If The Honda Ridgeline Fails It's Because Pickup Truck Buyers Are Nuts

I guess he's talking about us.

 

I think there are more Honda threads than Toyota in this section now. Congrats.

 

I think the article is accurate for the most part. I agree most people don't need a full size truck, don't haul, and stay road warriors. I agree most people want more power and the whole "look what I have" mentality. However...I totally disagree with him on the aesthetics. It is going to fail miserably. Just as the "redesigned" Honda Pilot will fail. In the Honda Pilot's case it was transforming an SUV into a mini van. My father-in-law owned a Ridgeline and I hated it! The interior came straight out of the 90's I felt like. It was uncomfortable, the total interior layout threw me for a loop, and was FUGLY. He actually worked at a Honda dealership for 30+ years and we've purchase plenty of vehicle from Honda. I've heard first hand from salesmen say customers enter the dealership wanting to buy a new Pilot only to see the 2016 redesign and leave without one stating its no longer the SUV they wanted. Its the new direction of design. Taking trucks and SUVs and placing them on car frames for a better ride and trying to make them appear futuristic. What they fail to realize is truck owners want a solid vehicle, with practical design, decent gas mileage (we understand by the very nature of a truck its not going to compete with a Prius), and the look of a truck. Thats why the 16' Tacoma is doing so well. Improved HP, fuel economy, tow capacity, and a more modern interior.

 

I am in the market for a pickup, but not a Ridgeline. I want 4 wheel drive with low-range. It needs to carry 4 people. It needs more ground clearance than a RAV4. The trunk under the bed containing the spare is unacceptable. There are too many scenarios where unloading the bed to get at the spare is extremely inconvenient at best (better not keep your emergency plug/patch kit in the trunk with the spare). Will the trunk lid still work after having stuff (dirt, sand, gravel, bricks, refrigerator, etc.) loaded on it?

The Tacoma is better for me.

 

Your poll should include guessing how many times I have to report Ridgeline threads to the mods for moving due to no 3rd gen content.

 

I have seen this argument against the placement of the spare several times, but it seems to me that on almost all passenger vehicles (other than trucks) it's located in the trunk or similar compartment. Also I foresee an insanely high percentage of the time the spare is needed there will be nothing in the bed as the people buying these will probably not be getting them for work trucks/won't be people utilizing the bed frequently. I see that category of people staying with a more traditional truck.

 

If the ridgeline offered a true rwd part time 4x4 system and low range I'd consider getting one. They are nothing but an odyssey minivan sharing parts with pilot and the accord. I'll have to pass, although they are looking better than they did.

 

3rd Gen. (well, 2.5)

 

I see your point of view bit I would have to disagree.
It is true that almost 100% of cars have their spare in their trunk. There are two justifications for this. 1. Cars are low, lower with a flat. 2.when you need to access the spare and the trunk is "full". It won't take you more than 10 minutes to empty it out.

So why dont/can't have a spare in the "trunk" of a truck??
1.if your truck bed is "full" of stuff it would take longer and possibly impossible to empty it to access the spare. Ex. Carrying wood, sand, gravel, 1 gallon plants, fridge, trash, ton of camping gear almost all of which are tied down... Endless possibilities that will truly make a small flat a nightmare in the middle of nowhere.

2.Trucks are easier /taller to get under and access a FULL Size spare. (heard the Ridgeline is not full size)

The possibilities of getting a flat when carrying a load are higher than when not. Mainly because they are under greater stress.

Overall. I think that the Ridgeline's compartment is neat for having tools that you occasionally use. Just leave the spare out of the equation. Relocate it, make it full size.

 

I haven't lowered the spare from under my Tacoma in years....

Where is the spare in cars? In the trunk, under a lid...which usually has stuff on top of it. It will be fine 99.9% of the time.

Unless you're a cheap-ass and don't keep fresh tires on your truck...and are constantly fixing flats, I don't see the location of the spare an issue...hell, the majority of truck owners don't haul anything!

 

He is kinda right, more people care about image than practicality.

I can't stand the machismo styling of the new trucks...it just screams "Sorry about your penis!!!"

