What about Honda Ridgeliners?

[Dtrail6203]

My husband has always wanted a ridgeliner (the Honda truck) and I wondered if anyone has had any experiences with that truck. We have a Ford F150 and it has been grand, I can not imagine the HOnda being better.

[SPElectronics]

From what I've heard the ridgeline is actually a great truck with a fantastic ride. It isn't as powerful as some of the big boys, but one of my Chevy buddies test drove one and swore it was one of the nicest trucks he's driven. He said he almost bought one, but he wanted a new Tahoe instead, since he needed more interior space and didn't need a "bed" for hauling anything. This is a guy that talks smack about anything that isn't Hummer, Unimog, or Chevy SUV's, so I was very surprised to hear his comments.

However, the only way to know for sure is to go test drive one yourself and see what you think. Everyone has different tastes.

[Graffy]

I owned a Ridgeline for a while. It was the first truck I owned. I'd driven trucks before - rental, work - and can say that the Ridgeline is easily by far the best riding and handling truck you will ever drive, if you appreciate good handling cars. And that is because no matter how much Honda wants to sell it as a truck, it is not a traditional body-on-frame TRUCK. I preferred that. It does truck stuff pretty well although it tows and hauls less than the big three. The in-bed trunk is pure genius, as is the dual action tailgate. I loved that truck, but my significant other had a hard time driving it and so we got a Pilot instead.

As soon as she gets her own new vehicle I plan to trade the Pilot for another Ridgeline. The only thing I will miss is the fully covered storage and additional length of the Pilot when the seats are down.

[hondaden]

I'll chime in and yet another vote for the Ridgeline's superior ride and handling over other trucks it's size. Probably one of the most direct competitors for the Ridgeline in terms of actual exterior design is the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Now while it's easy for me to beat up on the reputation of domestics like Ford, I have driven both the Ridgeline and Sport Trac considerable distances and can say without hesitation, the Ford doesn't hold a candle to the Ridgeline in nearly every fathomable category.

There are several Ridgeline Owners in my neighborhood and all of them have nothing but good things to say, including my next door neighbor who I recall bought one of the first Ridgelines that arrived at the dealership when they debuted as 2006 models in late '05.

My personal family situation, however, would require I opt for the Pilot's extra seating capacity to spread out the kids for my and my wife's sanity on long trips! LOL!

[8695Beaters]

The Ridgeline is a joke. Honda should never have built it. Honda made the Toyoa mistake: The early Tundras were smaller than American trucks, had way less power, and were just as expensive. Nissan got closer with the Titan. Except the weakest link was the rear axle (it's the same axle they use in Jeep Wranglers, the Dana 44. All other full-size trucks use Dana 60s or an equivalent). Also, Nissan doesn't offer cab and bed options on the Titan. No V6, no single cab, and no long bed. Some people need a large truck, but not all the fancy doodads. Toyota is even closer. Except, the new Tundra is just big for big's sake. Size doesn't mean anything if it doesn't have a purpose. Also the Tundra just looks weird. It's not bad, but still not quite what Ford, GM, and Dodge bring to the table.

The Ridgeline is a 1/2 ton truck and competes directly with the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado 1500, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra. All of these trucks use live rear axles suspension. It is stronger for towing, better for off-roading (work trucks don't always drive on asphalt), and cheaper to build and maintain. And with new engineering, they actually ride pretty well. Honda does not offer a V8. This is what kills them the most. Honda's towing and payload capacities are pitiful compared to the other trucks- even with V6s. Also, you can't remove the bed on the Ridgeline. Some people need flatbeds, usually farmers. and while the locking bed on the Ridgeline is cool, the other trucks have figured out how to do the same thing on their beds without lowering payload. Honda doesn't get the truck world. Neither do Nissan or Toyota. But at least Nissan and Toyota are shooting at the right target. The Ridgeline may handle well and ride well, but if you can't use it as a truck...why are you wasting the money?

[Graffy]

If you call the Ridgeline a joke because it doesn't compare favourably to the F150, Sierra, Ram etc, that is like saying a Civic is a joke because it compares poorly to a G37, and Audi A6 or a BMW 5 series.

Contrary to popular belief, Honda did NOT build the Ridgeline to compete in the segment you suggested. Honda is happy if it grabs some sales from any of those trucks, but that is a bonus. Instead, its competition is Dakota, Tacoma, Ranger, Canyon...and Sport Trac as Hondaden indicates.

There is no doubt that if you want a TRUCK truck, the Ridgeline may not be best for you. But (as Honda's research indicated) most folks (and more so Americans than Canadians who tend to favour smaller cars overall) buy more truck than they need. Most don't take their vehicles off-road in a serious way. Most tow less than 5000 pounds. Most require the pure "truck" functionality only seldom.

I love to drive. If I have to drive a truck, I'd want another ridgeline. If I get a quad, for sure I'm getting a Ridgeline. No truck has handling dynamics anything as good. In fact, I wish Honda built an even smaller truck (other than the Acty!). I am not threatened if the guy next to me at the lights is sitting higher than I am in a bigger truck. As you must know, weight is always the enemy in driving dynamics. Plus, although gas is down, I'm happier doing my part for the world driving a more fuel efficient vehicle.

It is not that Honda doesn't get the truck world. The just aren't trying to do the "me too" thing and if you ask me, thats just fine.

[splink48]

agreed that we buy more truck than we need....but most of us like to get what we pay for. The ridgeline is a nice midsize truck....but it carries a fullsize price tag.

Thats probably why you don't see many on the road down here....in the land of trucks and suv's.