ridgeline includes air conditioning, cruise control, heated wipers, a tilt steering column, power sliding rear window, 100-watt six-speaker CD stereo, Vehicle Stability Assist, Brake Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring and Electronic Brake Distribution. Up one level, the RTX adds painted alloy wheels and a trailer hitch. Up one more level and the RTS adds machine-finish alloy wheels, a seven-speaker 160-watt stereo, eight-way power driver's seat and dual-zone climate control, while the RTL adds leather upholstery, a power moonroof, XM Satellite Radio and heated front seats. Honda claims the Ridgeline was the first pickup with standard electronic stability control.

Optional Equipment

The only factory option is the navigation system available on the RTL; it's equipped with voice recognition and an eight-inch screen, and can display reception details of the available XM Satellite Radio. In addition, there are dozens of available dealer-installed accessories.

Under the Hood

The Ridgeline's 3.5-liter V6 is plenty strong, making 247 horsepower and giving the Ridgeline good off-the-line acceleration, ample cruising power and surprisingly good fuel economy. The engine can be loud at full-throttle, but not annoyingly so, and, typically for a Honda V6, it's also quite smooth. Honda is legendary for its durable engines and the 3.5-liter unit in the Ridgeline is no exception.

3.5-liter V6
247 horsepower @ 5750 rpm
245 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20

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2008 Honda Ridgeline Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.2

Out of 10

Based on 570 Ratings for the 2006 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.2/10

Quality

9.4/10
Reliability

9.5/10

Performance

9.2/10
Comfort

9.3/10

Styling

9.1/10

Best vehicle

By Jett (Canada) on Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 65,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "handling and comfort"

Cons: "acceleration, visibility and plastic accessories"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Most "pro" ratings give poor marks to the Ridge because of the lack of options. If you are looking for a 4 door, 4wd short box with all the safety features it cannot be beat. I drive in the winter with snow tires (no chains) and the truck reacts perfectly, no spinning, no skiding no slipping! The only thing that could be better is acceleration at medium speeds on the highway. The interior has good finish but I have had a few plastic parts break (cup holder, console storage and seat retract). The truck has had no mechanical problems in the 8 years I have owned it. That is surprising for the first model year of a new design."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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very functional for work and pleasure

By Leafy (FL) on Saturday, January 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 42,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "no major problems since owning it"

Cons: "bubbling on leather of driver's seat"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The Ridgeline is a replacement for a 1994 Ford Ranger. I bought the Ranger used and had a gazillion problems with it, even though I kept regular maintenance on it. I know that I had the Ranger towed about 12 times due to engine light coming on and it not starting. I finally got tired of paying new money on an older vehicle and on older parts. The Ridgeline has been so wonderful to not have any major problems in the last 4 years that I have owned it. I bought the Ridgeline used in 2009 with only 7,800 miles on it from a local Honda Dealership. I have only replaced the battery and I have had the back brakes replaced, along with all the scheduled oil changes, maintenance and auto butler. Auto butler has been wonderful in keeping the exterior paint looking like new. Florida sun can really fade an exterior paint on a vehicle. The driver's side seat's leather has bubbled in a small area. I had the seat reupholstered while under warranty. The seat bubbled again in the same spot. Honda dealership wanted nearly $900.00 for a reupholster. I ended up just putting a couple of band aids on the area so it wouldn't rip further. The cargo space under the bed holds all my tools for work, except for my brooms and small rakes, which fit under the back seat storage. The front seats are extremely comfortable for long rides. I put buying the Ridgeline in my 5 top best things I ever did for myself category."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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