Thanks partially to its low-for-a-pickup mass, the Ridgeline handles admirably, given its size. I found the vehicle

I found the vehicle very easy to maneuver in and out of traffic, which makes it quite a relaxing pickup for city driving or daily commuting. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

very easy to maneuver in and out of traffic, which makes it quite a relaxing pickup for city driving or daily commuting. Its girth never really became apparent until squeezing it into my garage, which was made slightly more challenging by the Ridgeline's restrictive rearward visibility.

With its comfortable seating for five, the Ridgeline is an alternative for families that may be considering the purchase of an SUV. With that in mind, Honda engineered a tremendous amount of safety into its new pickup, beginning with dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags. Unlike many competitors, standard equipment airbags don't end there; the Ridgeline also receives front side-airbags with passenger-side occupant detection. Completing the safety net of standard equipment airbags are side-curtains with rollover sensing. Slightly

The Ridgeline's payload capacity will allow up to 705 kg (1,558 lb) of it onboard and a further 2,268 kg (5,000 lb) of it can be safely towed. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian auto Press)

ahead of the curve in terms of mandatory safety equipment, the Ridgeline also comes equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System as standard gear.

And if its gear that buyers intend to haul, the Ridgeline's payload capacity will allow up to 705 kg (1,558 lb) of it onboard. A further 2,268 kg (5,000 lb) of it can be safely towed by the Ridgeline, which is pre-wired with 4- and 7-pin electrical connectors. The Ridgeline's flat cargo box is coated with a composite material and is unimpeded by large fender wells. In fact, a 4x8-foot sheet of plywood will lay flat, provided the tailgate is opened in the drop down position. Tie-down hooks are set into the cargo floor to keep things well fastened when the tailgate is open.