What year did the Ridgeline body change?
The Honda Ridgeline, a popular mid-size pickup truck, underwent a significant body change in 2017. The Ridgeline's design was refreshed, moving away from its previous unibody construction to a more traditional body-on-frame design.
The Ridgeline's Redesign
The second-generation Honda Ridgeline was introduced in 2017, marking a major shift in the truck's design. The previous model, produced from 2005 to 2014, featured a unibody construction, which combined the body and frame into a single unit. The 2017 redesign moved the Ridgeline to a more conventional body-on-frame design, similar to other mid-size pickup trucks on the market.
This change in the Ridgeline's architecture allowed Honda to give the truck a more rugged and truck-like appearance, with a more pronounced front grille, a taller hood, and a more pronounced beltline. The new design also enabled the Ridgeline to offer improved towing and payload capacities, making it more competitive with other mid-size pickups.
The Impact of the Redesign
The 2017 redesign of the Honda Ridgeline was a significant departure from the previous model, and it had a significant impact on the truck's performance and capabilities. The new body-on-frame design allowed the Ridgeline to tow up to 5,000 pounds, a significant increase from the previous model's 3,500-pound towing capacity.
The redesign also improved the Ridgeline's off-road capabilities, with the addition of an available all-wheel-drive system and increased ground clearance. This made the Ridgeline more appealing to buyers who wanted a mid-size pickup that could handle light off-road duties, in addition to its traditional on-road capabilities.
Conclusion
The 2017 redesign of the Honda Ridgeline marked a significant change in the truck's body and construction, moving it from a unibody design to a more traditional body-on-frame architecture. This change allowed the Ridgeline to offer improved towing and payload capacities, as well as enhanced off-road capabilities, making it a more competitive option in the mid-size pickup truck market.
