Redesigned 2017 Honda Ridgeline: I don't want to like it, but...

[Kaido]

...it looks so practical

http://future-cars.honda.com/new-ridgeline/

Features & models: (PDF)

http://future-cars.honda.com/images/future-cars/new-ridgeline/Ridgeline_FeatureHighlights.pdf

With the updated design, it's now a truck with basically a short bed (64" long & 60" wide). I actually got really interested when I first saw it because no one is really making "small" trucks anymore (technically it's a mid-sized, but c'mon). No more Ford Rangers, 'compact' Tacomas, etc. Features I like about the new Ridgeline:

1. It's a Honda. You know it's going to last & run forever.

2. Hondas have amazing build quality. I've had a '10 Fit & a '13 Civic and have nothing but good things to say about them. Tight, strong designs.

3. The trunk bed is actually really interesting. For starter, the tailgate swings down like normal, but can also open sideways to the left, so you have your choice of how to load stuff. This is handy because there's a hidden trunk in the rear, which houses both a spare tire & a holding area for stuff like groceries; the trunk itself is waterproof & can hold up to 82-quarts, which makes it useful for holding ice & drinks because there's a drain plug on the bottom! Also, the side panels have audio exciters, so it basically has some outdoor speakers built-in for tailgating (curious to see how those sound IRL, reviews say it's so-so but it's decently loud - also works off Bluetooth). There is also an optional 400-watt inverter available as a built-in option for the trunk (one of the photos had it powering a 60" LED screen, along with playing music from the bed speaker system). Also, the bed is composite instead of metal, so it won't get dented like metal beds.

4. AWD available. FWD (!) otherwise.

5. Automatic only (6-speed), but at least it has radar cruise control, which makes it worth it

6. 19/26 FWD, 18/25 AWD.

7. Rear seat is similar to the Magic Seat in the Honda Fit. Doesn't flip down, but does flip up to let you put tall skinny stuff in the back. 60/40 split too; can fit a bike (with front tire!) with both rear seats up. Also, no hump in the middle (unibody design).

8. 280hp V-6 i-VTEC engine with 262 lb-ft torque (same engine as the '16 Pilot).

9. Towing: 3,500 pounds for FWD & 5,000 pounds for AWD. Just over 1,500 pounds payload.

10. Car-like driving experience. One review said it feels more like a CR-V than a truck.

11. Starting price is $30k (can also buy a Pilot for that...) up to ~$43k

12. Available moonroof

13. Unibody (not a body-on-frame truck). Also has a multi-link rear independent suspension (not a solid rear axle). Also, torque vectoring.

Video review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmnsy54Ohmk

Overall, that's a pretty refined truck. It's definitely not macho, but if you're coming from a car or SUV, then it's the nicest transition truck I've ever seen.

 

[Herr Kutz]

How large of a bike can you fit in the rear with the front tire still attached? One of the main reasons I'm not considering a truck to replace my versa is that I didn't think it would be very easy to lock my bike in the rear seat area without taking a wheel off. Heck, my versa can fit 2 bikes inside without taking off any wheels which is excellent if you need to go into a store or are on a road trip and don't want to leave your bikes too vulnerable to theft.

 

[twinrider1]

Just don't get a flat tire when your bed is full of mulch or lumber. Granted, the target market for these probably isn't going to have a full bed very often.

 

[lxskllr]

Just don't get a flat tire when your bed is full of mulch or lumber. Granted, the target market for these probably isn't going to have a full bed very often.

Damn! Flat tire. Wonder where the spare is? ...

Pulls out owner's manual....

!@$#!

:^D

 

[Kaido]

Just don't get a flat tire when your bed is full of mulch or lumber. Granted, the target market for these probably isn't going to have a full bed very often.

In the video review above, they said that while it's not a full-sized spare, it can handle a load & towing. But yeah, the idea is getting to it They did show off a special hook in the bed where you can attach a full-sized spare right behind the rear window in the bed, so it's available if you need it.

 

[Kaido]

A good feature walkthrough here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNAsXWnFtic

 

[tortillasoup]

Still a large if not larger pig than the previous generation.

 

[Yuriman]

Looks like a really great truck for people who don't use their trucks as trucks (which is the vast majority).

 

[ponyo]

Looks like CRV. If you want a truck, get a truck. If you want SUV, get a SUV. This is neither and overpriced.

