Redesigned Ridgeline

The “cab-over” esque design makes it very, uh, interesting to drive. Your wheels are never where you think they are, that combined with being right hand drive makes it a very odd vehicle.

I’m not personally aware of how much a Tacoma can actually pull, however I do know that a few weeks ago I pulled a 2,000lb trailer wich was loaded with around 3,200 of scrap, so roughly a 5,200 trailer and I have 34” tires and a stock differential gear setup. I knew it was behind me, don’t get me wrong, but it was beyond manageable, I would imagine with a stock truck I would have almost not noticed it at all.

 

It’s basically a 4 door El Camino. It’ll never make it. The only difference is the camino is remembered as a classic. The RL never will.

 

I like them a lot and considered one a while ago. I would've pulled the trigger except there was no 2 speed transfer case. My dad got one later and I was always impressed with how much more interior space there was than my taco(s).

If they rode a little higher, had a 2 speed TC and air ride to level the rear to keep the alignment in spec with different loads, I think I would be all over it. I would love a self leveling IRS.

 

The Honda RL is not for everyone. It is not intended for serious off road boulder hopping adventures. I have had two Tacoma's (1st gen and 2ng Gen). Currently have a Frontier Pro 4x. I am seriously considering getting a Honda RL as my next vehicle.

The main reason is I don't do much off road adventures anymore. Graded dirt roads to a fishing spot is about the roughest I do anymore. Most of my miles are highway. I still like having the ability to haul items for home projects and hobbies. As I get older I want a more comfortable ride. The Honda RL will meet those needs.

I know the Tacoma holds value. Seems buyers of Tacoma's also pay more compared to other brands. The Honda RL is not for everyone. Yet I imagine the majority of people driving mid size trucks the RL would meet their needs. The exception is those who really want to go off road. Then the RL should not be considered.

As far as the comment about the RL has a mini van engine. Do you really believe the 3rd Gen Tacoma has a true truck engine? Now the 2ng gen 4.0 engine was a truck engine.

 

If it checks the boxes that are important to you, I say go for it but, 9-speed paddle shifters or not, I don't think the Ridgeline will take a lot of market share from other trucks, including the Tacoma. I test drove both in 2019 and for me, the decision was easy. I wanted a conventional truck and like the looks and capabilities of the Tacoma more. Also, a Ridgeline RTL ain't cheap by a long shot. I would take a hard look at a Frontier before I bought a Ridgeline.

 

The "would meet their needs" phrase is often thrown around when people pitch the Ridgeline as an alternative to say, a Tacoma. The problem is that its just as expensive or more expensive than a Tacoma with less overall capability. Sure, it rides more like a CR-V, but who actually "needs" a $40,000 unibody truck?

 

If you want a car, ok I'll cut it some slack...

If you want a CUV with an open bed, have at it. Even with the redesign, it reminds me of my wife's Highlander, which is a very nice vehicle, but it is NOT a truck.

 

Well served by a Ridgeline that will cost you 2-3K more than a Tacoma.

 

Three trucks drive into Death Valley - one gets new shocks after.
https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/...yota-tacoma-trd-off-road-comparison-test.html

 

So then the question becomes why not a Pilot?

 

Everyone's Tacoma gets new shocks. Even my highway princess is getting 4600s over the OEM toothpicks.

 

Where the heck am I?

 

imo, the RL is not competing with the serious off road crowd. It can not compete. The RL is going for a different segment of the market. People like me.

Curious. How many Tacoma 4x4 owners actually use the Tacoma to its potential? I have seen some really nice Tacoma 4x4, some lifted, that most likely rarely leaves the pavement. I do known some that do use the Tacoma for off road. My 06 Tacoma was a great truck.

Who needs a unibody "truck". I will eventually get one.
How many people lift their Tacoma, put on large tires, etc. just because they "like the look"?

Who needs a $40,000 unibody truck?, I will eventually be one who wants one and will get one.

 

Not sure of what Japanese mini trucks you’re driving around, but I can assure you my 1994 ACTY can’t do half of what my Tacoma can. Different vehicles for different purposes.

 

Why not a Pilot? Can't haul the same type material in a Pilot compared to a RL. (closed in vs open bed).

(dirt bikes, yard trash, fill dirt, etc).

 

I just cant see a Ridgeline having any impact on other Midsized Trucks, its a growing segment and in fact every time a new truck enters the market Tacoma sales increase.

 

And my generation of Tacoma has what to do with the topic at hand?

 

I don't know, I guess if I ever to decide I want to try to offroad a minivan I'll look into a Ridgeline.

 

That might be the case. A growing segment taking away from sedans and less than adequate SUV’s...

The Ridgeline is not cheap, but neither is a loaded Taco. I think the OR I got was a pretty good deal, but the base RL apparently has a lot going for it. I wouldn’t mind paying a couple of thousand more for a more comfortable truck with a better ride, if that is the case. The government rates their gas mileage as more or less equal, but I do not get as good mileage on the Taco as they report—typically 19-20 with mixed driving, more like 16 in the city. The reviews of the RL say it’s quite a bit better.

As far as the Pilot comparison, there are worse things than a Pilot with a bed. My fiancee’s family had a Pilot that is still running with 350K miles.

Having spec’d out the RL online, I can’t see going below the RTL-E, which is kinda spendy, but you only go around once, you know? If you drive a lot as I do, might as well get what you want, not a compromise.

The bottom line is I will have to drive one soon to see how it drives, and get some more info on towing with the RL. I like the Taco quite a bit, but i also buy new vehicles quite often, so I wouldn’t have any problem trying something different if it seemed worthwhile.

 

isn't the Toyota's 3.5l V6 a engine from the sienna (minivan) too?

although I would never drive a ridgeline I don't understand the hate it gets, it has a bed therefore it is a truck, fact of the matter is the ridgeline can probably do 95% of the hauling/towing/offroading, that people do with fullsized/midsized "real" trucks.