Honda decided to update the 2017 Ridgeline with a car-style unibody structure and independent rear suspension, for a smooth and controlled ride.

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline was a top performer in the small but competitive midsize pickup truck segment. The car comes with a powerful base engine, it's comfortable, and it has a spacious interior.

Honda decided to update the 2017 Ridgeline with a car-style unibody structure and independent rear suspension for a smooth and controlled ride.

Ridgeline, according to critics, provides unmatched levels of ride smoothness, handling sophistication, and overall comfort. Some compare the vehicle to SUVs since it is so excellent. It has an elegant interior that pulls the majority of its features and technology from the highly regarded Honda Pilot SUV.

When compared to some of its competitors, the Ridgeline is no match for an F-150, Ram, or Sierra in terms of ultimate towing and payload capability, but it is a convincing competitor for the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.

It is much more composed and user-friendly than some pickups in its class, and likely much more fuel efficient.

Let's find out why the Honda Ridgeline was so popular in 2017.

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The Ridgeline has a 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline's V6 engine is smooth, making it seem easy around town. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds, which is the fastest in the midsize pickup category.

The brakes are reassuringly solid in everyday usage. It also features precise steering that provides a good feeling of the road, and the steering reaction feels responsive without being too abrupt, allowing for pleasant, car-like driving.

When loaded, the Ridgeline is capable of keeping control, but when it's not loaded, the Ridgeline drives like a real car. The suspension is a reinforced and reworked version of the Honda Pilot, and so is its torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Ridgeline's dual-action dampers manage small and large bumps effectively, giving it a ride quality that's even better than the Pilot.

The Ridgeline can tow 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive, but front-drive vehicles can only pull 3,500 pounds.

One cannot compare the Ridgeline's ride comfort to the other pickups; its crossover SUV underpinnings give it a far more settled feel. Because it's the only pickup in its class with four-wheel independent suspension, the Ridgeline rides significantly smoother and can handle a wider range of terrain than its competitors.

The front seats provide long-distance comfort, and they're wide enough to fit bigger people, and effective bolsters keep individuals with smaller frames from sliding about. The back seats are also at a comfortable angle.

Wind and engine noise are both at an impressively low level. It has triple-sealed doors that keep road noise out. As a result, the Ridgeline is quieter than its rivals.

Except for the base-model RT, all models include tri-zone automatic temperature control. Airflow is easily directed via large front vents, and there are also air-conditioning vents in the rear. The controls are intuitive and simple to use. Heated leather seats are standard on RTL and above model levels.

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The Ridgeline received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS in 2017, and federal testers awarded it five stars overall. A multi-angle rearview camera, Bluetooth, trailer-sway assist, and hill-climb assist are included on all Ridgeline models.

If you want all the latest features, get the RTL-E. This way, you get adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, parking sensors, as well as blind-spot monitors.

It comes with a nice 8-inch touchscreen and a basic audio system with knobs and is surprisingly simple for infotainment. All models come with Bluetooth audio and phone connection, a USB connector for an iPod, and an auxiliary jack. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is available on RTL-T trims and above, as well as a second USB input in the front and two charge-only USB sockets in the backseat.

The Honda Ridgeline is one of the most appealing pickup truck options available today.

Critics praised the revived Ridgeline for its car-like riding qualities. It also received bonus marks for its fuel economy. And received an average predicted reliability score from Consumer Reports.

U.S. News Cars ranked the 2017 Honda Ridgeline 1st within the 2017 Compact Pickup Trucks category. The site also gave the Honda Ridgeline a score of 8.9 out of 10, which is based on their research and data.

Marcus is a car enthusiast who loves writing about them. He travels frequently and always seeks out the best driving roads to really test a car's limits. His favorite cars are anything with a manual transmission, and he's been known to spend hours just shifting through all the gears.