So I went to our Honda Dealer today.......

[Mellow]

Yeah, if they ever change the looks to be more truck-like.. that would probably help sales... I'm okay with the looks but when it's coming at you you think it's a minivan and that's a tough thing to get past... I don't tow or haul much... so, if the looks were better... it might have pushed me over the edge more.. I do wish the ranger had the same backseat though... that is a nice feature..

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[RedlandRanger]

Yeah, if they ever change the looks to be more truck-like.. that would probably help sales... I'm okay with the looks but when it's coming at you you think it's a minivan and that's a tough thing to get past... I don't tow or haul much... so, if the looks were better... it might have pushed me over the edge more.. I do wish the ranger had the same backseat though... that is a nice feature..

That back seat is nice, but if Ford did that, it would require the gas tank (as it sits now) to be below the frame rails. I think the current backseat is a compromise of sorts. I doubt there could ever be a lot of space UNDER the seat (a flat bottom like the RL), but I think they could surely make the space more usable and create a 60/40 split. One thing I really like about the Ranger is how Ford tucked EVERYTHING up within the frame rails. Other mid size trucks have stuff sticking down in places.

Everything is a compromise, so you have to pick which compromises work the best for you. For me, it is the Ranger.

 

[Ranger8729]

The Ridgeline is the perfect truck for the truck stuff that a lot of people do, they just don't realize it

A lot of trucks nowadays are used more for a "lifestyle" vehicle and the Ridgeline is great for that, as long as off-roading is not part of that lifestyle.

Carrying kayaks, trips to the Home Depot, getting out in bad weather, Ridgeline is terrific for this.

But it's not quite a "real" truck and you will find its limits if you use it like one.

I remember the early Ridgeline owner who was in construction and traded his F250 Super Duty for a Ridgeline.

He ended up bending the "frame" and buckling the body panels from driving onto construction sites.

While many would immediately think that it would be absurd for a Ridgeline to do the same job a Super Duty was doing, many others will immediately see a lower price + better MPG + everything I do is within the listed specs = Profit! Never mind that in construction, most likely what they do is in actuality much heavier than what they think it is.

This. All this.

80% of the people that buy trucks use them as a "lifestyle" vehicle. I'm guilty of it with my Jeep. WAY over built. Barely used it to it's full potential. I dropped down from a full size search for that reason. In fact, the vast majority of full size truck owners don't even need a full size truck.

I very much could have gotten a Ridgeline. I liked the truck a lot. It checked all my boxes. I did exactly what I needed a truck to do. Even was low enough my older dog could jump up in it!

But I could not get over the styling. I do tow a decent boat, and some landings would be scary with just the AWD. Kayak landings way out in the backwoods would tear apart the undercarriage. Just a donut spare?!?! that's a safety issue. The interior and tech was just BORING and very lacking to me.
So it was between a Ranger and Gladiator, and that Gladiator is almost as ugly as the Ridgeline

 

[Sashimi_Moto]

Its the Honda Pilot of trucks. If you need to tote stuff around that you dont want ‘inside’ your vehicle then boom! - Pilot with a truck bed. I had a similar (but reverse) feeling about my Ford Expedition - it was an F150 for people who wanted a better ride and didn’t want a truck bed.

I’d like to see the TFL guys do an offroad comparison between the Ridgeline and the Pilot.

edit: changed crv to pilot for accuracy

 

[Floyd]

This. All this.

80% of the people that buy trucks use them as a "lifestyle" vehicle. I'm guilty of it with my Jeep. WAY over built. Barely used it to it's full potential. I dropped down from a full size search for that reason. In fact, the vast majority of full size truck owners don't even need a full size truck.

I very much could have gotten a Ridgeline. I liked the truck a lot. It checked all my boxes. I did exactly what I needed a truck to do. Even was low enough my older dog could jump up in it!

But I could not get over the styling. I do tow a decent boat, and some landings would be scary with just the AWD. Kayak landings way out in the backwoods would tear apart the undercarriage. Just a donut spare?!?! that's a safety issue. The interior and tech was just BORING and very lacking to me.
So it was between a Ranger and Gladiator, and that Gladiator is almost as ugly as the Ridgeline

I understand that a full sized spare is a requirement for trucks sold in the U.S.?
Does the Ridgeline really have a donut?

 

[agbulling]

I appreciate that you have done a lot of research, but part of my selection criteria is that it must be an American Company; that is why I bought an Indian Motor cycle. I support American because that supports american steel, american jobs, and keeps american profits in America.

 

[Peter949]

Made in USA was a strong factor for me also. After weighing in what was the best mid size for me at the time of purchase.

 

[MannyS]

I appreciate that you have done a lot of research, but part of my selection criteria is that it must be an American Company; that is why I bought an Indian Motor cycle. I support American because that supports american steel, american jobs, and keeps american profits in America.

