Added on October 9, 2014  The News Wheel  baby got back , big butt , butt , Honda Ridgeline , next generation , Next-Gen Honda Ridgeline , pickup , pickup truck , redesigned , Ridgeline , Truck

Next-Gen Honda Ridgeline to Lose Big Butt

Honda Caves to Pressure from Automotive Magazines Who Say That Flat Butts are the Thing

Never have the lyrics “But [Jane] Fonda ain’t got a motor in the back of her Honda” seemed more prophetic: Honda’s Ridgeline got back no more. The redesigned, next-gen Honda Ridgeline truck will depart from the distinctive high-walled pickup bed (or, in layman’s terms, big butt) which made the vehicle unique, although not necessarily popular.

Last year, Honda teased the world with a silhouetted photo (above) of the upcoming Ridgeline, which featured a shape more in line with the look of traditional pickup truck. Gone were the original Ridgeline’s extended cab and bulky bed, replaced by the outline of your average small or midsize truck. The effort needed to complete the redesign may explain why, despite the company’s announcement in 2003 that the Ridgeline would be on sale in two years, USA Today is now reporting the vehicle probably won’t hit the market until early 2016.

Honda is most likely mainstreaming the Ridgeline in an effort to appeal to those who prefer trucks with a more conventional rear (AKA, the haters). The Japanese automaker will have its work cut out for it, as the midsize pickup market is heating up with the new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon being aggressively marketed, and a new Toyota Tacoma rumored to be aiming for a late 2015/early 2016 release date, as well.

Despite its status as a midsize truck, the now discontinued Honda Ridgeline was capable of hauling roughly 1,500 pounds of people and cargo, while towing was limited to 5,000 lbs. Also, it had this of this going for it:

As of press time, Sir Mix-a-Lot could not be reached for comment.