So again, I was not into trucks in general as my option but since this was in my price range, I decided to check out the Ridgeline.  I also checked out the vehicle since itself and wondered why it was listed so cheap.  Turns out, the vehicle had 190k miles on it and it was sitting there for almost two years.  The owner left the truck at the friend’s home and went overseas for a job that was supposed to take a year but ended up moving there.  The vehicle just sat there for nearly 2 years. This is very bad for any car so you have to be thorough when you check the car.  I brought a mechanic who works on racecars to check it over.  There were some issues but nothing that couldn’t be fixed on a budget.  We did most of the work right there in the driveway such as fluid changes, belt changes, rotor changes, etc.

So other than being such a great deal, why did I pick this truck?  In the industry, this truck is not a very respected one.  In fact, people call it a NART which stands for “not a real truck.”  

• It’s a Honda
  Trucks are notorious for high maintenance.  This is very expected because generally they are treated rougher as a work truck.  Because of this, they design it for such things.  Everything about a truck is heavier, bigger, and is strained far more than say a compact sedan like a Toyota Corolla.  What intrigued me about the Ridgeline was the Honda badge.  Especially in the mid years of the Honda era, they didn’t just put their badge on cars they didn’t backup.  As their first and only truck in the lineup, they made sure it was reliable and worthy of the Honda badge.  I spoke with other Ridgeline owners who have frequently reached over 300k so I knew it was at least capable of such things.
• It is comfortable!
  This truck was built around an SUV.  Honda Pilot to be exact.  So inside is spacious as a Pilot.  It even drives and handles like a Pilot.  So I’d say it does lean more towards an SUV than it does a truck.  This was a huge plus for me because passenger comfort was a barrier to getting a truck for me.  That barrier is removed.  This does have its CON though.  Like a smaller truck bed and independent suspension which limits its truck-expected performance.
• It has tons of storage
  This vehicle has to most storage capacity I have ever seen for its size!  Yes, you can get an 8-foot bed trucks but those are huge, bad handling, limit cab sizes, and uncomfortable. For a car of its size, it has a respectable 5 foot bed with smaller wheel wells.  It comes with a trunk which is unique to this truck only… though as of 2023 there has been other variants.  It was underseat space and a spacious one at that.  And of course, the roof rack for additional space.  I put ladder racks on mine to sport a rooftop tent.  It limits vertical transportation but the tent is worth it for me.  
• Side open tailgate
  I didn’t think much of this at first.  I thought it was a marketing gimmick.  But I used this side-opening tailgate way more than the traditional way.  If you didn’t know, Ridgeline’s tail can open like a normal car door.  This allows me to reach into the back of the truck bed so much easier and access the trunk as well.
• It Performs Well
  Ridgelines are designed around comfort rather than heavy-duty.  So it performs like it.  It has a smooth comfortable powerful ride. But you won’t be zooming by anyone.  Even the V-Tech doesn’t add much to its overall V6 performance.  But all-in-all, it drives like an SUV.  Sometimes you forget you are driving a truck. Which to me a plus but could definitely be a minus for others.
• It Does Plenty of Trucky Things
  Though it is not designed to do full-size truck things, I found it plenty capable! Truck bed size is enough for most situations, the AWD system makes a lot of sense, the VTM-4 Locking system emulates a 4-wheel-drive system, has plenty of power, 8-inch clearance, 5000 pound towing with 1600 pound payload, etc. etc.  None of these specs are the best but they are enough to get most jobs done.

So are there any cons?

Of course!  Nothing is perfect.  The VTM4-lock for example is not a true lock.  So you can still get stuck where a true 4wheel drive will get out of.  Gas mileage is horrid!  My number one complaint!  I get about 14-15 mpg.  With gas prices as they are, feeding this thirsty V6 engine hurts the wallet a lot.  Another thing worth considering is a the lack of accessories.  Because Ridgeline market is small compared to others like the Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma, not enough mods are available for the Gen1.  Gen2 has considerably more.  The unique shape of the Gen1’s bed really gets in the way of most universal accessories.

All-in-all though, this has been the best vehicle I could’ve purchased for my needs.  It is the most versatile vehicle I have ever owned and quite possible ever own.