Would love to get that Indian Scout Bobber

 

[SubVet]

It's not just having to empty the bed to get to the tire, Tom. It's the use of a donut for a vehicle that is "designed" to carry a large payload and/or a trailer. The use of anything other than a full-size tire is gross negligence as it's extraordinarily unsafe.

It doesn't bother me. I can always get another tire since I got tire and wheel from discount tire. Vehicles been using donuts for years. If they were that bad they would have been eliminators in favor of a full-size tire. I'll tell you one thing I'd rather pull the tire out of the bed than getting on my hands and knees and lower one from the back. I wouldn't be driving on the donut very long. It is what it is. plus it's not a body-on-frame so it can't be officially listed as a truck. That may be why they get away with a donut tire. I view it as an suv with a unique bed and tailgate. I don't see pickup truck nor did i feel pickup truck. It felt like a pilot. Was quiet as a pilot. And one can save a ton of money not having to buy accessories lifts and bolt-ons.

Between the ranger and the ridgeline, understand also I'm driving a 2 x4 ranger. Whereas I would get the all-wheel-drive in a ridgeline. But it's all moot because of my resale on the ford. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love the ranger. But not to the point that I would not consider other brands. I keep an open mind when it comes to vehicles with truck beds.

 

[SubVet]

So I went to our Honda Dealer today



ummm, hand in your user name and password.

Let's not get all Tacoma World here!!

 

[jsphlynch]

The Ridgeline fills a hole in the market, and fills it well. More car like than truck like and for many, an ideal compromise.

THIS!

Two very important things about the Ridgeline: 1) It is very different than the Ranger, Colorado, Tacoma, etc; and 2) That's a good thing!

I don't get why people get so hung up on trying to shoehorn it into the same class of vehicles as the other models. Embrace it for what it is, and if it works for you, get it!

 

[SubVet]

The Ridgeline is an awesome truck, that will check of all the boxes for me. It will do everything I would need it to do. But there is one thing that I can't get passed. THIS "TRUCK" IS BUTT UGLY.

I agree. But I don't buy a vehicle based solely on aesthetics. None of these trucks look very good as far as I'm concerned. Ranger has a boring front end. Ridgeline is boring front to rear. I buy practicality. . I would not pass up a very well optioned vehicle that fits my activity even if it isn't the best looking truck on the road.

I think it is the younger guys that care more about aesthetics. I don't care if it looks like a mini Van for oncoming traffic...Why would I care what a total stranger thinks?? or God forbid mistakes my truck as a minivan. One man's garbage is another treasure and all that jazz

 

[MannyS]

I agree. But I don't buy a vehicle based solely on aesthetics. None of these trucks look very good as far as I'm concerned. Ranger has a boring front end. Ridgeline is boring front to rear. I buy practicality. . I would not pass up a very well optioned vehicle even if it isn't the best looking truck on the road.

I disagree. I believe both the Ranger and Tacoma are beautiful trucks. What led me to the Ranger was the 10 speed tran and that engine. I didn't even look into the Ridgeline. Couldn't get past the way it looked.

 

[Cape Cruiser]

It doesn't bother me. I can always get another tire since I got tire and wheel from discount tire. Vehicles been using donuts for years. If they were that bad they would have been eliminators in favor of a full-size tire. I'll tell you one thing I'd rather pull the tire out of the bed than getting on my hands and knees and lower one from the back. I wouldn't be driving on the donut very long. It is what it is. plus it's not a body-on-frame so it can't be officially listed as a truck. That may be why they get away with a donut tire. I view it as an suv with a unique bed and tailgate. I don't see pickup truck nor did i feel pickup truck. It felt like a pilot. Was quiet as a pilot. And one can save a ton of money not having to buy accessories lifts and bolt-ons.

Between the ranger and the ridgeline, understand also I'm driving a 2 x4 ranger. Whereas I would get the all-wheel-drive in a ridgeline. But it's all moot because of my resale on the ford. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love the ranger. But not to the point that I would not consider other brands. I keep an open mind when it comes to vehicles with truck beds.

Ford killed the resale of the Ranger when they discounted XLT's around presidents day $10,000. I hoped it would only effect XLT's but looks like it killed the Lariat too!

 

[SemperVee]

I was on my way to get a new Ridgeline when I took notice of the Ranger via my GF who is FORD crazy. I use mine as grocery getter vehicle with an open area for little tasks in the bed like carrying what otherwise would have to be delivered as a retired guy. The Ranger has MORE AND BETTER prevailing safety features than the Honda even the RTL - E highest end - believe it or not and the price was much better less the leather seating I really wanted and the OUTSTANDING rear seating storage but in the end the looks, SAFETY features, performance and price I paid for the Ranger made the cut and I pay cash and keep vehicles for 10-15 years. I dislike the tiny rear storage where i could stand up my bicycle behind the seats in the Honda I barely carry anything in the Ranger. That is my biggest gripe with the Ranger. Paid essentially $35K +T+L for the fully loaded XLT (nearly a Lariat) with everything but leather + smal led's here and a lifetime powertrain warranty and oil changes.

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