Honda releases 2008 Ridgeline details
If you're looking to buy a Honda Ridgeline, you might want to grab one of the remaining '07s on the lot. Honda has released the details on the 2008 models, and though not much on the award-winning truck has changed, the price on all trims goes up a little bit.
According to Honda's press release, the only thing different on 2008 Ridgelines is a wheel upgrade choice. Instead of chrome alloy wheels on the RTS and RTL tiers, customers get machine finished alloys.
The RT and RTX models get a $200 bump in price to $28,000 and $28,500. Honda adds $150 to the price of the RTS, $30,425; RTL, $33,090; and the RTL with navigation, $35,090.
The destination and handling fee also goes up, to $635, a $40 increase over the 2007 fee. EPA's new rules give the Ridgeline a slightly worse fuel economy rating, at 15/20 instead of 2007's 16/21.
Full press release after the jump, see our gallery for more photos.
Gallery: 2008 Honda Ridgeline
As a unique entrant in the half-ton pickup truck segment, the mid-sized Honda Ridgeline provides a number of innovative and industry-exclusive features with its 8.5 cubic-foot In-Bed Trunk™, a smooth and responsive four-wheel independent suspension, and standard safety equipment that includes side-curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®).
For 2008, a new wheel design with "machined styling" appears on the Ridgeline RTS and RTL, and the fabric interiors on the Ridgeline RT, RTX and RTS change from dual-tone styling to a contemporary single tone style.
"The Honda Ridgeline places a high priority on refinement, packaging and the everyday needs of pickup truck users," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Innovative functionality combined with a long list of standard equipment puts the Ridgeline in a class of its own."
The four-door, five-passenger Ridgeline is built on a closed-box unit-body frame that combines the strength characteristics of a ladder frame with the handling and packaging advantages of a unit-body design. Powertrain highlights include a 247-horsepower 3.5-liter VTEC® V-6 engine, a 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission and a Variable Torque Management® 4-wheel drive system (VTM-4®) - all as standard equipment. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, and all Ridgelines are ready-to-tow with the addition of an available accessory trailer hitch (standard on the Ridgeline RTX). Additionally, all models come equipped with standard transmission and oil coolers, heavy duty brakes, dual radiator fans and pre-wiring for 4- and 7-pin trailer hook up (wired on RTX).
A 5-foot composite cargo bed provides half-ton payload capacity and features six heavy duty tie-down cleats and four integrated bed lights. A dual-action tailgate opens down or to the side for ease-of-access to the lockable In-Bed Trunk, which has enough space for a large 72-quart cooler or three golf bags.
Standard comfort and convenience features on the Ridgeline RT include air conditioning; tilt steering wheel; power windows and door locks, power sliding rear window; cruise control; keyless entry; automatic heated wiper zone; six-speaker, 100-watt audio system with CD player; 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with underseat storage; and all-weather floor mats. Based on the Ridgeline RT, the Ridgeline RTX exclusively provides a standard trailer hitch and 4- and 7-pin trailer wiring, along with alloy wheels, an accessory grille and body-color painted door handles.
The Ridgeline RTS adds a seven-speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer and six-disc, in-dash audio system with steering wheel-mounted controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver's seat and alloy wheels.
The RTL adds a leather-trimmed interior with heated front seats, moonroof, XM® Satellite Radio, HomeLink® remote system, and an interior compass in the rearview mirror. A Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System® with voice recognition and MP3/ auxiliary input jack is available (and replaces the rear-view mirror interior compass).
The Ridgeline was the first-ever 4-door pickup to receive federal government's top 5-star safety rating, the highest safety rating possible, for both frontal and side impacts . In keeping with the Honda "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all Ridgeline trucks are equipped with standard anti-lock brakes; Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), also known as electronic stability control; brake assist; advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's SRS airbags; front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System(OPDS); and two-row side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor. A tire pressure monitoring system is also standard.
The closed box unit-body architecture delivers vastly superior rigidity compared to traditional body-on-frame designs and provides the foundation for the Ridgeline's spacious interior cabin and bed, outstanding safety performance and class-leading ride and handling performance.
The all-aluminum, 60-degree, SOHC 3.5-liter VTEC engine produces 247-horsepower at 5700 rpm and 245 lb-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) enhances low rpm torque while extending high rpm horsepower. The result is a broad torque curve that starts early at low rpms while still delivering top-end horsepower.
