The stiffness of the body and chassis also contribute to crisp, sure handling over twisty two-lane roads. The combination of all-wheel-drive and vehicle stability electronics allows a driver to attack curves in spirited fashion with less worry about getting a wheel wrong. Ridgeline feels lighter on its feet than the Ford Explorer Sport Trac and Chevy Colorado.

The steering is surprisingly heavy, but we like it. It's more responsive and communicative than that in most other trucks. This pickup is quieter and more refined than all of the major competition, which we drove on the same day over the same course, without a lot of jarring inputs reaching the driver's seat or palms. Independent suspension front and rear is a first in the pickup market and the ride over choppy surfaces and even off-road is excellent. The back end is less likely to feel like it's losing grip when bouncing over potholes and washboard surfaces.

Its drivetrain, or the combination of engine, transmission and all-wheel drive, is impressively smooth and quiet. With four doors, five seats, AWD and independent front and rear suspension, the Ridgeline is a relatively heavy vehicle, but the 247-hp V6 engine is generally up to the task. Its power comes low enough in the revs to be useful in a loaded truck, and it's flexible overall, without the roughness at high rpm that you'll notice in some truck engines. Unladen, with only the driver inside, we never encountered an instance when we wished for more power. Yet one wonders if that might change when Ridgeline is loaded to its full 1550-pound payload or pulling the allowed 5000 pounds.

The five-speed automatic works very well with the engine. It shifts up smoothly, and will run the engine to its redline during full-throttle acceleration. On occasion it was a tad slow to shift down two or three gears, but overall its performance did not prevent us from enjoying the drive.

The brakes were sure stoppers, and the ABS works unobtrusively. We haven't tried them with a heavy load or a trailer, however.

Overall, Ridgeline impresses with its tightness and smoothness. It's more maneuverable, more enjoyable to drive, than any full-size pickup.