Wondering what you all think of the Honda Ridgeline?http://trucks.about.com/library/photo/bl_ridgeline_sema_gal01.htm

:puke: Candidly, it reminds me of an Izuzu. Honda needs to stick to cars and sports cars.

Don't like it. When it comes to trucks I'm a real American fan - they know their stuff.

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
Don't like it. When it comes to trucks I'm a real American fan - they know their stuff.


Well put. If I want a truck, I'm going to Ford or Chevy----possibly Dodge since they have the Hemi :thmsup:

chevy and dodge might know what they are doing, but ford does not... I bought my accord after my 2000 F150 @ 62000 miles roughly; threw 2 rods with no apparent reason at all. If honda can make em like nissan and Toyota can then I might consider buying one.

:headbash: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :scratch: :censored: :eek: :confused: :rolleyes:

love honda's, but that thing is soooo damned ugly.... :puke:

A joke that will hopefully disappear from the lineup quickly!

It took awhile for Civic and Accord to get where they are today.

The Pilot SUV is pretty darn good for a 1st edition.

I would not be surprised if Honda can make a decent pickup, even if it is only designed for the urban dweller.

Watch for some high-powered, high-mileage hybrid to shake things up. (Just speculation.)

Honda's biggest problem is there are not enough dealers in the rural areas to make a pickup truck a viable option over the big 3.

Honda is going to have to do some serious discounting and marketing to sell this one. I just don't see die hard truck buyers dumping their GMC, Ford, Dodge, Toyota and Nissan to buy the Ridgeline. If you want to know how tuff it is to break into the truck market just ask Nissan(Titan).

i think they may have a small chance to survive in the market... the key is that they aren't relying on the truck segment to hold up the rest of the line of their products. plus there are the die-hard honda fans that will buy it over the other options just because it is a honda.

it may be fugly, but i'd probably buy it over any of the gmc, ford, or dodge trucks if i was ever considering a truck... sorry, those makes just don't sit well with me in ANY segment of vehicles! but in the truck segment up i might have to look into toyota~based solely on looks.... :rolleyes:

I don't think the 4 door midgate pickup idea is really a big hit, so it shouldn't sell all that well to begin with. What Honda should really target is the big honkin' V8 with a robust rumble, off-road 31" wheels and tires, 2 speed transfer case, high step in height, and 8000+lb tow capacity, at the very least. Even then, very few people will take a look at Honda; consider how staunchly people will defend their brand (Ford, GM, Mopar) even vs. other American companies, hell will freeze over before they buy a Japanese truck.

I don't see why Honda is so against developing the V8. I mean, damn, do they think it's a sin or what? It can't possibly development costs, because you could have applications in the RL, NSX, TL, Ridgeline, Pilot, heck even maybe the Odyssey or even something higher than the RL. What's the hold up???

And how about a REAL transmission to put into the Ridgeline? Are you joking...they're going to use the standard 5-speed auto? The one that's had so many problems in the past on the Odyssey and Pilot? The tow capacity on this thing should be 2000lbs or less, though they're probably going to make it 3500 and deal with all the tranny problems later.

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650


I don't see why Honda is so against developing the V8. I mean, damn, do they think it's a sin or what? It can't possibly development costs, because you could have applications in the RL, NSX, TL, Ridgeline, Pilot, heck even maybe the Odyssey or even something higher than the RL. What's the hold up???



i think it simply comes from the mindset that bigger isn't always better..... ;)

... but do we really need another motorized penis extension??

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
..snip What Honda should really target is the big honkin' V8 with a robust rumble, off-road 31" wheels and tires, 2 speed transfer case, high step in height, and 8000+lb tow capacity, at the very least.

Originally posted by lbjgh
... but do we really need another motorized penis extension??

If Honda wants to make money then yes they better start making motorized penis extenders.

first thing i thought of when i saw the side view was "Mitsubishi Avalanche".

I hate trucks and SUV's. I think Honda should stick to cars. That's where they do best. The Odyssey is the only "light truck" in the Honda lineup that I like.

Also, when people think trucks, they think American (even if it's made in Canada or Mexico)- Ford, Dodge, Chevy.

I don't like this design either.

Nissan makes a great small, cheap pickup (Frontier) and given time the larger Titan will do very well also. I had a 2000 Frontier and really liked it. Nothing fancy, but a good, reliable, inexpensive small truck. I'm looking forward to this years redesigned '05 Frontier, now supposedly a mid-sized pickup, much more so than this albatross from Honda.

The 05 Frontier will probably replace my 95 Sonoma but probably in 06 after the bugs are worked out.

