{"id":498682,"date":"2010-04-02T04:00:39","date_gmt":"2010-04-02T08:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autoshow.autotrader.ca\/?p=13361"},"modified":"2010-04-02T04:00:39","modified_gmt":"2010-04-02T08:00:39","slug":"2010-honda-ridgeline-ex-l-navi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/498682","title":{"rendered":"2010 Honda Ridgeline EX-L Navi"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ready To Haul <\/strong>
\nAlexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The 2010 Honda Ridgeline EX-L Navi and I have a like\/dislike kind of relationship. Over the years, I\u2019ve driven a few of the Japanese automaker\u2019s signature trucks and, well, I like its configuration and utility, but I\u2019m not the biggest fan of its steering. Traditionally, I like a truck whose steering wheel is easier to turn and, for lack of a more technical term, its rather stiff. This, I think, has been my biggest hurdle in my conversion toward loving this vehicle.<\/p>\n

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2010 Honda Ridgeline EX-L Navi<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

But as I get older, I\u2019m noticing the things that bothered me a few years ago don\u2019t bother me as much now. Or the qualities I disliked about some vehicles now pull my heartstrings. This time around, my experience with the Ridgeline was a lot more pleasant. I am a huge truck lover, but never seemed to jive with this pickup because of the stiffer steering. Perhaps all the trips to the gym have finally paid off! It didn\u2019t seem as bothersome to me as much anymore, and while I\u2019m still not entirely converted I\u2019m on the right path.<\/p>\n

It almost seems a little odd for me to have this gripe because the Ridgeline itself is a great truck. I quite enjoy its front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension, whether I\u2019m running around town or cruising on the highway. It\u2019s stable, handles corners well and feels very sturdy. Plus, its integrated closed-box frame with unit-body construction is very safe and ideal for towing. I also don\u2019t mind its unique exterior design that mashes well with its set of 18\u201d aluminum alloy wheels and P245\/60R18 tires. <\/span><\/p>\n

What I think works in favour of the Ridgeline is its SUV-like characteristics. It only comes with the crew cab configuration, which is ideal for anyone who gets the pleasure of sitting in the back. It is comfortable and is definitely bearable, especially if going on an extended drive. It could not only pose as a great family vehicle, but a great work vehicle as well. And as Hannah Montana would say, it is \u201cthe best of both worlds!\u201d I love her.<\/p>\n

Unlike most top-of-the-line Honda interiors, the Ridgeline\u2019s centre stack wasn\u2019t cluttered with buttons. The design is easy-to-follow and very straightforward. The white and red backlit gauges gave the all-black dash a nice contrast in colour. Plus the presence of the navigation system added even more colour to a potentially drab interior. One thing I remember from previous Ridgeline test drives is that the space between the centre stack and the centre console is an ideal area to place my handbag, especially when someone is sitting shotgun. The centre console also proved to be very useful. Although it isn\u2019t shaped like the traditional console, it\u2019s very functional and stored my nick-knacks just perfectly.<\/p>\n

Another feature I thought was pretty cool was the Ridgeline\u2019s \u201ctrunk.\u201d It\u2019s a lockable compartment located beneath the bed. It is also the same area where the spare tire is stored. There\u2019s a decent amount of space where tools, camping equipment or what have you can be securely placed. There is, however, a slight disadvantage to this configuration especially if this truck is actually being used for hauling purposes. For example, if the bed is loaded with, lets say mulch or gravel, chances are, all the contents would need to be emptied in order to access the compartment where the spare tire is located. That could pose a significant problem in the event of a flat. Not only would it be difficult and time consumer to do, but most major freeways would not allow you to shovel mulch or gravel onto the shoulder or median. If the bed were loaded with a heavy machine, such as a Honda Quad (which the Ridgeline\u2019s bed is tailored to fit perfectly!) it would most likely have to be unloaded and loaded on to gain access to the storage bin. In general, this will most likely not be an issue, it\u2019s just something to consider.<\/p>\n

Although I didn\u2019t haul around a quad (even though I would have loved to because that would mean I own one), it sure felt like I did when it came to fuel consumption. Thanks to the powerful and very capable 3.5L, 24-valve, SOHC, VTEC V6 engine, a standard 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control and a curb weight of 2,070 kilos (4,564 lbs), this puppy sucked back the fuel. It uses an estimated 14.1L\/100km in the city and 9.8L\/100km on the highway. And when most of my driving is done in the city, I definitely felt it at the pump. Then again, it does have Honda\u2019s Variable Torque Management 4-wheel drive system (VTM-4)\u00a0and a towing capacity of 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs), 250 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, so I guess all of the power comes as a price.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not only the fuel consumption that can cost you quite a bit of green, but also the Ridgeline\u2019s price tag. The fully loaded EX-L Navi has an MSRP of $45,280 (including the $1,590 Freight & PDI charge). Without all the goodies the base model has an MSRP of the $36,580 (including the same Freight & PDI).<\/p>\n

I\u2019m glad I\u2019m starting to warm up more to Honda\u2019s Ridgeline. It is indeed a functional truck with all the goods of an SUV. That\u2019s a great combination in my books.<\/p>\n

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Ready To Haul Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press The 2010 Honda Ridgeline EX-L Navi and I have a like\/dislike kind of relationship. Over the years, I\u2019ve driven a few of the Japanese automaker\u2019s signature trucks and, well, I like its configuration and utility, but I\u2019m not the biggest fan of its steering. Traditionally, I like […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6383,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-498682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/498682","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6383"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=498682"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/498682\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=498682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=498682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=498682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}