Please Convince Me To Buy a 2016 Tacoma over the 2017 Honda Ridgeline

As you can tell, I'm very interested in the Tacoma and been following this website for some time now. I will probably be buying a brand new truck at the end of the year after my second child is born and looking for a truck to do the following:

1. Use for lightweight hauling like furniture, cedar chips and mulch, and larger home improvement items. No towing boats or anything like that.
   
   
2. Use the bed for outdoor recreational activities like camping, bike riding or kayaking...enough for a family of four
   
   
3. Decent fuel economy...like 17-19 MPG in the city
   
   
4. Roomy enough for a family of four..so four doors
   
   
5. 4WD (maybe?) for going up to the mountain or light off-roading like taking my son camping during a Boy Scouts trip
   
   
6. Reliability...something I plan to keep for 10+ years
   
   
7. Cargo space needs to be big enough for a family of four on a road trip

My top two choices right now are the Toyota Tacoma or the 2017 Ridgeline (I don't care if it's a unibody). I like the Ridgeline because it's just enough truck for what I need, plus the in-bed trunk and under-the-seat storage is nice. The Tacoma is really sweet as well but lacks the in-bed trunk and under-the-seat storage, because of that I think I might need to get a long bed instead to increase cargo space.

Besides the lack of cargo space compared to the Ridgeline, here are my thoughts of the Tacoma:
1. It looks more bad-ass than the Ridgeline and will continue to look good as it ages.
2. Proven reliability
3. Cheaper, plus I can bargain for a better deal at the end of the year before the 2017 model comes out
4. Two free years of ToyotaCare, plus I can extend it
5. More accessories
6. Wonky transmission, low ATF fluids, and ungreased U joints it seems...hmmm
7. No in-bed trunk

 

Well, the Tacoma is a proven offroad vehicle and the best selling compact truck on the market. The Ridgeline is a car that is trying to self-identify as a truck...

 

You want other people (strangers) on the Internet to tell you which $35k+ vehicle best fits your family? Hmmm...

Get the Ridgeline. Your post seems to indicate you like its features.

 

To be honest, the truck/crossover confusion doesn't really matter to me since I don't plan to tow or do heavy off-roading.

 

For what you're wanting to do either would be fine. It really comes down to personal preference. If you prefer driving a truck it's a Tacoma if you want something that drives more like a car then the ridgeline is going to suit your needs. I love my Tacomas I've had but I've had a few Hondas as well. Honda knows how to make a comfortable quality car. For me the bed space is a deal breaker with the ridgeline though.

 

Yeah, my wife and I never drove trucks before and really don't know how they feel. I'm sure it will feel much better than our 2011 Honda Fit and 1996 Honda Accord though! I'm guessing the Ridgeline would feel like a mini van?

 

More like a Honda Pilot.

 

Test drive both and do what you want. Everybody's lifestyle is different and prioritize different things when it comes to buying a vehicle.

 

Yeah, I'll probably do that this summer and keep a close eye on the Tacoma prices versus the Ridgeline.

 

Convince yourself dude, your money.

 

Get the Ridgeline

 

or get the Tacoma

damn , I can't decide

 

Seriously.

Your car. Your 10 years of ownership. Your needs. Your wants. Your money.

The Tacoma is not a family hauler. It's great offroad. You say you won't be off-roading much, so that perk doesn't mean anything in your use.

Get whatever, but if you need convincing from randoms on an online forum - don't get either.

Spending $35k on a decade long commitment isn't something you ask strangers about. Talk to your wife instead.

 

Lol!

 

I've been flip flopping everyday for the last couple weeks. I think my wife is getting tired of it.

 

These kind of "make me" threads are hilarious.

 

Keep flip flopping until you make a choice. Do multiple test drives. You're on a tacoma forum....
That tells me you want the tacoma.

 

Imagine that.

 

Tacoma for 4 plus gear is the wrong choice, especially with a newborn.

You might want one, but it's not practical for your family needs, which is more important.

 

Honda makes a nice vehicle. You like the idea of having a trunk. Sounds like the Ridgeline is what you need.