Same here, I don't buy 1st year designs. Not from Honda, Nissan or anyone else. My 2000 was the last year of that run.
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The Ridgeline's size doesn't appear to compete with the Big 3's full size domination. Rather it would be an alternative to Nissan and Toyota's similar small-truck offerings. In that respect it may do well.

Regarding being "fugly" (LOL), perhaps it is, but has anyone heard of the Element?! I can't believe how well that red-headed stepchild is selling. Just goes to show that Honda may be smarter than we are ;)

Maybe Honda is perhaps trying to compete with the smaller trucks, I don't know - but this is not where the money and reputation is to be made from trucks.

When they made the Element, I specifically remember that the press release said they were targetting 22 year old jobless males with it. Some smart corporation Honda is to try to sell a near $20,000 vehicle to kids with no jobs but are probably still paying off college loans - ya think? And, if you look around, most Element's are are driven by older folks, probably with a median age of over 35, and with kids. I'd say Honda missed the mark with the Element - just like they did with the forthcoming Ridgeline.

i'm sure it will still sell, maybe just not to the sterotypical truck market!

Originally posted by Dave
first thing i thought of when i saw the side view was "Mitsubishi Avalanche".

Freaky, I thought exactly the same thing.

Originally posted by Dave
first thing i thought of when i saw the side view was "Mitsubishi Avalanche".


Originally posted by 10ring
[B]Freaky, I thought exactly the same thing.

Ditto

Well now it's officially been released in production form...it's no goood! Check out VTEC.net for pics, the interior is almost an exact copy of the Chevy/GMC and Dodge...

I think that they missed the boat. I realize that 4 door trucks are popular but this just doesn't appear to be a "truck". It's a stylized vehicle to haul home a few bags of manure for the garden, not a 1/2 ton of rocks to make a walkway.

I'm sure that other versions are enroute but it appears too civilized for me. When you need a pickemuptruck you need a real pickumuptruck. It looks like a miniturized Chevy Avalanche which, in my opinion, tops the truck fugly scale.

i dont think it looks all that great either. but Honda is targeting a niche market for this truck. they are not tareting buyers of the more down to business F150, Ram, silverado, etc.

the target audiance is basically suburban families who want the comfort of a car / crossover SUV, but may occasionally want or need a pickup bed for some light duty stuff. for these families, 95% of the time, the pickup bed will not be used at all, but the other 5% they may need to buy / haul / carry stuff that's not reall suitable for the interior of their $30k+ SUV like plywood, concrete mix, or maybe dirt bikes and stuff like that. these people dont want an all out truck because the 95% of the time they're not using the "truck" part, they still want the comfort, amenities, and ride quality of a nice car/crossover SUV.

who knows how many people are in this "niche" market? Honda plans to sell 50,000 units for the first year of release. we'll see in a year if it sinks or swims...

Last October we shipped out 2 of this to Japan, for testing purposes. I had a chance to check it out, DON'T LIKE IT!
Being an owner of an american full size truck , I can tell you right now that this truck cannot complete with the big boys. This is a Uni-body constructed truck not like the frame & ladder type that chevy, dodge, ford or toyota has. This type of truck IMHO is geared mainly for urbanites. Anybody remember the Volkswagen mini truck from the eighties? Dead & Buried!

Originally posted by geni01
...Being an owner of an american full size truck , I can tell you right now that this truck cannot complete with the big boys.

it doesnt

Originally posted by geni01
This type of truck IMHO is geared mainly for urbanites.

yes it is.

read my post above..:rolleyes:

Being able to tow 5K & seat several, plus have Honda dependability..... I don't know... it could have promise.... right now, I think we're more leaning towards waiting to see what changes they make in the Pilots. I like seating 8 & having the cargo inside..... there's very few times we need a "pick up"......

Our Ol' Silverado only got about 10 mpg.... closer to 20 sure sounds better for taking off to water ski & camp!:D I miss 454 roar, but the Pilot pulls the boat as easy. I miss the nearly one ton capacity, but I like hauling more people...

I do think the Ridgeline is UGLY!!

