While the 2008 Honda Ridgeline is a half-ton pickup that has ample cargo space, it certainly is lacking in overall exterior design. The short bed's high side-walls make the truck appear incomplete, as if in the process of building an SUV the manufacturer was stopped by unforeseen forces. However, the pickup does raise the bar in total storage, cabin space, comfort, and available accessories.

Honda could easily claim to have the roomiest truck on the road. The Ridgeline features generous seating for up to five passengers. Not only that; the rear seat lifts and folds to provide further cargo space. The rear floor is flat, unlike usual rear cabin truck seating. The cargo room is expanded into the bed as well. Honda has developed an innovative way to provide a trunk in their pickup. Because the bed is raised and has higher side walls, they have been able to create a hidden trunk in the bed floor. The trunk is weather-proof and can hold both a spare tire and other mid-size cargo. Another novel design is the dual-action tailgate that opens both as a normal tailgate and a side-hinged door. However, the bed is wanting in overall space with only 5 feet by roughly 6.5 feet expanse. While in comparison to comparable pickups that may seem to be more than enough, the Ridgeline simply is not following through with its claim to have massive cargo room.

Honda should change the 2008 Ridgeline's caption to "the truck that lives up to its name." Though it can be beautiful, even enlightening to see a sunrise crest on a mountain ridgeline, the idea does not follow when building a half-ton pickup truck. The sloping bed walls are bizarre and cause a disconnect from the front of the trunk and the rear. It appears that Honda has taken two completely different vehicles and welded them together in a failed attempt to be contemporary and trendy.

Even if the Ridgeline falls short aesthetically, it compensates for the exterior with substantial towing capacity, a powerful engine, and an extensive list of safety features. The 2008 can pull a load up to 5,000 pounds. The 3.5L VTEC V6 engine, while seemingly small for a pickup of its magnitude generates 247 horsepower. Safety features abound in the 2008 model. Airbags protect both front and rear passengers, with an added canopy system for further interior fortification. A tire pressure monitoring system, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and an emergency trunk opener round out the list.

A sizable list of added accessories (trailer hitch package, rearview camera, roof racks, etc.) can enhance the truck's down road badging, but simply cannot change the already peculiar exterior. Ultimately, if a buyer does not mind driving one of the most bizarre-looking trucks on the road, he could quite possibly find what he's after in the 2008 Honda Ridgeline.