Why did Toyota decline to play?

Nope, I refuse to buy any of this justification for the Ridgeline. It isn't a truck, it's a minivan. The base model Ridgeline is front wheel drive! What happens when you max out the payload in the bed of a pickup that is front drive? Trucks are designed to carry extra weight in the bed (or from a trailer) over the drive wheels for a reason. The Ridgeline is the equivalent of the old VW Rabbit pickups except not as cool. Just because it "checks boxes" for some subset of our brainwashed society doesn't make it something it's not. Anyone who buys a Ridgeline doesn't need a truck, period. It isn't a pickup, it's a minivan with optional AWD.

 

Bah, this is still the best truck ever made:

 

Regardless of how you use your truck, tow capacity on mid sized trucks is not what the subject truck manufactures use as a selling point. If how much you can tow is of concern, consumers will look at full sized and larger trucks. Auto manufactures make damm sure you know how much a full sized truck can tow. It’s a midsized truck comparison, and if you set off-road abilities aside, it’s a fair comparison for many consumers which is what i was trying to articulate in my post.

I love my Tacoma. It was the closest i could get to a jeep but still have the quality i have come to expect when spending hard earned money (no offense FJ Cruiser).

I’m fortunate enough to have a Tundra as well and wouldn’t even consider towing my 35” camper with the Tacoma for obvious reasons. Towing that camper with a full sized truck is already a bit sketchy as tow ratings are a bit inflated.

 

Out on the mountain trails in the western US...I don't see any ridgeline "trucks". Most all jeeps, tacomas, 4runners, etc...no stinking ridgeline "trucks"

 

I would still own my '17 Ridgeline if it weren't so freaking ugly. Actually, uninspired and dispassionate would be better words. It was superior to my current Taco in almost every way for a normal, average user - better ride, handling, acceleration, interior finish, amenities, road noise, tech, interior space, etc. Equal in reliability and hauling capacity (for my non-professional use). I would never take it offroad, I have Jeeps for that. But it stirred no emotion whatsoever, and life is too short to drive boring vehicles. Love my '15 Tacoma. YMMV.

 

I'm more confused by the posters in this thread saying midsized trucks aren't for towing and I should get a larger truck. Someone should write Toyota (and all the other midsized truck manufacturers) and let them know they don't need to include tow ratings of 6,000+ lbs.

 

Polls are Polls, as someone here said, mostly click-bait.
The average buying public now has to make choices on really important things like:

My car/suv/minivan/whatever now is available with 6 USB ports!!
My car/suv/minivan/whatever now is available with 19 speakers!!
My car/suv/minivan/whatever now has the largest touch screen on the market...

ad nauseam.

and jeez, don't get me started on the efing Tailgate configurations and cupholders...haha.

 

can it fit 35's w/o rubbing?

 

Yes

 

Hmmm...I dunno...

 

I disagree with statement that suggests my Tacoma is not suited for real work. I haul and tow the max with my Tacoma regularly and it doesn't bat an eye. This truck is every bit 2/3 of a full size. I consider my Tacoma a compact heavy duty.

 

More power to you man

 

No need to enter any competitions when your product is already outselling the others 3 to 1 (or more).
Sure it would have been good sportsmanship for Toyota to participate, but that would cost $40k+ to donate a truck and remember the CEOs have to get their bonuses.

 

I recently had a 2018 OR as a rental while my 2007 was having a frame replacement. I couldn't wait to get it back. I totally agree with you.

 

As someone that had a 2nd gen and upgraded to a 3rd gen, I have to disagree with your statement. It is definitely not a downgrade. I'd love to hear specific examples as to why you think it is.

 

sounds like a challenge to me. It'd be nice to have our own side by side 2nd vs 3rd gen Tacomas… who's donating?

 

I drove a 3rd Gen for a week while my 2nd Gen was being repaired. It drove like a dog, and I had to go full throttle to get to freeway speed. I can say from driving both that my 2nd Gen also has better low end torque, and thats where you need it with a truck.

 

Transmission feels bulky in the 3rd gen. I think they may have had software issues. That was a huge issue for me.