But we've learned our lesson in buying for looks.....;)

I was also quite surprised that the Ridgeline will be able to tow 5k...must be some new tranny in there, otherwise I wouldn't recommend it lol

That's only 500 more than the current Pilot... it's got the newer intake with 15 more hp. I think the rest is the same.... The Pilot has honestly surprised us with how easy it tows! It actually goes up the Antioch bridge as easy or easier with the boat behind it as the Chevy did with it's 454! It was amazing the first time!:D

Hi Princess:

___This is a repost of what I posted over at Temple of VTEC late last night … Our MDX doesn’t tow worth a damn in my experience …

The only time I towed the Landscape trailer (dually w/ the mowers were still on it) with the 03 MDX was to an Acura Group meet ~ 10 miles from home. Not only did I receive a paltry 12 mpg for the round trip, the MDX was completely out of its element with the tranny not knowing what gear it should be in and it handled like $h1t when towing just 3,500 #’s (I had maybe 400 - 500 #’s of picnic supplies as well). The smallish 4-banger Ranger w/ a stick has pulled similar loads and feels far more secure then the MDX did for whatever reason? Hitch heights on both are ~ equal with the dropdown ball mount on the X matching the straight away on the Ranger. I cannot add much more other then that the Ridgeline and the MDX are two different animals of similar lineage. In order for the Ridgeline to survive, I hope Honda has improved upon the its vehicle dynamics when towing over and above the X or there are going to be some PO Ridgeline owners trying to tow their 4,500 # boat to the launch on Day 1 of the boating season this coming spring.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes

Really? I'd been hearing mostly good thigs from owners...

The bridge I mentioned has got a steep incline. Steeper than a launch ramp. Many locals use it as a test drive area when purchasing vehicles. We cruise up it pulling our 20', 3500 lb. boat, plus gear without breaking a sweat. It FEELS like it's going slow, but the speedometer says otherwise. 60 is done with ease. Never have had a problem at the ramps either.

At home he missed the driveway & pushed the trailer up & over the curb. That's one of those straight up kind, 6".

Our trailer is a VERY good one & does roll nicely. It's got duel axels & it's own brakes. He puts a pin in the brakes to turn them off when backing uphill. There's a picture of it in the gallery.

I can only speak from our experience. So far it's been wonderful! There is a drop in gas mileage. We do have non-OEM tires too, so our MPG is a little less on a daily basis anyway.... only 17-20 in the commute. Slightly higher on the freeway.

I like the looks of the Pilot better than the Ridgeline, but I had to get used to the Pilot too....

I have heard that camp trailers are harder to pull than the same weight boat because of the way the weight is distributed.... but not owning a camp trailer, I don't know if it's true. We put some of our gear in the Pilot so we're not pulling ALL the weight. I don't knowif it makes a difference.

February 03, 2005

Innovative four-door truck with In-Bed Trunk™ delivers class-leading safety features and four-wheel drive as standard equipment on all models

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today announced pricing for the all-new Honda Ridgeline truck, scheduled to make its debut at Honda dealerships nationwide on March 1. The 2006 Ridgeline will be available in three trim levels starting with the well equipped RT, the fully featured RTS and the luxury-oriented RTL. Prices will range from $27,700 for the RT up to $31,490 for the RTL.

RTL models may also be equipped with a Moonroof, XM Satellite Radio and Honda’s satellite-linked Navigation System with Advanced Voice Recognition. “Honda is entering the truck market with a product that delivers a combination of performance, features, value and refinement unique in the truck segment,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “The Ridgeline has all the utility of a half-ton truck while maintaining the fundamental Honda qualities of being fun-to-drive, environmentally responsible and safe, with characteristic Honda dependability, quality and reliability.”

All Ridgeline models will come with a long list of standard comfort and convenience features including the most comprehensive list of standard safety equipment in its class. In keeping with Honda’s industry-leading ‘Safety for Everyone’ initiative, all Ridgeline trucks are equipped with standard anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver’s and front passenger’s Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags, driver’s and front passenger’s side airbags (passenger side with Occupant Detection System), two-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Additional standard features on all Ridgeline models include a 255-horsepower VTEC V-6 engine; 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission; advanced Variable Torque Management four-wheel drive system; air conditioning; tilt steering wheel; power side windows, power sliding rear window and door locks; cruise control; keyless entry; automatic heated wiper zone; 6-speaker 100-watt audio system with CD player; 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with underseat storage; all-weather floor mats; 5-foot cargo bed with six heavy duty tie down cleats and 4 bed lights; an 8.5 cubic foot secure, lockable In-Bed Trunk™; and dual-action tailgate.

All models also come equipped ready to tow with standard transmission and oil coolers, heavy duty brakes, dual radiator fans, an exclusive fresh air intake system for improved towing performance in hot weather conditions, and pre-wiring for 4- and 7-pin trailer hook up.

The Ridgeline RTS adds alloy wheels, a seven-speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer and six-disc, in-dash audio system with steering wheel controls, dual zone automatic climate control and an eight-way power driver’s seat.

The Ridgeline RTL adds leather seating surfaces, HomeLink® remote system, an interior compass in the rearview mirror and heated front seats and an available power moonroof. Models with the power moonroof are equipped with standard XM® Satellite Radio and are available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System.

