Honda Ridgeline Named 2006 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year

Honda Ridgeline Review

LOS ANGELES--Dec. 20, 2005--MOTOR TREND magazine, the world's automotive authority and part of the PRIMEDIA Consumer Automotive Group, today announced the selection of the Honda Ridgeline as the 2006 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year.

"The Honda Ridgeline has taken the traditional understanding of a truck and completely redefined every aspect," said Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of MOTOR TREND. "The Ridgeline is filled with innovation and clever solutions to everyday issues. As Honda's first foray into truck models in the U.S., the Ridgeline showcases a vehicle built on intelligent technology and impressive durability. This remarkable machine encompasses all necessities a truck should have and demonstrates what MOTOR TREND desires when naming Truck of the Year."

With two full weeks of thudding over concrete, howling around tight curves and bouncing over rocky roadways, MOTOR TREND editors unanimously awarded 2006 Honda Ridgeline to be Truck of the Year. The Honda Ridgeline is a revelation for all trucks, with independent rear line suspension that frees weather tight cargo space in the below bed, four cargo lamps which illuminate the bed's trunk, and a rear gate that opens like a door or swings down. Honda has made it a point to take into account all of the driver's desires.

This year, the editorial staff of MOTOR TREND conducted testing on six new models, searching for the truck that best represents exceptional value, superiority in its class, and the most significant development on the new-truck scene for 2006. This year's field, included vehicles that ranged in price from just over $17,000 to almost $50,000. Only truly new or substantially revised trucks were considered with the condition that they be available for public sale by January 1, 2006.

The 2006 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year competition included the following models: Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram Mega Cab, Honda Ridgeline, Isuzu i350, Lincoln Mark LT, and Mitsubishi Raider.

"The truck market is booming with new designs and new manufacturers entering the category. The diversity continues to grow and brings dynamic, unique vehicles into the marketplace," said MacKenzie. "MOTOR TREND continues to evaluate and analyze vehicles in the automotive industry, in the most effective, impartial way. We are committed to our readers, and recognize the significance and importance these awards are in the automotive industry."

The MOTOR TREND Evaluation Process

Each year, the editorial staff of MOTOR TREND evaluates eligible vehicles based on three key categories: Significance, Superiority, and Value. Significance refers to impact on the market and looks for mastery and innovation in engineering, technology, design, safety and packaging. Superiority levels the playing field and looks for class-leading levels of performance, style and functionality within its specific competitive set--not among all new vehicles. Finally, the all-important Value question asks, "What does this vehicle deliver in relation to what the consumer has to pay to purchase and own it?"

In making the selection, vehicles are taken to task through thousands of miles of on-track and on-street driving, in a wide variety of weather and road conditions to evaluate many factors, including styling and design; fit, finish and materials; engineering and technology; interior; safety; performance; and value. Additional aspects evaluated included handling balance, response, predictability, and power delivery.

The complete report on the 2006 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year testing and selection will be published in the February 2006 issue of MOTOR TREND (on newsstands January 3, 2005) and high-resolution images of the winner are available upon request and at www.MotorTrend.com/media. Multimedia coverage of the testing and selection process will be broadcast on MOTOR TREND Radio, hosted by Bob Long.

About MOTOR TREND

MOTOR TREND, a PRIMEDIA publication, was founded in 1949 and has a circulation of 1.1 million and a total readership of 7.1 million. Internationally recognized as the world's number one automotive authority, MOTOR TREND is one of the leading brands in automotive publishing. The MOTOR TREND brand is comprised of MOTOR TREND Classic, motortrend.com; MOTOR TREND Television; MOTOR TREND Radio; Truck Trend; MOTOR TREND International Auto Shows; MOTOR TREND en Espanol; several international editions including China, Indonesia, Korea; and the renowned MOTOR TREND Car, Sport/Utility and Truck of the Year Awards program.