Honda Ridgeline: Tough Truck or Lame Duck?

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JMarine25
GTPlanet, it's time to talk about what you think about the forthcoming Honda Ridgeline.

One of my personal favorite car companies is Honda. Why so? Honda doesn't just make vehicles to just have something to ride in. But just about everything from Honda has some sort of special innovation to either seperate from the pack or to balance practicality with pure performance. There's usually a lot of "Honda sucks" talk since Honda is not a Corvette-killing car maker. And not all of Honda's machines can actually win the respect of the performance-minded American public. So with Honda's dedication of thinking ahead for cars and going the extra mile, now comes Honda's first big truck since the Pilot, the Honda Ridgeline. According to my Honda booklet from the 2005 Houston Auto Show, here is what the booklet said about the Ridgeline:

"There's ingenuity everywhere, even in the back. A dual-action tailgate swings open to provide easy access to the In-Bed Trunk that locks. The composite bed is so immensly strong, won't rust, and is reinforced with high-tensile steel. So you can fill it to its 1,100-lb. payload capacity with confidence. And since there's no wheelwells to get in your way, you can load a stack of 4 x 8 plywood." (-from Honda's 2005 Cars and Trucks catalog)

GTPlanet, what do you make of the Honda Ridgeline? Apparentely, one person already sounded off on this upcoming truck at the bottom of this post: (https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1446517).
 
I actually like Honda a lot also, but I don't see too much potential in this style of truck. The uni-body might not seem practical at first but I'm sure it will turn out just fine. Is it actually going to be front-drive? That's just messed up in my book. I don't think I'd want to have anything to do with a FWD truck.
 
Lame duck! A unibody truck won't ever do well. No true truck enthusist will buy it due to lack of frame rails. There is no way thing thing can haul more then a box on frame can. Also front wheel drive is stupid to put on a truck, its going to be just like a car. Also the engine is pretty weak

It's more of a Honda Piolet with the ass end chopped off. Even though I was expecting much from Honda on this one, I think they really screwed up. This takes the place of the Colorado as one of the worst trucks on the road.

Wow that was a great post to use :rolleyes:. That really had nothing to due with that truck what so ever. I posted in the already on going thread about the Ridgeline.
 
Yeah, I just don't see this thing being a player. Half-ton trucks are useless in general, and an FWD even more so, even if they do add partial AWD. Also, full-size truck buyers see a V6 as the cheapo work-truck model - anyone buying a fullsize (or nearly fullsize) truck for their personal vehicle is going to want a V8 if there's any possible way they can afford it. And since the Honda will undoubtedly carry Honda's premium price, I can't imagine it being much of a value in its class.

Ooh, you can put a sheet of plywood in it - just like any other full size truck.
 
BlazinXtreme
Lame duck! A unibody truck won't ever do well. No true truck enthusist will buy it due to lack of frame rails. There is no way thing thing can haul more then a box on frame can. Also front wheel drive is stupid to put on a truck, its going to be just like a car. Also the engine is pretty weak.
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neon_duke
Yeah, I just don't see this thing being a player. Half-ton trucks are useless in general, and an FWD even more so, even if they do add partial AWD. Also, full-size truck buyers see a V6 as the cheapo work-truck model - anyone buying a fullsize (or nearly fullsize) truck for their personal vehicle is going to want a V8 if there's any possible way they can afford it. And since the Honda will undoubtedly carry Honda's premium price, I can't imagine it being much of a value in its class.
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I just think Honda missed the concept of of what a full sized truck is. I think they should have tried out the mini-truck market first.

As for a truck without a frame. I just don't think it will take off in the US. I know in my area you just don't see many 2wd trucks at all and dealers for the most part do not even stock them because they don't sell. If you are going to sell alot of trucks in the US you have to at least offer a 4x4.

Another thing thats sells trucks is offroading potential, And as for the Honda's off road potential I don't think the unibody has much(if any) even if Honda gives it a good 4x4 system. You get a unibody in any kind of high articulation situation and its going to get bent. And finding solid mounts for suspention mods/lifts and cage mounts will always be an issue with a unibody.

Power is another truck seller. To even be considered a real fullsized truck contender in my area you have to at least have a V-8 option. Its just an american truck thing. At least Nissan and Toyota figured that out. And they are gaining a following in my area because of it.

But I think the lack of 4x4, a V-8, and a frame will kill this truck. At least im my area...
 
slimer90210
I just think Honda missed the concept of of what a full sized truck is. I think they should have tried out the mini-truck market first.