The mid-size Ridgeline introduces a number of innovative and exclusive new features to the half-ton truck segment including a secure, lockable In-Bed Trunk with room enough to store a 72-quart cooler, three sets of golf bags or other bulky items under the pickup bed; a dual action tailgate that allows for easy loading and unloading of the In-Bed Trunk and truck bed; and the segment’s first fully independent four-wheel suspension.

Its unique body architecture, featuring two fully-boxed longitudinal frame rails and seven high strength steel cross members in a unitized body construction, delivers vastly superior body rigidity and provides the foundation for the Ridgeline’s spacious interior cabin and bed, outstanding safety performance and class-leading ride and handling performance.

2006 Honda Ridgeline Highlights

* Four-Door Cab Design with spacious 5-passenger seating and re-configurable second row seating for people and/or cargo
* 5-foot Steel Reinforced Composite (SRC) bed with six integrated heavy duty-tie down cleats and 1100-pound (1/2-ton) bed payload capacity, with minimal wheel well intrusion and dual action tailgate
* Secure, lockable In-Bed Trunk
* 255-horsepower, 3.5-liter SOHC VTEC V-6 engine with 252 lb.-ft. of torque
* EPA fuel economy ratings of 16/21 for city/highway driving with a 22-gallon fuel tank and a maximum driving range of 462 miles
* Integrated closed-box frame with unibody construction offers up to 20 times the torsional rigidity of traditional body-on-frame truck designs
* Best-in-class 1,550-pound total vehicle payload capacity
* Independent front and rear suspension for improved ride and handling
* True 5,000 lb. towing capability with standard transmission and steering coolers with trailer pre-wiring factory installed
* Advanced VTM-4 four-wheel-drive with lock mode and medium duty off-road capability

You know I'm really totally surprised that Dodge hasn't whacked Honda over the head with a huge lawsuit yet, considering the fact that RT is normally associated with Dodge vehicles. Check out the Neon R/T, Dakota R/T, Intrepid R/T, Stratus R/T, Viper RT-10, not to mention the whole list of SRT-4/8/10's coming out.

Well, I will probably not make any new friends off my comments, but I love the ridgeline. I liked the Avalanche, but the Ridgie is much better, IMHO. I have never owned a "pickemup" truck, never had the need with a family of 4 (my current Montana hauls just as much as my neighbor's F-150, it's just not as easy to clean up).

But the Ridgeline fills the gap nicely between suburban van & gas-guzzling, honkin-big trucks. Gas mileage is good, not great, and it hauls enough stuff for the average homeowner, but it will never become a contractor's choice for the jobsite or anything.

It is THE most comfortable pickup I have ever driven, nice features inside and out, plenty of room for the family of 4... I just wish it got about 5 mpg more on the gas.

I plan on owning one, in fact I was saving my duckies when I ran across an Accord deal too good to pass up (still waiting on the seller to find another car so I can buy her Honda), but was gonna wait until late fall or probably next year, because as mentioned, I don't want a first-run of any vehicle, plus one of these days, they will have to start offering rebates or coming off the high price somehow.

It shocks me to hear loyal Honda owners speaking like this about the Ridge... the local dealership told me that most of the buyers seemed to be non-Honda owners before they got the Ridge. I for one love it, and look forward to getting one next year, unless some hideous problems crop up with it.

F6

I'll be your friend. :D

I like the Ridgeline now that I'm getting used to the looks more.... I do like the Pilot better though....& it fits our needs more. IF I was needing a pickmup truck, we'd probably go with the Ridgeline. I like the little extras they have.

Not going to replace my ranger with the fugly ridgeline. looks like next ruck will be a tacoma if i can get in and out of a toyota dealship without hurting somebody. also waiting to see what ford will do to ranger in its next way over due rework.

Ridgeline looks much better in person IMO. Enough so that I would consider owning one (if I ever needed a truck), seeing how every car magazine is going gaga over how it drives.

Here's another one who likes the Ridgeline. A lot of people want a truck just for the sake of saying they own a truck. But they don't really *need* a truck. Just something with a bed that can haul the occasional load of stuff home from Lowe's or Home Depot. The rest of the time, they want a civil vehicle that gets respectable mileage and can haul their stuff. The Ridgeline fills that niche perfectly. It cannot, and was not meant to, compete with the big boys. But I'll bet they're going to sell just about every one of them they can shove out the factory door.

But I'll bet they're going to sell just about every one of them they can shove out the factory door.

They're only planning on 50,000 of them in the USA, which isn't even a dent compared to the over 1 million Ford sells of the F-series combined.