Truck Buyers The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is The Truck You Need

[killramos]

I am not telling you what kind of car to drive.

I am saying hating on 1/4 tons, or Tacomas for that matter, because they aren't as good as capable as your HD rated truck, capability that perhaps the majority of Tacoma owners ( let alone HD truck owners ) don't need or want, is stupid and you are acting like a complete douche bag.

I have a *35i over a *28i because i wanted the greater performance. That doesn't mean i make fun of people who have a 28i or call them useless if someone makes a different decision I do.

I made the reliability comments specifically targetting HiTemp's Dmax. Which i think most would say is far less reliable, and expensive for that matter, than a Tacoma.

[01RedDX]

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[b_t]

Originally posted by dirtsniffer
What sort of economy do you get?

my truck gets better real-world numbers than ANY fullsized truck's rated EPA numbers, except for the F150 with the tiniest motor and 2WD... and comparing those EPA numbers to road tests and my personal experience, they are off pretty much 10-15% right across the board.

and I drive my truck hard. I try not to but the truck is too fun to drive on account of the 6 speed manual & great heel-toe pedals. one feature no fullsize has ever had, or ever will have. I would guess if I drove a domestic this way I'd get 10mpg or less but I still eke out 17 or so in 4WD winter driving

and this is my old ass '07 with an ancient V6 in it compared to brand new trucks. the Ridgeline with its actually modern motor and 9 speed will absolutely crush any fullsize and still haul 99% of a city dweller's typical loads

[JRSC00LUDE]

Originally posted by b_t
my truck gets better real-world numbers than ANY fullsized truck's rated EPA numbers, except for the F150 with the tiniest motor and 2WD... and comparing those EPA numbers to road tests and my personal experience, they are off pretty much 10-15% right across the board.

I've tracked 20,658 km in the past year on my Tacoma with Fuelly and I've averaged 14.6L/100km with 43% of those KM being City driving. Not great but, not bad. Best highway trip was out to BC at 11.6. I am pretty sure my Ridgeline did a bit better but not much.

Personally I liked the idea of a Ridgeline from the utility aspect, I just hated that you couldn't take it offroad if you wanted to with any kind of real confidence. And it was ugly as fuck. That's why I have a Tacoma now, it'll go where I need it too the once in a blue moon that it has to and it's NOT full size. I haul bikes/dirtbike and snow/hockey gear. I might tow a 14 or 16' aluminum fishing boat. That's it.

I still like the idea of the new Ridgeline and the versatility but I could not/would not drive that ugly thing.

I'm almost shocked that they made it so pathetic. Except I look at every other grandpa car they've designed since 2001 and then I'm not anymore.

[dirtsniffer]

I've only had my silverado 5,000 km but I have averaged 13.4 l/100 km using Fuelio. 75% city. and it is still new so economy will likely improver over the next 5000 km. Best I've done is 10 L/100km on a trip to Drayton, using cruise at 120-130.

[94boosted]

Originally posted by sputnik


1600 lbs for the 2017 Ridgeline.

http://indianautosblog.com/2016/01/2...nveiled-210886

As much as I don't like this thing I'll be the first to admit that a 1600lb payload capacity is pretty impressive.

Originally posted by dirtsniffer
I've only had my silverado 5,000 km but I have averaged 13.4 l/100 km using Fuelio. 75% city. and it is still new so economy will likely improver over the next 5000 km. Best I've done is 10 L/100km on a trip to Drayton, using cruise at 120-130.

JRSC00LUDE I was going to say 14.6L/100km combined in a Tacoma doesn't seem that good. I'm getting 15.5L/100km in my Sierra all city driving.

[JRSC00LUDE]

Originally posted by 94boosted
JRSC00LUDE I was going to say 14.6L/100km combined in a Tacoma doesn't seem that good. I'm getting 15.5L/100km in my Sierra all city driving.

It isn't, it's bad.

When my buddy and I go to the lake I use more fuel than him, he's got a hemi Ram.

[b_t]

14.6 combined seems very low to me

my last tank was 14.4 L/100km all city 4WD driving, warming the truck up in the cold. but my truck is just an extended cab, not a double. and iirc the newer Tacomas are heavier as well

but damn dude something's wrong with your truck. check the hubs, my mileage drops pretty significantly any time one of them starts wearing out

[JRSC00LUDE]

Originally posted by b_t
14.6 combined seems very low to me

my last tank was 14.4 L/100km all city 4WD driving, warming the truck up in the cold. but my truck is just an extended cab, not a double. and iirc the newer Tacomas are heavier as well

but damn dude something's wrong with your truck. check the hubs, my mileage drops pretty significantly any time one of them starts wearing out

It's a 2015 double cab, that's been the mileage since new.

[94boosted]

Originally posted by JRSC00LUDE


It isn't, it's bad.

When my buddy and I go to the lake I use more fuel than him, he's got a hemi Ram.

Ouch man

[rizfarmer]

Originally posted by dirtsniffer


How are the two not related?
Are they both trucks? yes
Are they in the same price category? yes
Why wouldn't you compare the two?

I don't see how you can possibly say that the Honda is superior in every other way. The vehicle is not even out yet.
Power?
Interior space?
Styling?
features?
4wd performance?