As for a truck without a frame. I just don't think it will take off in the US. I know in my area you just don't see many 2wd trucks at all and dealers for the most part do not even stock them because they don't sell. If you are going to sell alot of trucks in the US you have to at least offer a 4x4.

Another thing thats sells trucks is offroading potential, And as for the Honda's off road potential I don't think the unibody has much(if any) even if Honda gives it a good 4x4 system. You get a unibody in any kind of high articulation situation and its going to get bent. And finding solid mounts for suspention mods/lifts and cage mounts will always be an issue with a unibody.

Power is another truck seller. To even be considered a real fullsized truck contender in my area you have to at least have a V-8 option. Its just an american truck thing. At least Nissan and Toyota figured that out. And they are gaining a following in my area because of it.

But I think the lack of 4x4, a V-8, and a frame will kill this truck. At least im my area...
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It's no mini truck, I can't even make it lay frame. :lol:

I guess you have to be a mini trucker to get it.
 
Until Honda gets its act together and designs a V8, it has no business in the truck market, well, at least the North American truck market. It seems to be more like Honda wanting to show up to the party late, rather than not at all.

And if it is true that this is a FWD unibody truck, than it really isnt a truck at all. Somebody tell me why they would choose this truck over something like a Ram, Durango, Silverado, Avalance, F-150, F-250, Titan, or Tacoma? With such stiff market competition why would they introduce such a "lacking" product?
 
The engine:

255-hp, 3.5-Liter, 24-Valve SOHC VTEC® V-6 Engine

Truck owners typically care more about torque, wonder what it is.

The drivetrain

Variable Torque Management® 4-Wheel Drive System (VTM-4®)

This means that its in AWD when it needs to be, a lot like a car. They have this on a lot of trucks and SUV's and they all suck badly. You get 4 wheel when you are already stuck, not before there is a problem.

Hauling

5,000-lb. Towing Capacity
1,550-lb. Total Payload Capacity
Half-Ton (1,100-lb) Bed Capacity

Whipdeedo!!!! My Blazer can pull 5,000 lbs. (Not recommended mind you). The payload is decent to say the least.

Other reason's I want to point out that shouldn't be on a "rugged" truck.

Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with Traction Control - I actually can't recall any trucks with this
Front, Side and Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor - Who needs side airbags? You are supposed to be safe in a truck...oh wait its a unibody.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - My mom's Pacifica has this, need I say more?
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) - Isn't it a law to have these?
 
Maybe it has TWO Civic engines stuffed under the hood?
 
Whoa that would be like 240hp and no torque. :lol:
 
Yeah. The aftermarket support would be HUGE - but twice as expensive!
 
Once again the only way I would drive it.

ridgeline9yo.gif
 
toyomatt84
I can't fathom the no wheelwells. What does it ride on? Is it more or less a hovercraft?
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I don't think anybody's answered you yet. I think what they mean is that the wheelwells don't protrude into the bed. So it's like a dually or stepside; you get one big rectangle, instead of one with some chunks taken out of it.

How's it going to tow anything being FWD? :yuck:
 
I'm a pretty avid Honda supporter, and honestly I've not done much to review the vehicle. Frankly I think it's a bad idea to enter into the truck market with companies like GM, Ford, and Dodge so heavily dominating it. Not to mention Toyota.
 
I saw it at the piss-poor STL autoshow. It's ugly, and anyone wanting a car-like truck should definately go with a Baja turbo. Tons of power, AWD, and basically a Legacy interior.

Sure, it doesn't haul much, but do we really care?

Ohh Ohh so the B-series isn't dead yet, infact they now have a 4 door B-3000. It might actually bring sales up to 2 a month! Yey!
 
its ugly.
i dont know how well it will sell. buthere in californi, honda can sell snow to eskimoes.
i forsee this vehicle possibly selling well to people who might need a vehicle that can carry loads, but dont necessarily want a truck.
dirt bikers
hobbyists
casual gardeners
etc

👎 to honda though for bringing us this ugly thing. at least make a good truck like nissan did.
 
MotorWeek recently covered the Honda Ridgeline. Some of the highlights I was able to remember and type down includes the following:

+ carlike unibody
+ first bed with trunk
- V8 would be better
+ capable
+ "rides like minivan"
+ "can tackle hardcore stuff off road"
* est $27K

I'll back away from being neutral and offer my own opinion.

Personally, I think the Honda Ridgeline will be a contender. Maybe not right now, but maybe down the road. I think nothing leaves the Honda's factories with at least some sort of innovation as opposed to its competition. Love it or loathe it, but the machine is perhaps pretty nice, I think. I don't think it's really ugly. If it has form and function, I say it's not bad.