Do like the subdued looks of the Ridgeline, I am comfortable in my manhood though, and have nothing to prove. Me personally it would be price point and actual fuel economy what makes it or breaks it for the Honda. Guessing it is going to similar to the Pilot...AWD LX starts at $32K...EPA hwy says 27mpg....real world it is looking to be 21-24...not good, when I can go buy a Tacoma or a F150 Eco 2.7 for nearly the same price and fuel economy...which in all reality are more truck than I need.

Or I could buy a SR Tacoma 4 banger for $25K, and save 6-7 grand right off the bat.

 

Butt hurt much.

 

Well do you want the trucks to be made more feminine to your liking? Miata looking front end maybe? Maybe throw some powder puff blue and fuchsia color themes in to please you. Perpetuating the old and idiotic statements about truck machismo being related to wiener size sounds like you having a problem.

 

The mancard return line is two threads over and to your left...or right...depending on how you dress. I've been there twice but got turned away bother times...I own a 4x2 so apparently I'm packin' for a small army.



I'm reserving my opinion on the Ridgeline until I actually see one. Afterall, the new taco looks better in person than it does on the toyota site.

 

The location of the spare IS a concern to me... on my '06, I had a flat in 2010...the tire was down there in all the shit and salty spray for 5 years.... I had one messy time getting it out at night, with my suit on, and then low and behold....the steel rim was so well corroded that it took me 15 minutes, with minimal tools to scrape off the rust, so the wheel would go on the truck....

The spare has resided in the bed from that point on.... Chained/locked...now with a locked tailgate and tonneau....!!

I'd like to see Toyota make a depression in the rear of the box to hold the spare and access it from the bed..!!!!

 

Within the next 12 months or so I will be in the market for a mid size truck. I really liked my 06 Tacoma. My needs/wants have changed as I gotten older (mid 60's now). I don't do hard off road driving. While a 4x2 would meet my needs the majority of the time. There are times having a 4x4 or AWD would be beneficial for the times I do venture down a FS or BLM road. I do use a truck to haul yard debris to the dump, wood for woodturning, items from the box stores, etc.

That said, the new Honda Ridgeline has tweaked my interest. It will not outperform a Tacoma in off road conditions. Vids I have watched the Ridgeline is capable of handling the type of dirt roads I would drive on. imo, it will have a better on road ride. The bed also has greater capacity than the Tacoma. More highway rides up to snow country, maintained dirt roads in the forest, and trips to destination is more on my agenda.

Not ruling out the Tacoma. But I will take a long look at the Honda this spring.

 

Ya know, you can get a Ram in Robin Egg Blue still...you got me thinking.

I like the old Toyotas...while the new Taco isn't "too horrible" in person....the rest (1/2-1 Tons) are bit too Tonka looking, just seems like they are marketed to the insecure. Think that is why I like the Ridgeline, it is not so inyerface, yo! Reminds of the 1st gen Tundra's, T-100's, HiLux.



Toyota can build a work truck without a ginormous grill, why can't the others? Me thinks it is more about image than anything else.

F250 RCLB payload is 3480 lbs. LC70 Ute is 1235KG (2722 lbs)

 

What's the volume of the new Ridgeline bed? It's certainly wider but nowhere near as deep

 

Can't find any info on how tall the bedsides are, so I can't figure the cubic volume. New bed floor dimensions are 5W 5.4"D

 

Bed Size Of Truck (Inches) Width Length
Honda Ridgeline W-60.0 x L-64.0
Nissan Frontier Ext W-61.4 x L-73.3
Nissan Frontier 4 Door W-61.4 x L-59.5
Toyota Tacoma Ext W-56.7 x L-73.7
Toyota Tacoma 4 Door W-56.7 x L-60.5
Chevy Colorado Ext W-57.8 x L-74.0
Chevy Colorado 4 Door W-57.8 x L-61.7

Bed Size Of Truck (Inches) Approximate Area
Honda Ridgeline 3840.00
Nissan Frontier 3653.30
Toyota Tacoma 3430.35
Chevy Colorado 3566.26

Nice article on it- http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/new-honda-ridgeline-has-a-bigger-bed-than-comparable-ta-1752608164