A Truck We Can Live With; Ridgeline cruises through everyday chores.(News)(Product/service evaluation)

Byline: BOB GRITZINGER

Here at AutoWeek, we like to think we're not typical truck people. Sure, plenty of us haul stuff, tow stuff and generally need utility from our vehicles from time to time. But we usually hope a performance hatchback or wagon is as far as we'll have to go to get the capacity we need.

In a roundabout way that must explain why our long-term 2006 Honda Ridgeline RTS is striking such a sweet chord with the staff at the six-month mark. It's a truck we can live with-one that handles our chores without being a chore to handle. The Ridgeline gives us what most people probably want in a truck or sport/utility vehicle: solid utility and a commanding driving position without sacrificing fuel economy, ride and overall driveability.

"The ride is so smooth that I often forget I'm driving a truck because it feels like a car,'' said one staffer.

Said another: "The Ridgeline felt so stable and easy to drive. It's easier to park than some midsize cars I've driven recently.''

We realize comments like this are the result of the fact that deep down in the chassis, the Ridgeline really is a car at heart-built on the same Honda Pilot/Acura MDX platform that derives some of its basic bits from an Accord. But it's also because Honda engineers tuned out ride harshness, tuned in sporty handling and bolted a super-smooth V6 under the hood.

That last one, the V6 (transverse-mounted, no less), might be enough to send most truck buyers to the Chevy, Ford or Dodge lot. But rest assured that we've yet to find a load or towing job the Ridgeline can't handle. Admittedly, we haven't towed anything huge, but an average speedboat or a load of plywood hasn't slowed our Ridgeline down.