Bad news for Honda and the next generation ridgeline?

Boomer27 · Oct 31, 2014

I drive a 2005 Honda S2000...definitely not a point A to point B "appliance". Honda has the capacity to make a real driver's car. We'll see if that magic will happen with the Ridgeline.

I suspect that the Ridgeline frame and AWD system will be similar to the current truck. I don't think Honda plans a direct 4WD competitor to the Tacoma, Frontier, or Colorado/Canyon twins.

Vantage · Oct 31, 2014

I am sure Chris could answer about the new 4wd system.

I do hope both the next gen Taco and RL come out or at least are debuted in February at Chicago. Then I'll be able to hold out easier, or just buy a Touareg TDI.

chris4x4 · Oct 31, 2014

js312 said: ↑

Enough for you to buy one over a Tacoma, assuming the new Tacoma has some drivetrain and modernization changes over the current one?
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Myself?, No. Its still not going to have the off road capability the Tacoma has. What it WILL do, is swing buyers who only drive mild fire roads, and stay mostly in town.

Vantage[OP] said: ↑

I am sure Chris could answer about the new 4wd system.
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They wouldn't go into the full drivetrain with me, and wouldn't let me crawl underneath the vehicle to "sniff around", so I cant comment on whats under it, as for drive system. Given how attached to their AWD systems Honda is, I would guess that's its gonna be similar to the current system.

CMI · Nov 1, 2014

Vantage[OP] said: ↑

I hate the Tacoma 6 speed, I have had many cars/trucks...

1990 CRX Si engine and tranny swap
2001 Civic LX used for AutoX
2001 Tacoma Offroad, lifted and locked.
2006 Civic Si mild engine build and tune.
2004 v8 4Runner <- amazing engine and tranny combo.
2012 VW GLI
1992 4Runner
and Current 2011 Tacoma.

Of these vehicle only the V8 4Runner was an auto, and by a mile the Tacoma's 6speed is the worst. I upgraded to a TRD quickshift and that helped a little but it still is horrible. It has a horrible feel (long, vague changes), offers WORSE gas mileage than the automatic, is less strong than the automatic and is NOISY as hell!

I will be buying an Auto for my next vehicle. Unless I was buying another sports car, an automatic is a better choice. IMO the newer gen of 7/8/9 speed tranny's are better than any standard. They are smooth, help make small engines feel WAY faster, and get better gas mileage.

You never see a new standard vehicle that gets better gas mileage and faster acceleration than an equivalent automatic.
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I really don't like 6-speed manual as I did anymore, as I feel the ones in the pre-2011 models are marginally better. It was easier to shift my '07 versus the '14. It seems that Honda, VW/Audi and BMW manuals are the best in general. It would be really nice if Honda thought of offering one in an AWD application for the next Ridgeline.

I was initially reluctant to trade-in my Tacoma for my Raptor because I love doing my own shifting and kept it instead. San Antonio traffic can be brutal at times, that even someone as young as me can get fatigued from constant braking/heel-to-toe.

chris4x4 said: ↑

This is kinda old information. Honda was aware of their quality slipping years ago, back in the 2010/2011 model years. The newer Hondas, 2015's for example, have MUCH better interior quality, and the exteriors have been made better too. Using higher quality materials, and such. I just read how the newer Hondas use more High Strength Steel in the body, than any other manufacture. And having seen the 2014's next to the 2015's, the leather interiors are leaps and bounds better quality then the 14's. Im not sure the Ridgeline is gonna be pushed back as far as folks might think, as it seems Honda has jumped in with both feet to fix this. Considering the more time they waste, the more sales other makers get, Im not surprised.
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I agree, as I perceived improvement in Honda products sold from late 2012 on. I hope they give their RLX a short cycle 5 years and replace it with something more competitive.

chris4x4 said: ↑

If its the vehicle I was shown, then Yes, its going to sway sales. The new Ridgeline I saw was rather stunning. Real truck bed, very nice looking, and a competitive drive train, with close to 300 HP, and 7 speed transmission.
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Thanks for the info chris4x4, as I've been curious about it. Looks like they'll do well Apparently you saw the next Nissan Frontier too? I never knew that surveys/clinics will show or allow more than one future model alongside future competitors. I guess they don't allow employees from those automakers, to protect competing companies.

CMI · Nov 1, 2014

chris4x4 said: ↑

This is kinda old information. Honda was aware of their quality slipping years ago, back in the 2010/2011 model years. The newer Hondas, 2015's for example, have MUCH better interior quality, and the exteriors have been made better too. Using higher quality materials, and such. I just read how the newer Hondas use more High Strength Steel in the body, than any other manufacture. And having seen the 2014's next to the 2015's, the leather interiors are leaps and bounds better quality then the 14's. Im not sure the Ridgeline is gonna be pushed back as far as folks might think, as it seems Honda has jumped in with both feet to fix this. Considering the more time they waste, the more sales other makers get, Im not surprised.
Click to expand...

I'm not too sure about that, as I saw this and a lot of talk in this thread:

Simulation Engineer

G-TEKT North America Corporation

July 2014 – Present (5 months)Columbus, Ohio Area• Performing stamping and structure simulation on Honda North America New Model programs
• Conducting tool development of Honda 2016 Civic, 2016 Accord, 2017 Ridgeline and Acura 2016 ILX, 2018 RDX body frame parts using Catia V5
• Analyzing parts pressing process and formability with Jstamp and proposing countermeasures for Honda R&D designers
• Coordinating with Honda R&D guest engineers to ensure proposed designs meet manufacturability requirements and assembly standards
Click to expand...

chris4x4 · Nov 1, 2014

CMI said: ↑

I'm not too sure about that, as I saw this and a lot of talk in this thread:
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I guess we'll all just have to see. The only folks who know the exact timeline are the people at Honda.

Boerseun · Feb 26, 2015

Saw these concept sketches today - these are generated from the new Pilot SUV.
I was kind of looking forward to the new Ridgeline, but I don't like this much. I like the VW Amarok-looking one a little better.

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Bad news for Honda and the next generation ridgeline?

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chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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Bad news for Honda and the next generation ridgeline?

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chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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