The 2017 Honda Ridgeline made its first appearance at the North American International Autoshow in Detroit.

The most important part of a light truck is, of course, the bed – and Honda doesn’t disappoint. The 2017 Ridgeline is 5.4 inches wider and 4 inches longer than the previous generation, making it easier for flat hauling of items such as plywood and drywall. The UV-stabilized scratch-resistant bed also features an in-bed trunk, dual-action tailgate, available 400-watt AC power and the industry’s first in-bed audio system. The dual-action tailgate is hinged both at the bottom and the sides of the truck in order to open down or to the side for easy loading, and the Ridgeline also has eight 350-pound tie down cleats to keep your cargo in place.

Under the 4-door pickup’s hood is a 3.5-litre, direct-injected  i-VTEC V-6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It will also be available for the first time in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, the latter featuring Honda’s Intelligent Terrain Management with Normal, Sand, Snow and Mud modes to cater to all heavy-duty work no matter the road conditions.

To make your ride as smooth as possible, the Ridgeline is based on Honda’s Global Light Truck platform with its next-generation ACE body structure and independent suspension. The truck can carry also a total of five with its 60/40-split and folding second row.

As for safety features, the Ridgeline features Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning as well as Lane Keeping Assist. The Ridgeline will also have a standard multi-angle rearview camera, and the higher trims will be available with either Blind Spot Information System or Honda Lane Watch.

The 2017 Ridgeline will be available for sale in mid-2016.

Source: Honda