The Tacoma is 2nd best used midsize pick up

I don’t doubt that it has its own capabilities. But I hate seeing them compared in the same segment as regular trucks. I feel it’s two different classes aimed at two different customer bases. It’s not a fair and accurate assessment ti say the Ridgeline is better than the Tacoma or the Tacoma is better than the Ridgeline.

It would be like comparing a luxury car to a sports car. Sure you can beef up the motor probably get better MPGs, too. Probably even have a better ride. But they are two different segments.

As for capabilities, there just is no way that a Ridgeline 4WD (with a FWD bias) is going to have better capabilities than the Taco. Which probably why you don’t see any instances of a Ridgeline taking heavy trails outside the dirt road to a campsite.

Mind you, I’m not fanboy-ing Tacomas. They have their issues that drive me nuts. But to say the Ridgeline is better is like comparing apples to oranges.

 

And that's essentially what Honda as done with the Ridgeline.....with it's modified Pilot platform.....which has some Oddessy DNA in it as well.

Ralph Naider helped to put a knife in all things Corvair. So the stable mates died alone with it.

 

Sure that is true.

But you don’t need to be rock crawling to show how shitty ridgeline is off-road. Why do you think nobody builds ridgelines for off-road? Because they suck in that department.

It is cool that ridgeline has a higher payload though.

FWIW, had a yard of gravel in my taco and had absolutely no issues driving for about 45 mins.

 

I have a pair of 38DDDs waiting on me when I get home. I care not.

 

I think Fuelly has the Ridgeline at 18 MPG overall too

 

Can't push the clutch and shift gears in a RL..

 

Remove it's body from the frame.

JK, there are vehicles for many needs. I actually considered the RL before I bought my Tacoma. RL beat it in interior comfort and ride quality, Tacoma beat it in bed/load/towing. End of the day, I chose desire for the bigger bed and an actual frame for a more truck-like experience.

Also tbh, I would have probably been just as happy in a RL.

As long as we know what we're buying and why, it's all good. To each, their own.

 

Here you go....

 

I am in sales, and coming from a different perspective, this thread helps that your selection process is most heavily waited on the emotional/subjective perspective combined with the functional/logical perspective, both being your perception of the solution a vehicle gives you. Curiously, price/cost doesn't even seem a top consideration. Now if you could just find one that best fits you in stock...

 

Both the Ridgeline and Tacoma have their strengths and weaknesses, it's only better if it's strengths are more suited to what the owner intends to do with it. Rl meets definition of a pick up truck and since it is similar in size to Tacoma then it is worthy of comparison.

 

Six hours of Marketing electives is a dangerous thing, isn't it Steamy?

Product: Meh...
Place: Maybe in metrosexual markets, but here? In Snuff Gully, Texas? Surely you jest.
Price: For me, not at any price
Promotion: That of toasters

"Hey! That Thang gotta' HEMI in it?!!!"
I had this same car in high school. Dodge Demon 340. They ran like scalded dogs!


I bet a buncha' you young bucks never even seen these commercials, have you? THAT's how you identify and target a market. That's how you promote towards your target market.

Ridgeline equivalent commercial:

"Excuse me, I hate to bother you while you are drinking your latte, but does your Ridgeline happen to have lane departure technology in it?"

"Sweet...

 

True. But how many people in this day and age want to do that......or even could do that?

Point taken though.

 

To quote my Ridgeline owing neighbor...."you might get the girls with your Tacoma, but I get the women with my Ridgeline".

Ouch

Personally you can keep the 20 something space cadets. Gimme a seasoned vet.

Now to quote my grandfather..."son, you'll figure out that a 20 year will put a smile on your face. But a 40 year old will put you out of breath".

 

Just get a Pilot. Same towing capacity. Higher Payload. More seating for Bingo Hoe's.

 

My ridgeline didn't make it to 101K never had the chance to replace the timing belt. it had the dreaded #4 cylinder head issue.
oh because it was over 100k it was out of warranty. Issue was only in the 2006 and 2007.

 

Put a smile on my face.

 

Maybe so. But I bet there are plenty of RL owners who say the same thing.

 

Like I said....I'm not some lover of the RL. But haven seen the 2nd gen RL up close and personal, I can see the appeal. If you're the kind of person that needs the utility of a pickup but want a more refined demeanor and the the convenience of AWD....then the RL is a solid choice.

Peace.

 

The Honda Ridgeline is an urban pickup, so 4x4 with Hi and Lo range, locking diff, are not needed.