Honda is redesigning the Ridgeline to look more like a traditional truck, with a boxier design and higher ground clearance. The current generation of the Ridgeline has been around for 10 years, and it's due for a refresh. Honda has confirmed that a new and more rugged model is on the way, with a release date "within two years".
The new Ridgeline is being designed at Honda's Southern California styling studio, and it's expected to have a strong jawline thanks to a front bumper that's mostly straight up-and-down. It will also sit up higher with tall all-terrain tires, and the design team has chosen not to smooth the bed break line, although it's sure to retain its unibody construction.
View Price on AmazonIn addition to styling the truck in SoCal, Honda is engineering it in Ohio. Year after year, the Ridgeline is one of the most American-made vehicles—a trend that will seemingly continue on. Honda is staying tight-lipped on powertrain details for now, though you can't help but assume it'll borrow the new Passport's 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6, maybe with hybrid assist.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Ridgeline adopt a lot more from the Passport, really. And why wouldn't it? Honda did a stellar job with the new SUV, in both my opinion and that of those who have driven it for thousands of miles. Plus, the existing Ridgeline already rides on the last-gen Passport platform, and the next one will still be built at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant.
Source: thedrive.com