 

[Zivic]

i think a decent vehicle but overpriced by 7k imho

 

[NutBucket]

Just don't get a flat tire when your bed is full of mulch or lumber. Granted, the target market for trucks probably isn't going to have a full bed very often.

Fixed that for you.

 

[zerocool84]

Unfortunately it won't sell well because trucks have their macho image and this is the opposite of that. It's a great truck but it won't sell well.

 

[Jimzz]

Unfortunately it won't sell well because trucks have their macho image and this is the opposite of that. It's a great truck but it won't sell well.

No its not a great truck, its a average minivan with a open rear.


So it gets truck gas mileage with the tow capacity of a Camry. :thumbsdown:

 

[NutBucket]

Again, 90% of truck owners don't tow. Zerocool nailed it. It's a great vehicle but people don't want to admit they need a minivan/suv instead of a truck.

 

[Kaido]

No its not a great truck, its a average minivan with a open rear.


So it gets truck gas mileage with the tow capacity of a Camry. :thumbsdown:

I think it's a good pickup truck. It's not a work truck. But that's my point in the OP...no one is really making a basic, reasonably compact pickup truck anymore. Just for Home Depot runs & stuff around the house.

I like it.

 

[MtnMan]

Picture of the box in the back seat proves that it is still not a truck.

 

[xaeniac]

nice but pricey. i like. too bad it is not available in MT.

 

[zerocool84]

This article covered it pretty well from Jalopnik:

What I learned from this experience is simple: most pickup truck owners don’t care what they need. They care only what they*want. In fact, after careful study into the matter, I’ve determined that there are two primary questions potential pickup buyers ask when they show up at the dealer. Number one:*Do you have a bigger one?*And number two:Can you finance me?

And this brings us back to the problem with the Ridgeline. It seems comfortable. It looks good. It has a roomy interior. It has a powerful V6. It has a large bed*that beats most competitors. But is that enough for truck owners? Hell no! Most pickup owners will look at the Ridgeline and laugh, as they cruise around in their big, manly, full-size, V8-powered trucks, getting 12 miles per gallon because occasionally they have to carry a chair.

http://jalopnik.com/if-the-honda-ridgeline-fails-its-because-pickup-truck-b-1752719068

 

[NutBucket]

Picture of the box in the back seat proves that it is still not a truck.

I don't understand your point. Any "real" crew cab truck can do the same thing, or even extended cab for that matter.

 

[NutBucket]

nice but pricey. i like. too bad it is not available in MT.

Have you priced a Tacoma? It's pretty similar really.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I don't understand your point. Any "real" crew cab truck can do the same thing, or even extended cab for that matter.

This, my Silverado extended cab does that.

If he wants to complain about it not being a real truck that seems to be an odd thing to single out. Being unibody and FWD are far bigger reasons it isn't a real truck, but the Ridgeline was never meant to be, really. It is a crossover with a bed in the back. Not necessarily a bad thing, just a different target.

 

[Zivic]

Have you priced a Tacoma? It's pretty similar really.

a tacoma starts at 23.6k.... ridgline @ 30k+

taco can tow 6600-6800 vs 5000


taco is much more capable vehicle with proper 4 wheel drive and body on frame

 

[NutBucket]

A 23k Taco is a 4 cylinder stripper basically. Add a V, 4wd and some features and you're in the same range.

 

[foghorn67]

This article covered it pretty well from Jalopnik:



http://jalopnik.com/if-the-honda-ridgeline-fails-its-because-pickup-truck-b-1752719068

Jalopnik is dumb when it comes to trucks.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Again, 90% of truck owners don't tow. Zerocool nailed it. It's a great vehicle but people don't want to admit they need a minivan/suv instead of a truck.

It's actually a poor value for a truck. My truck is a 16 supercab f150. I paid 31k for it and it's 4 wheel drive, ecoboost 325hp 375tq, has sync, upgraded wheels and the fx4 offroad package. To boot the 2 wheel drive f150s get as good as mpg as the ridgeline and have an all aluminum body as well. Being a honda it's not going to be discounted much if at all. Tell me why I'd pay more for a smaller truck that tows less, less payload, and is a much smaller vehicle? Especially when the smaller vehicle doesn't even get better mpg? No comparison IMO. And exactly why the ridgeline won't sell. Not because of ego. The American trucks are better made and better value. End of story.