Consumer Reports Evaluation

Consumer Reports lost its mojo many years ago...

 

This is why consumer reports will have the ridgeline as the hands down winner of the mid size market. They like soccer mom vehicles with car like manners and speakers in the bed.

 

The old Ridgeline was always their top pick of all trucks.

 

My neighbor has an old ridgeline he bought new, now it has 350k on it. Zero repairs. But its just a commuter car.

 

I love my Tacoma. I loved my last Tacoma. I loved my Toyota Truck before them.

The Tacoma is a TERIBLE vehicle for most people. It drives *literally* like a truck. It gets gas mileage almost as bad or worse than some full size trucks and less than HALF that of a Prius. The seating position is completely compromised by the competing needs of ground clearance and garage parking. It's over-priced for what it is. It's expensive and you don't get as much (tangible) for your money as you do with almost every other vehicle available. The lauded off-road capability is completely wasted by almost everyone in the car buying market and the majority of actual Tacoma owners. It's not a very good tow vehicle, handling is bad compared to almost any car and most trucks, and other than cup-holders, features and appointments are way below average at the price point. In short, the average person should NOT EVEN CONSIDER A TACOMA. I haven't read the CR article, but I bet they are correct in their assessment...

...for most people.

If you want a reliable truck that has real off-road capability, well you aren't most people.

If you value reliability and/or resell value more than features, comfort, and purchase cost, you aren't most people.

If you are a di-hard loyal Toyota truck owner looking to upgrade or go another few 100k miles, you aren't most people.

Also, if you've bought into the marketing and think a Toyota will make you look or feel cool, that has nothing to do with how good the truck is compared to the rest of the market.

 

Toyota maybe should have done what Nissan is doing now... taking its sweet time to update the Frontier...assessing the real competition and sizing the marketplace for mid-size pick-ups....
They will have the time to get it right and make sure the right features are available and work correctly....Toyota rushed the 3Rd gen , its very obvious & we are seeing the results in some lack of quality control and omission of things to cut corners and save 13 cents here and there....

 

Using my logic - anything you can do while smoking a cigarette isn't a sport.

 

I thought I was wrong once - but it turned out I was wrong.

 

The things they find as faults I find as endearing qualities. I bought a truck. I expected it to ride like a truck and drive like a truck. If it drove like a CR-V I'd be disappointed.

 

I don't even think the word Nissan when I think trucks or cars.

 

I don't.

 

Agreed. And I agree with Consumer Report's assessment. And the Ridgeline will likely be their best scoring truck for many reasons. They road test all cars and trucks the same regardless of if they have a body on frame architecture. There are no bonus points for off-road capability or looking cool. The FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler score awful with CR too. It doesn't mean they are bad vehicles, it means compared to a Lexus sedan the ride is less comfortable, louder, it is harder to get in and out of the vehicle, it doesn't go as fast on a track, and visibility isn't as good. All these demerits are very true especially the compromised ride quality in exchange for off-road capability. Real trucks and body on frame SUVs will likely never achieve the comfort and handling levels (or high CR road test scores) of the best unibody vehicles, but CR data does show the Tacoma and FJ Cruiser to be extremely reliable vehicles with mostly satisfied owners. Don't be offended by the results, just realize there are ride, handling, and other compromises made when driving a truck compared to a comfortable luxury sedan that we gladly give up in exchange for utility and off-road capability.

 

The 4Runner got a really bad review also.

 

My mom is still subscribed to the magazine and has every magazine from the last 20 years along with every yearly reference guide that tells you where any item, category, or article is in each of the magazines.... The guides list large categories and reference older guides if it was written up in them...

Shits mad crazy popular with people her age.

I expect to get a call about my truck when this article hits the magazine

 

Has Tacoma won any comparison test at any other publication? I've read a few and the theme is always the same, so it's not just CR.

 

They said the Ridgeline ride was more civilized than other trucks. Hillarious. You can gather a lot about who writes the reviews right there. Soccer time !

 

So you getting a Ridgeline that has Lol. Doubt it. Get the point ?

 

Well, here is a new 'not CR' comparo:

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/08/whats-the-best-midsize-pickup-for-2016.html

 

Hey Consumer Reports, will your highest rated vehicle make it here?

 

So you would get a Ridgeline or a gmc? Not me.