Honda Unveils New Ridgeline At NAIAS

2015 was an exciting year for Honda. Not only did they introduce the new and upgraded Accord and the Civic, the latter has also received its fair share of awards. It was in fact named the 2016 North American Car of the Year at the Detroit auto show.  For 2016, the automaker is starting the year with a bang by unveiling their new (and returning) Ridgeline pickup truck. And it finally shed the flying buttresses.

Designed and manufactured in America, the new Ridgeline is based on the Global Light Truck platform and ACE structure. You will notice the front grille's Pilot DNA, but that's pretty much where the design similarities lay. The 2017 Ridgeline now boasts the largest in-class cabin as well as a four-foot wide flat bed. And there's more to this bed than meets the eye: the Ridgeline now also features an In-Bed Trunk; a dual-action tailgate that either opens up like a classic pickup box, towards the bottom, or like a standard door, mounted on side hinges. And for the tailgate pros looking to cook at some sporting get together at the back of their pickup trucks, this model-year is equipped with a set of in-bed speakers to set the mood of your event.

New to this model year is also the possibility of getting a Ridgeline either in front or all-wheel drive layout with Honda's i-VTM4 AWD technology. It will share the Honda Pilot's powertain, the 3.5L i-VTEC V6 engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which, according to the manufacturer, will provide class-leading fuel economy. The new-old pickup truck has also been updated technology-wise and received Honda's fleet of safety and entertainment technology, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Coming straight out of Honda's Alabama plant, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline is expected to debut on the market later this year.