Honda puts five multi-use vehicles in the 2006 lineup of wagons and each differs in size, organization and purpose. The collection includes the mid-size Pilot sport-utility vehicle, CR-V compact crossover wagon, boxy Element the cargo-hauling van and Odyssey, a minivan with room for eight passengers. Then make room for Ridgeline -- Honda' s first pickup that's described as a SUT, or sport-utility truck.

Ridgeline brings attributes of a powerful full-size pickup as well as a high-hiked SUV. It's substantial in size with a four-door cab and a rear truck bed designed to carry outdoor sports equipment. The cabin holds two rows of seats for five beneath an optional moonroof. Honda builds Ridgeline on a unibody structure also used for Pilot the SUV. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) system aboard every Ridgeline senses when four-wheel traction may be needed and shifts engine torque electronically from front to rear wheels.

A dashboard locking switch allows the driver to hold torque on rear wheels to work through a difficult traction situation at slow speed. Ridgeline also provides plenty of muscle, thanks to the aluminum-block 3.5-liter V6, which produces 255 hp through an electronic five-speed automatic transaxle. Honda casts Ridgeline the SUT in three trims -- well-equipped RT, full-featured RTS and luxurious RTL with leather upholstery.

Honda's mid-size SUV scores an update for 2006 with many new standard features aboard plus the option of a two-wheel-drive (2WD) version with the V6 engine using Honda's variable cylinder management (VCM) to trim the number of cylinders firing when a power boost is not required. Other Pilot issues carry a smart AWD system that's permanently engaged and directing the engine's muscle to all wheels to maintain traction. Standard powertrain is Honda's 3.5-liter V6 with output this year of 244 hp. Safety equipment increases with all trims stocking frontal and side air bags this year plus curtain-style air bags for three rows of seats. Pilot's cabin capacity extends to eight in an arrangement with twin buckets on the first row, a bench for three on the second row and a third bench for three children. Sporty new wheels mount on LX and EX trims.

Honda's cubistic wagon brings a wash-and-wear cabin with four seats plus a powerful stereo system. Check out the flat-sided double doors: Front one's hinged up front but the rear door has hinges on the tail side and both doors open wide in pillar-less fashion to stuff gear aboard. Inside, the flat floor is covered by a urethane-coated surface that sweeps out fast and four flip-and-fold seats in the cabin are designed for quick cleaning.

For locomotion, Element stocks a twin-cam 2.4-liter in-line-four engine that reaches 156 hp and mates with the standard manual five-speed or optional automatic four-speed transaxle for FWD traction or a version with Honda's intelligent AWD system. This year there's a new top trim on tap -- the Element EX-P with premium gear from the EX edition plus body-colored painted side panels and exclusive paints like Tango Red Pearl or Tangerine Metallic.

The name explains Honda's compact SUV -- Comfortable Runabout Vehicle. It's a five-door crossover wagon with the cabin containing front buckets and a folding bench in back for three. There are four trims this year. Entry point comes with a front-wheel-drive (FWD) LX that piles on convenience features. LX trim also works with AWD, as does deluxe EX. Then SE (Special Edition) has heated leather seats and door mirrors, leather on the steering wheel, and a hard cover for the spare tire on the tailgate. All CR-Vs pull from the same engine, a 2.4-liter in-line-four that in 2006 musters 156 hp. A five-speed automatic is standard, but a manual five-speed is available with AWD. Safety items on all models include an anti-lock brake system (ABS), VSA and side air bags. New body colors also emerge, like Royal Blue Pearl and Alabaster Silver Metallic.

Honda's minivan, redesigned in 2005 with new structure and powertrain plus substantial on-board safety gear, adds equipment options for 2006 such as a DVD video entertainment system for the deluxe Touring edition. Odyssey carries responsive handling systems and a powerful V6 engine, which this year nets 244 hp. The top two trim grades apply Honda's VCM to decrease cylinder firing to conserve on fuel. Safety devices on Odyssey extend to a traction control system (TCS) and vehicle stability assist (VSA), plus curtain-style air bags above all outboard seats. Honda offers Odyssey in four trims -- LX, EX, EX Leather and top Touring. Inside, there are up to three tiers of seats in place with options for folding or removing the second-row seats and a 'Magic Seat' in back that folds into the floor. Slate Green is one of several new shades of body paint for Odyssey. (...BACK)