What would Honda have to do to Snag Tacoma Buyers

It won't sell like a Tacoma but at least Honda isn't pretending it's some towing off-road beast. It's a mall crawler for soccer moms. Funny thing is it will probably have more power than the Tacoma which is billed as a manly-man truck.

 

Wow you really think it's gonna sell that well? You may be right, but I can't see it selling better than either of the GM Twins.

 

It won't sell more than the GM twins. Not even close.

 

That's my guess too. I could see it possibly competing with the Frontier in terms of placement on the sales totem pole, but that's it, IMO. Time will tell though.

 

From a website:
The composite bed is scratch-resistant and benefits from a dual-action tailgate and a lockable In-Bed Trunk granting secure storage space without affecting the bed’s utility. It now has a fully flat floor and comes with a drain plug to ease the process of cleaning and evacuating water from the trunk. The UV-stabilized bed has eight 350-pound tie down cleats and is available with a 400-watt AC power inverter placed behind an access panel in the right bed wall.

For the first time in the model's existence, the Ridgeline will be available in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations. Power will be provided exclusively by a 3.5-liter V6 engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission that according to Honda will ensure best-in-class acceleration and fuel economy. The AWD system incorporates the company’s Intelligent Terrain Management providing several selectable modes: Normal, Sand, Snow, and Mud.

In the cabin, you’ll find modern touches such as tri-zone climate control, push button start, an 8.0-inch touchscreen display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Out back, the bed measures in at 5 feet four inches in length and 5 ft in width. The payload is 1,600 pounds. As a novelty, Honda has also installed an in-bed audio system with six speakers placed in the bed walls.

 

Once GM figures out how to build another factory they will sell more Twins. Right now they produce 9000 out of single factory, while Toyota at best sells 17 000 from two factories. Since Honda will have one factory for them hence 9000 a month.
So they will sell less than Twins but twins will be selling more of the Colorado trucks.
US Government has to reduce CO2 emissions so replacing couple of Silverados with Diesel Colorado will allow them to claim their improvements.

That is impressive payload for small truck (more than Tacoma which is funny considering Ridgeline looks like IRS truck.

 

This thing will appeal to a lot of people that like the car like feel of the GM twins but quality of a Japanese auto maker. To car-ish for me but that is exactly what's drawing sales into this market. People are dropping their cars or SUVs for a "truck".

 

They build this thing but get rid of the Element? The only way Honda wins me over is by bringing back the 4x4 Element. This reminds me of the Subaru Baja a bit.

 

Yes i agree they are reliable it is an accord engine but off road and towing suck and i need a bed cover to keep large itams dry and secure.

 

Yeah the gen 3 Tacoma stinks at towing. The displacement of the new Ridgeline is exactly the same as the Tacoma. Power should be similar if not better than the gen 3 Taco.

 

Wouldn't be funny if power and MPG is better ?
Also it looks like a smaller truck so even at the same power it should feel more powerful and get better MPG. For carrying firewood to from cabin, thats all whats needed.

 

reminds me of a Hilux

 

Yes. Usually to go dump stuff you go to the municiple dump. The only time I've punctured a tire on our on road truck (F150) was at the dump. You know, because there is garbage literally everywhere you drive and nails everywhere near the burn pile.

 

I kinda like it. I am not a fan of the Tonka huge grill styling of most of the other trucks. Wouldn't mind that in addition to my Tacoma. The wife and I have decided I get a new truck and she takes my old one.

If it gets 27 hwy mpg like the new Pilot...would be great for running to trail heads. I can fit 2 dirt bikes in the bed, or tow my moto trailer. so not just soccer mom's ...heck I have some friends that have switch from pickups, to TDI VW's for towing dirt bikes.

Have considered a Suby Forester for my daily, since they get better mileage than Tacos...the Ridgeline might be a good compromise.

 

These look nice !

 

It's more like GM will move main Colorado production to Mexico but build a few at the US plant to appease the rednecks.

Can you imagine how bad the drive will feel with 1500 lbs in the box on the FWD only model lol.

 

If they use the same engine as the Pilot it will be almost exact same power (280 hp, 262 torque). They said already it will have best in class fuel economy for a gas engine so it will be better than the Tacoma.

 

Plus it will be FWD biased at best, from what we've seen so far anyways, which will really add torque steer any time you want the power.

 

Can't say I hate the Ridgeline. I wouldn't buy one but it's refreshing to see a car company not try to make their truck something it isnt, ie no Mack Truck front grill and gawdy styling that has become so common in today's trucks.

 

You mean Honda isn't going the Nissan route and trying to copy the F series for their truck.