Just saw the first Ridgeline

I think each generation of Tacoma is more ugly than the last, but it is what it is. To me the definition of a truck is body-on-frame. Anything unibody is a car. Whether that is further divided is fine, SUVs can be either cars (RAV4) or trucks (4Runner).

I'll also be the first to admit that a lot of cars, like this Ridgeline, can approach truck-like capabilities. But the reason a truck is a truck is over time with repeated use and abuse they tend to wear out less. It's about utility over comfort. @MTgirl's comparison is a great one. That Hilux may look like the Ridgeline but I guarantee you 10 years of real use and they won't be anything like the same. The Hilux has a 1-ton rated, fully boxed frame and is considered a commercial truck is most countries.

I'd prefer trucks would still be leaf sprung, live axles, granny gear stick shifts, but whatcha gonna do? I'm also not 25 anymore and 3,000 mile roads are a lot nicer in my Tacoma than my old 1978 FJ40. I'm not that strict about it in the final analysis I guess.

 

It's always easy to spot the trolls. They ignore what you actually say and try to put words in your mouth. As I said earlier, the Ridgeline isn't intended to compete directly against the Tacoma....AND THE TACOMA ISN'T INTENDED TO COMPETE DIRECTLY WITH THE RIDGELINE....They are after 2 different markets... but have some similarities that draw comparisons by those who want to beat a dead horse from time to time. No where will you find it where I said EITHER is "better", more capable, LESS capable or more/less "manly".

I off road whatever I drive. The Tacoma is from all indications a better choice for THAT. There is considerable more aftermarket equipment available to expand the Tacoma's off road abilities. And that is the determining factor in what I drive. Anyone who tries to spin THAT into something of a derogatory statement against the Ridgeline has lost what credibility they may or may not have had.....Simple as that.

 

For example, this is another way you can buy a Hilux from an Aussie Toyota dealer.

 

But does it come with the ISIS terror weapon option?

 

Yeah when you put them side by side like that I see your point. That bulbous snout on the white truck is hideous. The overstated bottom bumper reminds me of the old 5mph water filler taxi bumpers. Way over done A big blob of fragile plastic pretending to be tough and the only thing that nose job accomplishes is to obstruct your view ahead. Macho bling instead of useful engineering.

Sorry guys the aerodynamic design on the Honda is actually better looking.

However if ugly is your goal then the original uni body pickup sets the standard. It is so ugly it is adorable. Instead of posting a photo I put a link below. See if you can guess what it is. The only hint is that it is American and was made between 1962-67 and a good example sells for more than a tricked out Taco.


https://s31.postimg.org/cbg49sg1n/ugly.jpg

 

Ford Econoline pickup. Not for everybody but I like it.

 

Gotta love 3rd gen owners calling the ridge line ugly.

 

Ooooh vinyl factory decals.

 

Oh I'm not hating, I'm just pointing out something funny. I'm confident in my purchase, buy keep trying to sell yourself on yours by trying to compare.

 

That pic shows the approach angle difference between the two. I'm not a fan of the hognose Tacoma grille, but the sloping Tacoma front bumper is so much better for even mild offroading. The links on the Ridgeline rear suspension hang low, those could get rock damage from rocks the front might clear, that's not so good.

 

Do people here even listen to interviews with the Honda engineers for the ridgeline? This thread should have hardly gone this far. Tacoma obviously designs their truck with a heavy influence on offroad superiority. Honda has said over and over and over that THEIR research led them to 90%+ of midsize owners use their trucks primarily for daily driving.

The ridgeline is designed to provide maximum comfort for daily drivers with the benefits of having a truck. The tacoma is built to be the midsize offroad superior truck. I have absolutely no doubt the ridgeline will be far more comfortable to drive than the tacoma and will be a far better pavement princess. It will get people on simple trails, sand and through snow with no problems. It won't go rock crawling and Honda never ever claimed or said it would be superior in doing so.

The tacoma and ridgeline are midsize trucks with their primary emphasis geared towards two completely different sets of demographics.

 

A question for you. Is the Taco the ultimate off road vehicle available on the market. Of course not a Raptor or a Wrangler tops a taco. So the same argument you just used applies to your truck as well.

You counter by saying "well it's good enough for anything I want to do" and bingo the same argument applies to a Ridgeline owner. In any of a dozen ways I can think of, the Ridge crushes the Taco. Comfort, room, safety features, in bed audio, locking trunk, rust proof bed, mileage, quietness, bed width, dual action tail gate, handling, electronics, reliability, visibility, rear seat versatility ... Ok so that's a baker's dozen plus a few.

But, you are right and I have agreed since my first posts here that if you need a bit more clearance and off roadability then sure a Taco beats a Ridge.

However, the argument that they serve different marked is a false one. Honda very much wants Taco and Colorado prospective buyer, they even wants Silverado. Ram and F150 buyers to give them a look. Not everyone looking at a full size needs one. Of the mid sizes the Ridge is the only 4x8 carry flat bed and that is big if you are a contractor. foreman or need to carry a large ATV etc.

One area where the Ridge will never compete is price and add on accessories, lift kits, wheels, roll bars etc. If you are the type that intends to trick up your ride then yeah you own that one.

Honda went all out to make the Ridge more mainstream. But the same old antagonism is still there. Judging by the number of Taco drivers that are considering the Ridge it will be interesting to see where the sales numbers end up this year. As with I phone there are a lot of Ridge fanboys who have been waiting a long time for their upgraded ride so initial sales will be brisk but after them it will be interesting to see if this time they can steal some market share.

 

I saw a Ridgeline driving towards me today. Turned out it was a minivan

no joke

 

If Honda's research is honest and accurate then the taco demographic is only 10% of the market and 90% are up for grabs. Honda's problem is buyers have a romantic idea of what the think they need. That bug in the back of the mind that says.. "but what if I need to tow 7000 lbs. What if I need to climb Pikes peak without using the road. They never will but the mind does not work that way.

Everyone that buys a Corvette Z06 C7.R imagines themselves going 200+MPH but few ever will.

 

That's it, you have convinced me spylake. Bye Bye to my lame Taco, say hello to my Ridgeline. Oh baby, I won't be able to sleep tonite I'm so excited.

 

LOL, 2017 Ridgeline already has a TSB for broken tailgates.....

 

You know, it kinda looks more like the Hilux than the Taco does.

 

it is also cheap looking. If I had to get a RL I would go for the older model.