Tacoma or Ridgeline?

Not everyone needs an offroad truck, that's the whole purpose of a Ridgeline.

Like I said to the OP in my very first post in this thread, drive both the Taco and the RL and decide for himself.

 

Having recently purchased a Tacoma, I have seriously considered the Ridgeline. I ended up going with the Tacoma for several reasons. I really prefer the looks of the Tacoma and while I may sound like a paranoid individual to some, but I'd like to have a capable vehicle at all times (even in the suburban areas) if I need to leave the beaten path in a bug out scenario. I live quite close to the nation's capital, and I am also rather short, so having a large full sized truck was not really a practical option for me.

With that being said, one comment you made about having to invite clients to your vehicle is reason enough to go for a plushier ride of a Ridgeline. In comparison, the Tacoma has a harsher ride and is slightly tougher to get in and out of the vehicle with higher ground clearance, especially if you have female clients in dresses or even office attire. Driving around town and as a daily commuter, I did not find a noticeable difference to sway me one way or the other.

I haven't sat down with a Honda salesman to talk prices on a Ridgeline, but seeing as how they are new and in short supply, you may have a better chance at getting a better deal on a '16 Tacoma that are taking up space for the 2017s. Happy hunting!

 

LMAO, the Tacoma is a solid fit for many but it is a full-size SUV with a bed (Ridgeline is a small SUV with a bed)...far from "a proven truck, with very real truck characteristics" IMO.

 

First, thank you to everyone who responded with their thoughts, ideas, and opinions.

After reading all of your responses it seems that the Tacoma doesn't really have any specific advantages over the Ridgeline for my intended use - i.e. on-pavement only and not towing anything heavier than about 2000 lbs.

However, if my intended use were to change, then there are areas where the Tacoma excels. For example, if off-pavement capability were added to my selection criteria, then the Tacoma is unquestionably the better choice. And, of course, if looks were more important to me then arguably the Tacoma is the best at satisfying that.

So, for me, it boils down to this: will I ever really use the truck off-pavement? If so, I would be better advised to get the Tacoma. I will have to think through this piece a bit before making a decision. In the meantime, thanks again for all the help.

 

More like double assed.


Seriously though, vans with way more capacity than our Tacos have been unibody for quite some time.

 

The heck are you talking about? The Ridgeline is based on the Pilot which is a 3-row full size SUV. On top of that, they are within 2" of each other.

 

I think with his preferred daily driving requirements, the RL would suit the OP just fine. Luxury car characteristcs and quality interior, more interior space, open bed for trips to the big box store, AWD capabilities for some offroad excursions and towing capacity for the bikes.

Perfect choice if he likes the seating position from a test drive.

No RL hate here and I've owned a few Toyota trucks for a long time.

 

I guess if he wants a long bed he would have to go with the Taco.

 

The ridgeline has more options and features, is a more comfortable ride, and is a better performing truck on and off road.

The choice is obvious; get a huffy.

 

Keep one thing in mind, the ground clearance. Attached is a pic of the RL I test drove and the curb behind it is where it was parked. Whenn pulling off the curb the salesman came straight down and it scraped. I don't think it would have if he pulled off at an angle, but that is a concern. I was going to get a RL until I tested it on our wonderful Louisiana roads. Great ride on the highway, but the back roads that are not maintained, you need the clearance.
Just my input. If your roads are all smooth and well maintained, no problems.

 

That's really the biggest negative for me. I don't do any serious offroading, but when hunting season comes along, I do hit some pretty rough old dirt roads. I'm not sure it'll be quite high enough for me.

 

Where in Louisiana are you? Im in BR. I agree though, a big part of the reason for me getting the truck was the horrible roads here (minus the MAJOR roads....those are actually pretty nice)

 

Shreveport

 

I'm in BR.

 

I don't think I could ever drive a Ridgeline, I'd be embarrassed as a man every time I pulled up beside a real "truck".

 

I pulled in to a Honda dealer yesterday to look at a 2017 Ridgeline they have on their lot. Ugly and can be considered a truck only in the strictest sense. I'm sure it rides great, but that's not quite so important to me I guess. I was bummed I even pulled in to look since it was a busy roadway and took me 5 minutes to get back out.

 

Maybe you just need to drive the 2017?

 

Maybe....honestly haven't been in very many hondas but I have been in a wide variety over many years from 98 accords to 16 pilots. not saying that they aren't comfortable or sporty, just that they didn't feel very fun.

how do you like yours?

 

Well if your comfortable going hunting in a Soccer Mom Truck... But hey I won't point and laugh (when your looking. )

 

Hey. yeah, I remember you telling me that a while back...we probably pass each other fairly often, as I work off of Sherwood also