Tacoma vs. Ridgeline Review

This is not hard to figure out. They don't sell because nobody wants a front wheel drive truck. I don't need 4x4 in fl but I damn sure don't want a front wheel drive honda

 

I’d be hard pressed to call the ridgeline a truck.

Unibody (ie no body on frame), front wheel drive, no two speed tcase (for 4x4 trucks).

Only thing making the ridgeline a “truck” IMO is the bed shaped area in the back.

Ranchero/el Camino is more truck-like in my mind.

 

At least the Ranchero and El Camino were body on frame and RWD, the Ridgeline is more along the lines of the Dodge Rampage VW Rabbit style.

 

Maybe you can get a deal or something but the top end Ridgeline is nearly TRD Pro/ZX2 money and starting price is $30k MSRP. That's too much IMO for something that is a massive compromise between a larger CUV and a real truck - both of which can be had easily at the same price.

 

Most upper level trim (RTL-E) is priced around $40k. That's more Limited pricing than Pro. Low to mid level trims are in the low to mid $30k. How is that not in sync with comparable products?

Regardless, why would you even compare those two? They are obviously intended for different buyer segments. TRD Pro is off-road oriented. Ridgeline, as discussed numerous times, is the typical suburban family guy with weekend projects, who really couldn't care less about a desert "snorkel." It has power seats. Better navigation/HU. More comfortable ride. Better safety sensors. etc. etc. Still has good payload and decent tow rating.

I obviously chose the Tacoma. I value the ability to tackle various trails out here in the West. Robustness of the components. Even the "truck" ride quality. That's what I value. I don't knock anyone for getting a Ridgeline. It's a good car for what it is. Maybe it's a "massive compromise" for YOU, but you're not every buyer out there. Honda never said it would take the dunes at 70mph. Conquer Moab. Those aren't the basis for determining a superior truck, and frankly, not sure why it gets brought up so much. Having spoken to Ridgeline owners, they understand this about their truck. Wish everyone else would.

 

What is the compromise? What does the Tacoma or Chevy/GMC do better except Offroad?

 

The target Honda set was 40,000 Ridgelines per year (profit at 30K units). The reason for that number is that was the available capacity at the plant. They build Odyssey minivan and Pilot SUV there as well. They also use to build the Acura MDX but that was moved to another plant to free up capacity to build additional Odyssey's and Pilot's their profit makers. Ridgeline was always intended as a fill vehicle for the unused plant capacity.

 

I would have to try to find the article I read on the subject, but it basically said the best sales year was a little more 50k and they would only consider the redesign a success with annual sales exceeding that.

 

I had heard that number as well but my cousin works for Honda US and he is the one that told me that the max they could build at the Alabama facility was 40K / year as that was the free available capacity they had, and that 30K was the profit/loss target. The build was always to take place there as the Ridgeline shares 100% of the front portion (from front doors to the bumper, even though the bumper cover is different) with the Honda Pilot. They moved the MDX last year to free up for extra capacity for the Odyssey and Plot and not the Ridgeline, tells you they are not serious about it.

The numbers are down 19% this year compared to the 2017 numbers. The Ridgeline was always a niche vehicle for Honda and never intended to be the leader for large vehicles, that is left to Odyssey and Pilot.

 

Sales figures...

Tacoma much more successful than the RL but not nearly as successful as the F-150. Wow--that's about 1500 F-150's sold EVERY DAY...

https://www.businessinsider.com/best-selling-pickup-trucks-in-us-in-2018-2018-8

 

F-series has and always will be the most successful line of trucks, period. A huge reason is that almost every company that buys a company truck...buys a F-150. City and State utilities buy F-series for their work trucks. Huge construction companies buy F-series for their work trucks as well. Almost every utility truck I've ever seen has been a F-series, not a Silverado or GMC or Taco/Tundra.

 

It's not remotely capable off road compared to an actual truck like a Tacoma and given its typical owner, the bed doesn't offer much more than you'd get from a Honda Pilot or similarly sized CUV with the rear seats down. The Ridgeline is rated for about 500 lbs more than is reasonable to put in the bed without serious sagging and meeting bump stops and they are atrocious for towing. My coworker had one and his struggled to tow a 3,500 lb boat trailer without constantly hunting and being way up in the RPM range.

It basically gives up all the benefits you get when it comes to hauling and towing in a proper truck and simultaneously gives up all the benefits of rear passenger room and enclosed cargo space you get with a similarly sized CUV. Everything about it is a compromise of the two.

 

Or $45,000 on a Tundra. Buddy just bought one week before last.

 

If you take into consideration the amount of truck owners that use their truck for their intended purpose, you'd end up with an extremely small pool of members. The Honda makes sense for at least 70-80% of truck owners that just need the bed to help a buddy out when they need to move or carry miscellaneous items.

 

Sounds like you just described the Toyota Tacoma, bad payload, gear hunting while towing and a small 5' bed.

Seriously, my parents have one and tow a trailer all over the West coast and love it. They load the bed with camping gear, wood, Honda generator etc and still tow a small travel trailer. Aside from being ugly, I don't see much downside to the Ridgeline for 95% of people who drive mid size trucks.

 

it's because he's talking out of his ass. All of the research I've done showed the ridgeline is more than capable towing recreational hitches - it even fared well on the super ike:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohnL47A03dA

Honestly it shifts better in the super ike test than most 3rd gens do driving with no load lmfao

 

The Ridgeline is a car not a truck regardless of it having a bed. I used to have a Subaru Baja and it was just a car with open bed. So is the Ridgeline. What annoys me more than people comparing the Ridgeline to trucks is auto makers that put 4x4 on a vehicle not even capable of more than a dirt road like a Jeep Compass or Liberty. Those things would be better off with AWD. At least Honda got that part right.

However, their argument for why it beats a Tacoma is downright stupid. Like Android auto makes a truck a better truck. Might as well make the same case as to why the Ridgeline is better than a Prius.

 

You're missing the point. Point is, most people use their tacoma like a ridgeline. Haul stuff from the home improvement store, never go off road or maybe see a gravel road at best. The majority of people who buy a tacoma are better suited off for a ridgeline. This website does not represent the majority of tacoma owners.

 

Meh, people at one time thought no trucks should have IFS. Less than a V8 engine. Auto transmission. Etc. Definition of a truck has evolved over the years.

And for me, I would love it if they put an actual 4WD system with a xfer case in other cars. Jeep Cherokee is a great example. Proper 4Wd system with Hi/Lo, it performs really well. I would have a LOT of fun in a Subaru Forester if it had Lo gearing.

Funny enough, that is a fair list for those that are in the market for a Ridgeline. And honestly, the first two and the last item, people here have complained about plenty.

 

I agree with your post, but my problem with the Ridgeline is simply that it is unattractive. I do like the interior, though.