Car and Driver Comparison: 2016 Tacoma v. 2016 Colorado

well given the ridgeline is based off their minivan chasis wouldn't doubt it.
I think the ridgeline would appeal more towards the new husband wife, with a kid or two that just bought a house and want to be able to do stuff around the house.

Doesn't seem like a truck that anyone that wants to go 4 wheeling would want, and definitely no use as a work truck, too underpowered for the application.

 

I think Honda calls it their "revised truck platform," which is used for just about everything they have that's not based off the Accord but bigger than the Civic.

 

The first leak shots APPEARED to show a gap between the box and the truck. It's possible they might subframe the crap out of it and make it look like a real truck. Who knows.

 

so then they would appeal to a husband/wife looking for a family vehicle.

cant see them being a comparison with the taco.

 

I rarely see the Ridgeline though. Last time I saw one was at home depot and it looked like it was struggling with only 8 sheets of drywall in the back and a bag of insulation lol.

Might be a reason.

 

Doubt it was struggling. After all it has more payload capacity than a Tacoma.

 

The Chevrolet Colorado looks like the old Uplanders with a little attitude but people still buy it because bowtie. There are a lot of old Ridgelines on the road that have loyal ownership. I'm sure the first year or two of sales will be good on the Ridgeline even if it looks like crap.

BTW, just for some GM comparison:

 

To answer your last question first, I had second thoughts about modular construction when vehicles go to electric drive motors and tenamissions and drive trains become a thing of the past. I have seen some very interesting designs that pretty much throw manufacturers into a realm they have never been making variants. P,ease don't read too much into it.

You just made my case when you said, Toyota just has two frame variations and yet four models. Even the frames are identical except for extensions on shafts, frame members and connectors. Much less engineering into extending a ladder frame.

If I wasn't clear, unibody construction is more limited then body on frame in accepting mods. I did not say you could not do some successfully.

Lastly, I agree with the concept that unibody are are more weight efficient. That is why trucks have been exempt for so long.
They aren't now, but still, there are very few competitive unibody trucks that can compete with frame based in bang for the buck.

I originally said that modular construction is in the future when things like electric drive motors are the norm. The mechanics of forward engines driving front and rear wheels through shafts and a transmission is very limiting. Drive Motors at wheels connected only by cables that also provide braking force and steering by wire unleashes modular construction.

 

Just a heads up, the Ford Explorer did fine on the Jeep proving grounds and on the dunes when Car and Driver decided to play with one. They only broke it when they overheated it from running it in low gear at high RPM all over the desert lol.

 

@BlueT would be proud of the minivan tie in . I see you lurking Mr T.

On a side note, Honda thrives on building a fanbase and then catering to them. The Civic has a captive market, literally. I think they are looking to continue that with the Ridgeline.

 

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2017-honda-ridgeline-25-cars-worth-waiting-for-feature

if thats what it looks like omg its hideous lol.
even the colorado is pretty ugly like @Sterdog said it looks so much like a minivan.

 

He pity's the foo!

 

Which is funny, because the biggest knock on the Tacoma off the bat was "minivan engine" type comments .

Honestly, everything internationally bigger than a car looks like a minivan because they all share parts and aerodynamics.

 

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/honda-ridgeline-sales-figures.html

 

thats true, even the VW amorak looks a lot like the touareg.

Meh I prefer the toyota regardless, has a much better reputation than a honda lol.

 

Hey I keep saying stupid Colorado has V6 from Malibu and Tacoma has Sienna engine.
Both ridiculous. The reasons why I did not buy Ridgeline back in 2006 were exactly the same why I am not buying 2016 Tacoma. To me Toyota is following Ridegline disaster.
And look where designign trucks to be like minivans got them..

 

I have been disappointed with the lack of power out of the newest VTEC implimentations. However, it looks like Honda is hopping on to the turbo band wagon that Ford started up with the new Civic so I'm hoping for some improvements in low end power from Honda soon.

 

Yeah, it seems like everything below the full sized class is slipping backwards. I really hope Ford brings the Ranger to the market with a downsized version of the F150 grill and the Ecoboost engines. That could cause some positive change in the midsized class for sure.

 

ya but a turbo wont give you much low end change because of lag. they would need to put such a small turbo to not have lag, that it wont do any good on the top end.

Everything is geared towards fuel efficiency now. Man the epa needs to stop being so ridiculous and just bring more diesels. Fix efficiency and lack or torque all in one.

 

I really like the Renault Alaskan concept