The fully-automatic VTM-4 system provides confident, decision-free operation in rain, snow, ice, sand and mud, while also improving on-road and towing performance by distributing torque to all four wheels as needed. The system provides front-wheel drive for dry-pavement cruising conditions and engages all-wheel drive when needed. The VSA system can apply braking force to a wheel with low traction and direct driving force to the wheel with more traction. For the rear differential, a "VTM-4" lock button located on the instrument panel allows the driver to temporarily hold engagement of both rear wheels to aid traction while in gears "1" and "2."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ridgelineowner 3:07AM (11/01/2009)
I find it funny to read all the things said about the ridgeline (bad) to the person who has a friend who has all these problems why isnt he the one complaining about THE RIDGELINE HE BOUGHT. FUNNY......you all fail to realize that just because honda refused to follow the others as far as looks engine size ect..... they made WHAT THEY FEEL CONSUMERS COULD REALY USE it works for me and lots of other people. no other TRUCK IN THE HISTORY OF AUTO MAKING HAD EARNED THE HIGHEST SAFETY RATING EVER NOT FORD, CHEVY, TOYOTA.............YES HONDA & they are selling just fine for all the people who want to say it cant tow.... LOL its all that i need & in years to come will out last all the others.
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Poopy Head 6:22PM (9/05/2007)
My buddy has had nothing but problems with this vehicle. Between the car derived suspension that keeps giving out and the requirement of premium fuel when towing near the max capacity so that you still have at least some semblance of passing power, I don't know where to begin.
That's what happens when someone that uses a "truck" for work decides to buy a lifted Japanese car. His reasoning was that he will never exceed the payload, cargo capacity, and towing ratings. Needless to say, when he "my partner" needs to do some actual work, we end up swapping keys.
On the bright side, it does have a nice interior and his kids like it.
P.S. This comes from a Honda enthusiast, and weren't they considering putting the 3.7 J-Series in this thing.
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Sam 6:26PM (9/05/2007)
you are so fos I dont know where to begin....
Poopy Head 8:39PM (9/05/2007)
Even Edmunds had problems with theirs. Sometimes we have to drive down pot hole ridden unpaved roads to get to a subdivision in progress. This, in combination with a 6x12 supply trailer and a few bags of Quikrete in the back seem to seriously take their toll on things. My truck almost never goes out of alignment, his Ridgeline prematurely wears out the inside of the front tires and usually pulls one way or another. Getting it realigned fixes it, but only a month or two has to pass before it goes right back to where it was. I know this because I end up driving it when the Home Depot shopping list gets too long.
He admits that he probably could have chosen a better vehicle given his career. He has eluded to wanting to see what the new F-150 will be like next year and then maybe giving the Honda to his wife. Only time will tell.
Barney 10:31PM (9/05/2007)
Your friend must have a rare problem truck. I know several people who use them as a truck and quite pleased with them. All of them do say the Ridgeline is not good on gas but that may be because they do work them hard. One guy even has a rack on it to carry lumber.
Poopy Head 10:49PM (9/05/2007)
I think it has more to do with the off road driving that we have to endure. Not in a true sports oriented offroad way, but in the light that we have to go OFF the road to get to some places. Having a vehicle loaded down and then going down a 5+ mile long bumpy pothole filled road doesn't do any vehicle a favor. But, my Titan and my wifes F-150 seem to handle it just fine.
It does get 2-3 more MPG than my trucks. When towing, its almost a wash.
That's another pet peeve. It can almost never stay in top gear when we do what we do. Instead of the nice 2200 rpms it does around 75 mph, it blasts up to 3000. In contrast to 3000 rpms, my other trucks do 1800 and 1900 respectively and even have the ability to accelerate in those gears.
I think Honda made a mistake when marketing this vehicle as a TRUCK. Even Ford calls their comparable (and more capable) model an Explorer Sportrac and doesn't market it as a truck.
Don 7:30PM (9/06/2007)
I'm sorry, but the Ridgeline isn't mean to be a work truck. And if it isn't meant for work, why would anyone buy one? The 3.5L has to be worked like a dog to get the same performance of a Chevy 5.3L V8, and mileage suffers accordingly.
And I know I'm in the majority when I say "Damn, is that thing ugly!"
Poopy Head 8:47PM (9/06/2007)
Quote: I'm sorry, but the Ridgeline isn't mean to be a work truck. And if it isn't meant for work, why would anyone buy one?
Tell that to the Honda marketing department. Go to Honda's website, click on the Ridgeline, and honestly tell me that they aren't marketing it as such. Click the links talking about payload and towing. Tell me they don't make it sound tough. They even have pictures of it doing serious offloading.
The fact of the matter is, he bought one, sometimes it can't do what we do, and now and then it can be a pain.
john 4:54PM (9/30/2007)
uh your talking about the ridgeline?
Your friend’s ridgeline not yours, Right?
i own a ridgeline with 35000 miles on it and have had no problems at all.
i have always owed "real 4X4s." i even rebuilt a Chevy k5 with a 400 small block, lift kit, the works...
This SUT works great in snow, sand, and mud .it’s not meant for hard core 4X4-ing but it works great for 85% of all off-roading that most drivers do.
