Honda has just announced that an all-new Honda Ridgeline will hit the market within two years. Judging by the teaser sketch, Honda has made some serious changes to the Ridgeline. Look at the photo, what do you see? The first thing I see is a profile that is more in line with the classic pickup truck profile. There is no oddball-looking flying buttress and the bed appears longer than the outgoing model’s five-foot length.
Hazah and rejoice!
Just like the current model, the next Honda Ridgeline will be built by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, in Lincoln, Alabama. The current model’s run will cease in the middle of 2014. Honda sold just over 16,000 Ridgeline trucks in the past 11 months.
“The next generation Ridgeline will build on Honda’s role in creating new value with a new take on advancing form and function in the truck segment,” said Michael Accavitti, senior vice president of automobile operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “With a clear path forward, Ridgeline will play an even more important role in our future product portfolio and strengthen an already class-leading lineup of light trucks.”
I had high hopes for the first Honda Ridgeline when it came out. As a highly utilitarian, personal use pickup truck it was excellent. I took one camping off road and another to a ski slope and it was very capable. On the road, it was just as quiet and comfortable as an Accord. The in-bed trunk and multi-function tailgate were very useful and slick in their deign. There was a lot to like about the Honda Ridgeline; alas, the look of the thing was off-putting to many as was the price. Power was so-so and the bed length was a hair too short. With no significant updates, I was surprised it lasted this long.
With the advent of the upcoming Chevrolet Colorado and serious updates looming for other smaller trucks, this is a smart move by Honda. Hopefully, they will take steps to offer more options to the consumer. A diesel and manual base-model Ridgeline wouldn’t hurt either.
I’m keeping a close eye on this one.
Speaking of the all-new Chevrolet Colorado, check out its debut at the 2013 LA Auto Show!