There is a reason that full size trucks outsell midsize 10 to 1.

Why wouldn't you compare the two?

Because one is a FWD unibody pilot/odyssey/crv with a box that would be the most pathetic 5th wheel hauling off-road 4x4 machine ever? Oh wait, that's not what it's intended for.

get past the "why would I buy this p.o.s. over a half ton attitude" because in that mindset you would never choose the Ridgeline nor was it intended for you

[Aleks]

For those calling the Ridgeline ugly and Tacoma good looking.

You think this looks better? Or is it just because it's higher up off the ground.

Originally posted by killramos


ftfy

No idea why someone wouldnt buy a tacoma over it

Guessing here based on driving previous gens and these press releases:

Ridgeline will have,
Better:
fuel econ
ride quality
power
interior quality
interior space

About the same:
payload
towing
reliability
price

Worse:
No Manual
Offroad Capability
Bed is 8" shorter compared to Auto Tacoma
Non manly looks (responses here)
resale value

[speedog]

Originally posted by rizfarmer

This car is pretty compelling to those who understand what it is, and what it is not

Probably the best statement made in this thread.

It's kind of like the mini-van argument that's gets regularly beat to death in these forums, most people who are anti this type or anti that of vehicle usually have pretty good sized blinders on.

[speedog]

Originally posted by rizfarmer

This car is pretty compelling to those who understand what it is, and what it is not

Probably the best statement made in this thread.

It's kind of like the mini-van argument that's gets regularly beat to death in these forums, most people who are anti this type or anti that of vehicle usually have pretty good sized blinders on.

[schocker]

If I needed to do hauling once and a while and wanted something smaller and reliable this is probably what I would get

[CLiVE]

I had a ridgeline for 4 yrs, and now have a F150.

The ridgeline is a great "gateway truck". You will figure out quickly that you either need a truck, or you don't. Your next vehicle will then be more truck, or back to an SUV.

The ridgeline was nice enough to drive albeit underpowered. It was enough truck most of the time (until it wasn't). Thing is, even the smaller jobs that the ridgeline could do, are so much easier now with the F150. I find the F150 just as easy to drive in the city, and easier to park than the ridgeline (F150 has better visibility, sensors, cameras, etc.)

Plus my F150 gets better fuel mileage than my ridgeline ever did. Hope this next gen ridge is an improvement.

[blubs]

We had a Ridgeline for a number of years, and honestly was one of the more useful truck we ever had. Don't get me wrong its not going to out tow 1/2 tons, but believe me that truck got used for more ski trips then you could imagine. Having the locked underbed storage was awesome, when camping we used to put all of our generators, chainsaws etc all under it and never worry about things getting stolen. And was a pretty sweet way to get alcohol past McLean Creek fish cops on May long weekends. Put lots of dirt bikes in the box of that thing too.

Again do I think its the best truck for everyone here? Not a chance, but it was one of the few pickup trucks that my mother would drive at the time which was more important then anything. In all the years we had it we never had an single thing go wrong with it either.

Just designed very different then most people here have a use for, so yes, I can see where they are marketing it towards. And for those that say it can't tow anything..... And yes, sometimes these were close to/more its capacity.





Towing the John Deere 950.



Heavy load of solid fir wood from an old building downtown



Towing the old Allis back from Sask with a 72" blower on the rear.

[Sykes]

I'm probably the guy that the Ridgeline is marketed to:

- 34 years old, married
- 3 kids (5, 3, and 5-months),
- homeowner of a home that needs work and renos (we live in a sweet century home @ 109 years)
- Car guy that does the majority of work on his vehicles (daily & project)

The Ridgeline ticks all the boxes I'm looking for in a daily driver because:

- I can comfortably install 3 carseats in the back to haul my kids
- It's comfortable, which means my wife can ride in it without getting a sore back (she has scoliosis which amplifies this issue)
- It's got AWD (bonus points for torque vectoring) which is something I want, especially for navigating the winters here in southern MB.
- It has a bed to haul car parts, engines, Home Depot, furniture, etc.
- In-bed trunk is super useful

For a long while, I've been contemplating getting a Subaru of some sort simply for the added peace of mind of a solid AWD system when driving my daughter to school (highway commute), but I don't feel like it's a good enough reason to justify the purchase (current car is manual FWD on winter tires and handles things like a champ). We're also looking at replacing our CRV with a van, but then we'd lose the height and AWD that the CRV offers. And lastly, I'd like a truck, except that I don't want to commit to full-blown truck ownership, because it's a truck (does that make sense?)

So it looks like the Ridgeline is the perfect fusion of all 3 of these things for me. I will for sure be taking a hard look at it when the time comes to pull the trigger on the van.

[dirtsniffer]

sienna can come in awd FYI

[Disoblige]

Hahaha, love the article. Most of it is true.

http://jalopnik.com/if-the-honda-rid...k-b-1752719068

And this brings us back to the problem with the Ridgeline. It seems comfortable. It looks good. It has a roomy interior. It has a powerful V6. It has a large bed that beats most competitors. But is that enough for truck owners? Hell no! Most pickup owners will look at the Ridgeline and laugh, as they cruise around in their big, manly, full-size, V8-powered trucks, getting 12 miles per gallon because occasionally they have to carry a chair.