cars news 10: 2017 Honda Ridgeline Tops Out at 19/26 MPG

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline enters its second generation with a healthy boost in fuel economy. The truck tops out at 19/26 mpg city/highway when paired with front-wheel drive, according to new figures published by the Environmental Protection Agency.

All-wheel-drive Ridgelines are rated just a bit lower at 18/25 mpg. That’s good for a combined 21 mpg, or 1 mpg below the front-drive’s combined mpg. With its new ratings, the Ridgeline is about on par with the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, which gets 19/24 mpg city/highway when paired with rear-wheel drive, a V-6, and an automatic transmission.

Like the previous Ridgeline, the 2017 model uses a 3.5-liter V-6. However, the new engine is expected to share a similar 28o-hp rating as the new Pilot, which offers much of the same running gear. The 2017 Ridgeline will make use of a six-speed automatic instead of the previous model’s five-speed auto. It will also feature a new variable-torque management all-wheel-drive system with rear torque vectoring and intelligent traction management for tackling snow, mud, sand, or other rough roads.

Honda skipped the 2015 and 2016 model years for the Ridgeline. The 2014 model was rated at 15/21 mpg city/highway for a combined 17 mpg. Front-wheel drive was not an option.

The 2017 Ridgeline goes on sale this spring.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov