Think of it: the truck that does everything is selling for less than $28,000. You don’t need the leather. Forget a navigation system – go buy a map. And finding a better deal at another dealer’s lot may be quite a challenge. While Honda does not consider the Ridgeline to be a competitor against big boys like the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and Nissan Titan, if you’re in the midsize truck market, you will be hard-pressed to find a better combination of driveability, utility and off road capability. That spells value, and to that the Ridgeline adds innovative new features such as a trunk under the bed.. With a decent tow rating and a ride that is more car-smooth than truck-rough, the Ridgeline will compete with the likes of the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Explorer SportTrac, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma. It will also compete against larger lifestyle trucks such as the Chevrolet Avalanche, and may well compete with smaller SUVs, too, like the Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty and Nissan Xterra.

For now, it will do its competing with three choices, priced at $27,700 for the RT up to $31,490 for the top line RTL. The base RT version offers standard equipment such as anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags, driver's and front passenger's side airbags, two-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor and a tire pressure monitoring system. Additional standard features include the 255-horsepower Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC, 3.5-liter V6 engine; five speed automatic transmission; Variable Torque Management four-wheel drive system; air conditioning; tilt steering wheel; power side windows, power sliding rear window and door locks; cruise control; keyless entry; automatic heated wiper zone; six speaker 100-watt audio system with CD player; 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with underseat storage and all-weather floor mats. All models come equipped ready to tow with standard transmission and oil coolers, heavy duty brakes, dual radiator fans, and pre-wiring for four and seven pin trailer hook up.

The 2006 Honda Ridgeline RTS, at $30,075 adds alloy wheels, a seven speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer and six-disc CD changer with steering wheel controls, dual zone automatic climate control and an eight-way power driver's seat. The Ridgeline RTL adds leather seating surfaces, HomeLink remote system, an interior compass in the rearview mirror and heated front seats and an available power moonroof. Models with the power moonroof are equipped with standard satellite radio and are available with the Honda satellite-linked navigation system.