What would Honda have to do to Snag Tacoma Buyers

"Bit narrow minded," sounds like every other Tacoma owner.

 

Nice truck. It'll do well for folks in town who need a four seater and a box. It'll be interesting to see how Honda promotes it. Hopefully they don't go after the full sized market again because last time that hurt them. It'll be interesting to see the base trims too. That interior looks great but I'm guessing that's the 45-50k loaded up model. Still better than the limited as far a features go of course.

 

BTW I don't see this truck going after toyota target market. The 20-30 crowd isn't going to jump at that truck. Anyone using the box should pull the spare out before going anywhere dicey. P rated tires are easy to puncture at the dump, on a logging road, etc

 

Swears was saying that most Tacoma owners are 50 and older, though it seems the marketing team is going after the younger gen.

Anyone have the real data on that?

 

I definitely will test drive it. I am thinking $40K plus though and I don't view any midsize truck worth over even $35K. Trucks are mostly sheet metal and a huge profit for manufacturers, A $40K midsize (or full size non diesel , truck is just crazy money) IMO

However the Honda is an SUV with a bed. So it will likely cost more than a like equipt Tacoma. Better ride likely. All the benefits of a Pilot or 4 Runner without the truck like ride for those who traverse snowy streets and dirt roads only.

 

The Tacoma is geared for someone who is ~25. The Ridgeline is geared for someone who is ~45. One truck offers OR packages, simple design, and an agrees I've look. The other is a CUV with a box. I'm not knocking either approach but that is what it is.

 

One thing I really like is the ability to lay a full sheet of plywood down. There's no good way to do that in any of the BOF mid sizes.

 

Looks a little too feminine for my liking but not bad overall. I wonder how many husbands will get this as a compromise because their wife did not want a Tacoma? haha. Back seat looks way roomier than the Tacoma. Not bad, just not my style.

 

That's odd. I can't remember seeing any 55 or older bros wearing flat bill hats and saggy past the knee shorts idling through the mall parking lots..

 

I fixed for ya ...

I think Thats exactly where they will go for market.
I would bet that A lot of 20-30 yearl olds crowd will jump because its Honda. There are much more mod-ed Civics, Accords, CR-Vs and Elements than Camry, Solaras, or Rav4.
So Honda has City market with Young people cornered. Any large city is full of youngsters with their sup tap Hondas.

There is 15 million babyboomers that are retiring. A lot will look at Honda more likely purchase than Tacoma because offers AWD mode or FWD mode.
That Honda will take massive bite out of the Toyota.
People buying GM twins are less likely to buy Toyota or Honda, and more likely to buy F150 so that crowd is pretty much out of reach.
I think Toyota completely blew it, but that will really show in next couple years. Payload on that Ridgeline is already higher than Tacoma and they said Towing will be right up top with class leading which is 7600 LB for Diesel Colorado.

Last nail to coffin will be Ranger...

 

Good point. At first I thought, good idea. But now, maybe not.

 

Honestly if you are thinking in that line you'd probably be better off with a full sized truck and a 6 foot box.

 

I was kind of hoping for some different sheet metal to differentiate it from the Pilot a little. Kind of like how the Chevy Tahoe is no longer just a chopped Silverado. I am sure they share a ton of parts but the looks of the Tahoe are now different from their full size trucks. Oh well, not my cup of tea but more competition is never bad.

 

Um, no one will be modding a 4 door short box unibody truck with an Accord engine. It won't be fast, stylish, cool or functional lol. This truck is tuned to the older generation much like Hondas CUV and mini van line.

 

It was odd that I heard Swears state that, because it sure seems like the current marking is going after the younger crowd. While I do see a lot of older guys driving Tacomas, what the average age is, I don't know.

I do turn 44 this spring (damn, already! ) The Ridgeline does peak my interest. The wife refuses to let me get a Suby, she says it would look like I totally gave up on life.

Dunno, while I use my Tacoma mostly as a DD, I do like to go well off the beaten path on the weekends. The Honda won't do it as well. Though I am keeping my current Taco, the Honda might be a good addition to it. We will see how they price them.

 

It's a good idea for the average person who might use the box 1-2 times a year for something that will make getting to the spare a pita. For in town folks it's fine. For those of us used to plugging tires... yeah it is not a good design.

 

I love it! Makes Toyota's 2016 "redesign" look like a bad joke. Looks like Honda is taking the midsize market seriously.

 

I don't think by hacking the rear off a Pilot means they are taking it seriously. I think it means they want a piece of the pie. The auto industry is thriving again and people want smaller trucks again. 2 birds with one stone was Honda's thinking.

 

The truck should be ok on logging trails. I'd be a bit sketched out because there likely won't be much support for skid plates or such things and I know AWD systems cannot usually tolerate much larger or heavier tires. The tacoma is a better fit for the offroad explorer, but for the occasional OR camper who sticks to well developed gravel it should be fine.

 

Exactly. BTW toyota is selling record numbers of Tacoma's in Canada in a down economy... seems people like the 2016 just fine.