2017 Honda Ridgelines ‘uniqueness’ sets it above midsize truck segment

It’s a midsize premium sedan with crossover tendencies and a pickup bed. Or, is 2017 Ridgeline a midsize extended cab pickup truck with uptick premium car accoutrements and exceptional road dynamics? It’s both, and more. 2017 Honda Ridgeline effectively replaces 3 vehicles in my driveway.

As a pickup truck driver for decades…

You know, what can I tell you? The short story here is that as a primary vehicle pickup truck driver and owner for the better part of my adult life, I’ve never experienced anything in a pickup truck format quite like 2017 Honda Ridgeline -- and I believe that that’s exactly what Honda engineering had in mind when they effectively reinvented their under-appreciated, yet very capable last generation unibody car-truck.

Automotive writers love 2017 Honda Ridgeline

I’ve yet to read a negative review of the reinvented Ridgeline pickup. Auto writers, after experiencing 2017 Ridgeline, including myself, have walked away with a greater appreciation of Honda’s only North America pickup truck offering. You may read my initial drive and ride impressions here.

Shares a manufacturing platform with Pilot and Odyssey, yet much tougher

While attending the San Antonio, Texas reveal of 2017 Ridgeline, Honda not only demonstrated the real world toughness and durability of the most comfortable offering in the growing midsize truck segment, but presented for our review, chassis and drivetrain components -- including the most unique (and only) electronically actuated “wet clutch” rear differential in the segment -- enabling differential locking, torque vectoring towing, and exceptional tractability at the push of a button.

I believe that 2017 Ridgeline when released to dealerships in June, will be yet another best seller for Honda. With production fired up in Lincoln, Alabama, Honda fully anticipates to answer demand with capacity to double 2014 production numbers.