How many people take an upper $20-30 thousand truck mudding or rock climbing? If you need a "truck for hard core construction type work" then buy a Ford, Chevy, Toyota, or Nissan .But if you need a Truck to carry your family, go to work, home depot, dump, or the nursery to get a tree or a drive on the beach or whatever this truck it’s great..
I would let my daughters drive this truck in the snow anytime. It handles better than a most if not all of my other 4x4s did in the snow. I was unsure about the computer running the AWD but man, it works great. Your really won’t get stuck in the is truck in the snow
Look at this truck if you’re looking for comfort ,safety, and the weekend project truck ,
This is the truck for u. Don’t waste your money on an SUV that you will never really use unless ur going on safari somewhere
Silver 6:44PM (9/05/2007)
Hmm, too bad Honda couldn't do something about the ugly for 2008...
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Albert 7:04PM (9/05/2007)
The ridgeline is one of those handful of cars that the people that buy them love them tremendously and the people that bash them are those that have never driven one, owned one or even know a person that owns one.
Other vehicles that are in this underachieving category are the Ford 500, Ford Freestyle, Toyota Prius, Saturn Ion, and Infiniti Q45 just to name a few.
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SPG 7:14PM (9/05/2007)
As far as your Q45 comment goes, what the hell happened? The Q45 was awesome back in the early 90's but now it's a poorly styled blob.
I agree with your entire comment by the way.
smartmlp 7:29PM (9/05/2007)
I like how you call it a car. This only reaffirms the point that this is not a real truck. its an overpriced grocery getter for a woman who will never see the capacty of a real half ton truck. The Ridgeline is not only ugly, but it fails to fit the role of truck. It has more in common with a AWD economy car then a offroading truck, but then again that doesn't matter to a woman going to the store.
I'm sure its nice vehicle, when you compare it to its siblings the honda accord and the pilot. It claims to be a truck, looks somewhat like a truck, and it gets truck gas millage, but unfortunately these qualities do not make it a truck alone. Dont even bother to compare it to other trucks that cost the same. The Silverado is a way better offering, and its actually a truck.
Albert 7:39PM (9/05/2007)
The car part was a mistake I meant vehicle.
Secondly you reaffirm everything I said.
This vehicle is actually a great offroader and has won offroading competitions.
And as always people that know the least about something bash it the most such as calling it a grocery getter for women.
Barney 10:42PM (9/05/2007)
You got to remember smartmlp that not everyone acts like an idiot and would find the big trucks useless as a everyday vehicle. We all can't be stupid just to downgrade something, because it's smaller. Many female truckers may be tired of driving a big rig and like their male brethren, appreciate a handy truck that isn't big and clumsy. Those women may not enjoy the hassle of driving an overbearing vehicle when not needed, as you do.
lovemyridge 5:04PM (9/07/2007)
Amen to those that own a Ridgeline. We have had ours for 28 months and besides changing the oil and replacement of a burnt bulb in the dash, it is most reliable.
Before you jump all over me and curse me out...................... If you really look hard at the Ridgeline, it is a truck and a very safe truck. Many things are SUV like, but over all it does what every "Ridgeline Owner" wanted it to do.
I didnot buy my Ridge for style or appearances, I purchased it because it is built to keep me and my family members safe.
Everyone I know who owns one, and many have owned trucks from the BIG Three. They all are extremely happy with their purchase.
The design of the Ridgeline changed the rules of what a "Truck" can be and it appears that it upset a lot of people.
The Ridgeline is not for everyone, but before you JUDGE the vehicle and the people who drive them and love them,
Check it out throughly. Drive one, Talk to someone who owns one.....
Poopy Head 4:40PM (9/07/2007)
lovemyridge
It's not new territory and it hasn't changed any rules. The Explorer Sportrac was introduced far before the Ridgeline was even a thought. All Honda did was add a trunk in the bed, which Ford also did when their new generation of Explorer came out around the same time.
The size is similar to the Sportrac, the lines are similar to the Avalanche. There is nothing new here. Honda just made a unit body copy. The lack of a frame allows for better handling and control, at the expense of capability for work duty.
SPG 7:16PM (9/05/2007)
I have a love it and hate thing going on with the Ridgeline.
When it came out I hated it.
Then I loved it.
Now I only like the base model with the steel wheels and the non painted door handles.
I think this truckette needs a freshening.
Ever seen one chromed out? Like with the chrome bits stuck on the bumpers and things? Holy crap it's gross.
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mavkato 10:45AM (9/06/2007)
or the ones with the gold badging package
r129 7:47PM (9/05/2007)
I fail to see how this qualifies as news, or even something of note. The 2008 Ridgeline has had no changes other than one style of wheels, and it's had a small price increase. What about all the other carryover models? You know, the Ford Ranger has a redesigned front bumper for 2008.
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