• Honda says the Ridgeline is built upon a closed-box, unit-body frame that “combines the strength characteristics of a ladder frame with the packaging and handling advantages of a unit-body design.”

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline’s unit-body construction and independent rear suspension make room to add an 8.5 cubic foot, weathertight trunk that can be locked for extra security.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline is a half-ton pickup, rated for 1,100 pounds of payload. It was designed, however, to handle up to 1,550 pounds of payload.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline’s 5-foot steel reinforced composite cargo bed is designed to handle 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood resting flat between the rear wheel housings.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds with its standard class III tow hitch.

• Honda says the Ridgeline is equipped with a heavy-duty braking system comprised of discs at each corner, enhanced with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist technologies.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline comes with a dual-action tailgate than can swing down like other pickups or swing open from the side like old-school station wagons.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline’s tailgate is rated to support 300 pounds.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline is equipped with four cargo area lights and eight tie-down hooks.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline’s rear load floor is completely flat for ease of use.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline is equipped with heated wiper zones to minimize ice scraping in the winter.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline has 8.2 inches of ground clearance.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline possesses approach, rampover, and departure angles of 24.5 degrees, 21 degrees, and 22 degrees, respectively.

• Located under the 2009 Honda Ridgeline’s rear seat is a 2.6 cubic-foot storage bin that the company says will accommodate a golf bag, and a plastic track that helps secure a full-size mountain bike with the front wheel removed.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline RTL can be equipped with a navigation system that includes Zagat Survey restaurant ratings, and which offers an off-road tracking function that can help the driver backtrack when lost in uncharted territory.

• According to Honda, 70 percent of the parts used in the construction of the 2009 Honda Ridgeline are sourced from the U.S. and Canada. Only 15 percent of the parts come from Japan, among them the transmission.

• The 2009 Honda Ridgeline that we reviewed was built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada.