2017 Honda Ridgeline Teased Ahead of 2016 Detroit Auto Show Debut

TORRANCE, California – Honda released a single teaser photo on Friday of its all-new 2017 Honda Ridgeline midsize pickup truck that will make its world debut January 11 at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show.

Based on the teaser image, it would seem that truck buyers who prefer a more traditional look should be pleased with the Ridgeline’s redesign. The previous model blended the characteristics of a pickup and a unibody crossover.

“We developed this new Honda Ridgeline to offer something new and fundamentally better suited to the way many buyers use their truck,” said Jeff Conrad, Honda senior vice president and general manager, in a statement. “Ridgeline will deliver everything you’d expect in a Honda, from incredible packaging and fuel-efficiency, to top safety technologies and innovative, segment-first features.

The 2017 Ridgeline, which targets the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma, is expected to arrive at Honda dealerships in the first half of next year. Pricing and technical specifications have not been announced.

Honda said the Ridgeline will be built at its auto and engine plant in Lincoln, Alabama, alongside the Honda Pilot, Honda Odyssey and Acura MDX. As before, the new Ridgeline is believed to share the same carlike unibody platform as those models.

The Ridgeline will make its TV debut during the third quarter of the 2016 Super Bowl, as the Japanese automaker returns to the big game after a year hiatus.

Edmunds says: There is still much to learn about the 2017 Honda Ridgeline. Yes, it seems more traditional-looking, but how much so, and will its unibody platform deliver the capability truck buyers expect? We’ll find out more in Detroit.