The Honda Ridgeline tosses aside many of the traditional guidelines used in building a pickup. Perhaps most significantly, instead of bolting separate passenger and cargo modules to a frame, the Ridgeline is one solid piece, bumper to bumper, affixed to a ladder-type frame. That forms the basis of some more creative engineering including an independent rear suspension, a tailgate that can drop down or swing to the side and a large lockable storage bin located beneath the cargo bed designed to hold three sets of golf clubs. Stability control, all-wheel drive, traction control and side-curtain airbags are all part of the deal.

According to Honda, the Ridgeline boasts as much interior space as a four-door Ford F-150 and it can tow 5,000 pounds with its 255- horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed automatic transmission. The four-foot-wide by five-foot-long bed has six tie-down cleats, each with a 350-pound capacity. There are also four bright lights to help during night loading and the tailgate was designed to support more weight than any other pickup in the industry.

For 2007, the Ridgeline adds the $500 RTX trim level that includes a trailer hitch, alloy wheels and body-colored door handles and grille.

Base price: $27,800

Type: Four-door pickup

Base engine (hp): 3.5-liter SOHC V6 (255)

Layout: Front-engine, all-wheel drive

Transmission: Five-speed automatic

Mileage (city/hwy): 16/21

Safety: Front airbags; side-impact airbags; side-curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes; stability control; and traction control

(c) 2007 Record, The; Bergen County, N.J.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.