So GTPlanet, what do you think is primarily this truck's competition, the (Silverado, F-150, Ram, Tundra, and Titan) or the Subaru Baja? Do you see this more of a crossover truck than a "traditional" truck? Will Honda have to focus more on power and performance than practicality, even with a truck?
 
I have to agree that trunk bed thing is pretty cool. It elimates the need for the cargo boxes. But then again you could put a locking fiberglassed cover on the bed and get the same result with more space.

I think it will compete more with the Baja then the Silverado. People who want to say they have a truck, but don't really need one will buy this. Kinda like people who buy huge SUV's and don't really know why.

With a base of 27K thats pretty pricey for a truck that doesn't even have a full bed. A Silverado starts at about 22k and you can get a V8, 4 wheel drive, full bed, and of course frame rails :D.
 
Ok now if they made the truck like this then I would buy it.

hondatruck8rr.gif
 
BlazinXtreme
I think it will compete more with the Baja then the Silverado. People who want to say they have a truck, but don't really need one will buy this. Kinda like people who buy huge SUV's and don't really know why.
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As much as I bet you wish this were true, it isn't. Sorry to tell you, the Ridgeline's going to take bites out of the urban market share of your favorite domestic brands. The Baja has very little appeal outside of the urban gay community (seriously) while the Ridgeline looks like it could be a serious contender in urban markets.

Remember, according to the populace of this nation, Honda can do no wrong. Because of some of their vehicles which are best-in-class, like the Accord, Odyssey, and Pilot, they get huge praise, even on vehicles which are not all that good, like the CR-V or Civic. I remember the complaints against the original Isuzu Rodeo's "outdated" dash design; when the same vehicle began to be sold as the Honda Passport in 1994, the same dash was not outdated but "robust."
 
I don't know, I don't really think the domestic market will venture from the RWD unibody market. I know the Tundra has done well and the so has the Titan, in fact I think the Tundra is better then the Silverado in many areas.

But as truck guys go, I really don't think they will buy into the Honda truck mainly because it lacks a V8 option. Honda needs to get smart and built a V8 if they want to be in the truck market. And they don't need to take styling cues from the Avalanche.
 
BlazinXtreme
But as truck guys go, I really don't think they will buy into the Honda truck mainly because it lacks a V8 option. Honda needs to get smart and built a V8 if they want to be in the truck market.
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Perhaps so, but I'd say that 80% of truck buyers are not 'truck guys' so Honda need not be worried. I'm not sure on the overall size of this thing, but it's very easy to compete in the midsize and compact truck market with no V8, and if you don't mind not having huge amounts of fleet sales, you could even sell a large truck with no V8, if you had a pretty big V6, which Honda does.
 
No offense to the "Honda pwr" crowd, but does it got to be a truck? I mean, why not a more innovative sportscar (besides the NSX) that whips Skylines, or maybe an ego-boosting $150,000 Supercar that takes Lambos and Ferraris?

Edit: sorry for going off topic, but when does this place stay on topic? :lol:
 
Because more people will buy a truck over a sports car.
 
In terms of the body, suspension, chassis, and all the nitty gritty, how does the Ridgeline compare against other trucks in its class? I don't think it's a heavy-duty truck, I think it's more rated as a midsize truck. I don't follow the Truck/SUV market closely, so I don't know the Ridgeline's true competition. On MotorWeek, it was quite interesting to see someone fill up the Ridgeline's trunk with ice and soda and stuff for some tailgating action.

The design principle reminds me of the Chevy Avalanche. The biggest difference is that the Avalanche is convertable from an SUV to a pickup truck. The Ridgeline, however, is a full-time truck. It looks like it can seat 4 or 5 (counting the driver), so it has kind of a good quad cab or crew cab deal going for the Ridgeline. To me, I think the Ridgeline should compete with domestic competition like the Nissan Titan and the Toyota Tundra. Then when it can make as big of a statement in terms of trucks from Japanese companies, then you tackle the American badasses- Silverado. F-150. Ram. And like I said, the Ridgeline will be a contender, but not right away. Not to offend Honda fans, but when America wants a capable truck, the first name that would quickly be overruled is Honda.

So, I think the Ridgeline is more like a pickup truck that thinks it's one of those crossover trucks. Only thing is that by looks, it's a crossover vehicle... just take out the actual crossing over. I think auto enthusiasts will have to appreciate this effort even if it can't hang with Toyota and Nissan.
 
With Toyota entering Tundras in the Nascar Craftsmen Truck, do you think Honda will follow?
 

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