Initial Quality – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study, the Honda Ridgeline received an Overall Initial Quality Power Circle Rating of 3 out of 5.

Performance and Design – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL), the Honda Ridgeline was the top-ranked midsize pickup, receiving an Overall Performance and Design Power Circle Rating of 5 out of 5.

Vehicle Dependability – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study, the 2006 Honda Ridgeline received a Vehicle Dependability Power Circle Rating of 4 out of 5.

Fuel Economy – The 2009 Honda Ridgeline is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that drives all four wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline is rated to get 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway by the EPA. Our review vehicle, a Ridgeline RTL with navigation, averaged 15.7 mpg in mixed driving. Combined with the Ridgeline’s standard 22-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 345-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Safety – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2009 Honda Ridgeline gets 5-star crash-test ratings for frontal and side impact occupant protection, and a 4-star rollover rating.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls the Honda Ridgeline a “Top Safety Pick” because it has standard stability control and received a “Good” rating in the offset frontal impact crash test, a “Good” rating in the side impact crash test, and a “Good” rating for rear impact protection.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2009 Honda Ridgeline consumes 20.1 barrels of petroleum annually, with a resulting carbon footprint rating if 10.8 tons of air pollution per year. The Honda Ridgeline’s national air pollution score is a 6 out of 10, and in California and New England the air pollution score is a 7 out of 10.