Honda - Ridgeline

What's New for 2007: In its second year of production, the Honda Ridgeline gets a number of changes to its trim packages, including introduction of a new RTX model ($28,300). Beyond equipment included with the base RT model, the Ridgeline RTX adds a standard trailer hitch, gray-painted alloy wheels, an accessory grille and body colored door handles. Additionally, XM Satellite Radio hardware and a power moonroof are now standard on Ridgeline RTL.

The Ridgeline is sold in four different trim levels, with each model adding more standard equipment. Following Honda's new practice, there are no exterior badges to distinguish models.

All Ridgelines are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 247 horsepower, with a five-speed automatic transmission and Honda's VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system. This full-time all-wheel-drive normally proportions 60 percent of the power to the front wheels, but if conditions indicate it will automatically send as much as 70 percent of the engine torque to the rear wheels. Ridgeline also incorporates a limited-slip differential with lock feature.

The Ridgeline RT ($27,800) is the base model. It comes standard with black bumpers, black door handles and steel wheels, manually operated front seats, air conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control and a 100-watt, six-speaker stereo with CD.

The RTX ($28,300) is new for 2007.

The Ridgeline RTS ($30,275) adds painted bumpers, power front seats with manual lumbar support, a160-watt, seven-speaker stereo with six-CD changer and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The RTL ($32,940) adds still more standard features, including leather upholstery, a power moonroof and XM Satellite Radio hardware. The RTL can be equipped with Ridgeline's only factory installed option: Honda's DVD-based navigation system with voice recognition ($1,550). There are also dozens of dealer-installed accessories available for all Ridgeline models.

Safety equipment is comprehensive. It includes multi-stage front airbags and side-impact airbags for front passengers, front and rear side curtain airbags for head protection and LATCH child-seat anchors for the three rear seats. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, vehicle stability assist and a tire-pressure monitoring system are also standard.