New Tacoma vs the Ridgeline

Since 1980 I have owned 10 Tacoma's and last year I purchased a 2017 Ridgeline! I drove this 'not a truck" for two months and then sold it for many reasons, but most all it wasn't anything but an chopped off Pilot. I purchased a new '17 Tacoma SR5 and it is everything I expected it would be..reliable, responsive, rugged, and ready for work! It is interesting to note that many used '17 Ridgeline's are showing up on used car lots. In fact new Ridgeline sales are down 32%, while Tacoma sales are up 18%. Year to date, Toyota has sold 33,529 trucks while Honda has sold 4,315 Ridgeline's. (Source: http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2018/03/top-11-best-selling-pickup-trucks-america-february-2018/). Although Consumer Reports has ranked the Ridgeline as the best small truck to buy, it appears that the truck buying public disagrees with them on Tacoma's. Still, Consumer Reports ignores what truck buyers are consuming and puts their support behind a front wheel drive "not a truck", SUV based, vehicle that is once again proving to be a Honda mistake, just like the previous Ridgeline.

 

I love my tacoma

 

Welcome to TW.

 

Give it time bro. Can't keep a good truck down......Ridgeliners keep the faith!

 

Consumer reports hate the Tacoma because it's a truck.......

I think Toyota should make it more off road capable not less and I think most owners would agree.

People want a truck to be a truck....

 

Ridgeline almost like a Pontiac Aztec (asstek), same people that like El Caminos, PT Cruisers and Chevy HHR, ugliest things on the road.

 

What specifically didn't you like about the Ridgeline? Seats too Pilot-like comfortable? Ride too Pilot-like smooth? Ride too Pilot-like quiet? Automatic transmision too well behaved and hesistation free like a Pilot?

 

Good list! LoL.
But I'd drive an Aztec if it was sort of a light green... and I'd get a custom plate that says something like maybe, "saymynm" or "trdltly" or "hysnbrg" or something like that.

 

Or maybe reason why the Rigdeline is on top coz they only ask 5000 people on the survey.. Lol

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Consumer Reports is for retirees.

 

Taco time!

 

I absolutely agree dumping the ridgeline was the right decision.

I am genuinely curious what drove your decision to buy one in the first place if you’d been a Tacoma guy for 10+ years?

 

Ridgeline wasn’t even a thought when I was looking at new trucks

 

I didn't know people still bought those

 

Judging from his pro Taco post I seriously doubt he every really owned a Ridgeline.

 

I don't think El Caminos were THAT ugly.... wouldn't mind owning this.

 

2018 specs, towing capacity, with 3.5L V6:
Ridgeline 2WD - 3,500 lbs / AWD 5,000 lbs
Tacoma DCSB SR5 4x2 - 6,700 lbs / 4x4 6,400 lbs
'Nuff said

 

When consumer reports tested the tundra against the rest of the full size they had a $52k f150 and a $38k tundra. Tundra lost by 1 point. Compare apples to apples next time and see what happens!
I had a Ridgeline in 2008. It was not a truck, my wife drove it. That being said, it was a great utility vehicle that met our needs very well. It was great in snow, we loved the trunk under the bed, the swing out tailgate was pretty cool, 19MPG, comfy interior, and absolutely zero issues for 100k miles. Paid $23k in the 2008 recession, got $17k on trade 5 years later. I didn't have high expectations, never went off roading, and it was a great "car/suv" with a pick up bed. I will say I like my taco way better, but I have no regrets from owning the Ridgeline.