Though its unibody structure makes some potential buyers dismiss it as not being a “real truck” the Ridgeline is, if you don’t need a high tow rating, the solid, civilized truck that most owners actually need. With smooth V6 power, unibody solidity, sophisticated suspension, precise steering, a firmly resilient ride and steady handling, the Ridgeline is an absolute delight on the road. Maximum tow rating is a respectable 2268 kilograms (5000 lbs.), but isn’t as high as some versions of trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado or Ford Ranger.

Though still a unibody like the Ford Maverick, the Ridgeline is bigger in all dimensions

The four-door crew cab body style shares some elements with the related Passport and the cabin is essentially the same as its CUV showroom mate.

The front seats are large and comfortable, as is the rear bench seat. Legroom is abundant but rear seat legroom is more adequate than generous. The driver faces clear, conventional gauges. The moderately-sized infotainment screen features reasonable graphics and is easy to use other than the fact is does not have a tuning knob, which makes life more difficult than it should be. The climate controls are easy to manipulate. Honda’s gear selector, which uses a series of pushbuttons and toggles, seems odd at first but actually works well enough once you are used to it.

The tailgate door can be opened from the side or folded down. The cargo area is shallower than on body-on-frame competitors like the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado, but will happily take 4 x 8 building materials.

The Ridgeline’s cargo floor contains a large, weather-proof, trunk.

The base Sport version includes a comprehensive active safety system, a sunroof and power front seats. The Trailsport trim adds leather seating, parking sonars front and rear, heated rear seats and a garage door opener. The Black Edition includes navigation and ventilated front seats. Both the Trailsport and Black Edition lack content for the money asked.