2010 Honda Ridgeline

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.

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 standard family 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.

Even up front, the Ridgeline is different, with a recently revised look Honda refers to as a "more chiseled appearance." Built on a relatively long (122-inch) wheelbase, the Ridgeline is nearly 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; the clever tailgate can either swing out or be flipped down. 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.

The Ridgeline's 3.5-liter V6 is plenty strong, making 250 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
250 horsepower @ 5700 rpm
247 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20