I'll be looking for a new vehicle next year. I want a truck but don't really need a truck if that makes any sense.

I've been looking online at the Honda Ridgeline. Any thoughts from the vast information bank that is Sigforum? One thing that kinda bothers me is that I don't see a lot of them on the road (at least not here in Houston).

I had one for 12 years, and absolutely loved it. My next vehicle will likely be another lightly used Ridgeline.

They're great trucks for most folks. I think they're one of the best "jack of all trades" vehicles out there, and the perfect urban, suburban, or moderately rural truck.

Yeah, they can be a bit fugly. The 1st Gens had weird styling where the passenger compartment met the bed. The new 2nd Gens fixed that, but they've been stuck with a nose that looks like a minivan. Personally, I care less about looks and more about function, and the Ridgeline has function in spades.

Yeah, they're not "real trucks", as the haters like to crow. () But if most truck owners in America were honest with themselves, they'd admit that the Ridgeline actually does everything they need a truck to do, and is more comfortable to drive than their "real trucks".

No, you won't be towing huge trailers. But most folks don't need to.

No, you won't be hauling overly large loads in the bed. But most folks don't need to.

Most folks looking at mid-size trucks like the Ridgeline/Colorado/Tacoma/etc. want to use them as their daily driver, and they also may occasionally want to haul some materials for a home improvement project or pick up a piece of furniture, plus they might sometimes want to tow their bass boat to the lake or their bumper-pull camper to the woods.

And the Ridgeline excels at all that.

Think of it less as a "real truck" () and more as a SUV that also has a truck bed and moderate towing capability, for the times those are needed. Most truck owners will spend 99% of the time driving around with an empty bed and no trailer, and for that daily driving the extra creature comforts and ride quality of the Ridgeline's "SUV" side is much appreciated.

That is what puts it ahead of its more traditional truck competitors in my book. It's better at the 99% daily driving, and still capable at the 1% hauling/towing.

In my opinion, this "fake truck" is an outstanding truck for most of today's truck owners, with the exception of those that truly need actual heavy duty hauling capacity or towing capability. (Or I guess those who measure their manliness by the size of their diesel engines and height of their mud tires. )

I have driven a Ridgeline for the last three years. I have always been either a sports car or a big fast sedan type of person but the Ridgeline is perfectly sufficient; it does what I need it to do. I call it a "Gentlemans Pick-up". A Ford F250 Super Duty it is not.

It is comfortable to drive, has more than enough interior space, and is reliable.

The only thing I wish it had is more power; it has enough for typical activities but it seems I always want more.

When I received it from my father-in-law, it had the factory bed cover. I have found it to be very handy. It also had the side steps which it does not need but make it look so much better.

The truck had a terrible blind spot to the rear so I put a front and rear-view video system. I also added a trailer hitch.

All in all it is a subtle pick-up that does not draw attention to itself. I like it.

I have owned my 2018 Ridgeline AWD RL-T for a little over a year and 17,000 miles now so if there's anything specific you'd like to know I may be able to help. For reference it replaced a 2004 4wd Tundra Access Cab, V6, 5-speed I'd had since 2004, and it's my only vehicle (other than motorcycles). My Tundra was trouble free and the logical replacement was for me to replace it with a new Tacoma which is about as large of a vehicle as I want to drive but the Tacoma seating position was simply uncomfortable to me so I looked at Colorado, Frontier and finally Ridgeline and for me Ridgeline turned out to be the best choice for me.

My truck usage include hauling bags of garbage, lawn mower, firewood, occasional motorcycle, Lowes crap, etc., so 1,200-1,300 payload capacity is plenty. The small trailer I occasionally tow max's out at 3,500#. All are within Ridgeline capacity.
My "wants" include comfortable seats, quiet interior, and a compliant ride on the horrible paved roads around here as well as the dirt road I live on, attributes I would appreciate every day I'm in it. AWD is nice when hauling brush up a wet field and far nicer than 4WD on snowy roads.

Ridgeline has met or exceeded my expectations. Seats are even larger and more comfortable than my friend's Acura MDX and the Ridgeline is every bit as quiet and actually handles even better than his MDX IMO and that's saying something. Colorado is probably the next closest but Tacoma and Frontier just felt unrefined, noisy, with a harsh/bouncy ride. Ridgeline rides and handles like a luxury

I'm quite satisfied with the gas mileage, for my normal driving it's about 20-21 (actual) which is 33% better than my previous V6 Tundra. I get around 24-25 on longer trips.

Utilize the trunk and under rear seat storage almost every day.

I'll be looking at them as well in the coming year so I'm watching this thread. If anyone can comment on Ridgeline's and snow, real snow, it's appreciated. I love my Tundra but am looking to downsize next time around.

I bought my RL new in 08 and it suits me better than anything else on the road (and the payments that come with something new. mine is long paid for )

Great in snow up to about 8" and that's as deep as we've had in the past 10 years. Very sure footed and the awd system is idiot proof. I like the 1st generations the best. Rear doors don't open wide enough on the 2nd gen.

95K on mine and it's been solid and comfortable.

RMD

quote:

Originally posted by mark60:
I'll be looking at them as well in the coming year so I'm watching this thread. If anyone can comment on Ridgeline's and snow, real snow, it's appreciated. I love my Tundra but am looking to downsize next time around.

Ridgeline's SH-AWD is *much* more effective on slippery roads and snow than the 4WD in my Tundra or Jeep.

I saw one of the latest model ones on the road on Friday. Nice looking vehicle, much better than the previous generations. I'd give it serious consideration if it met my needs.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

I had one for 7 years, one of the most reliable and practical cars I have ever owned. If the look of it doesn't bother you, it is a great all around vehicle.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by mark60:
I'll be looking at them as well in the coming year so I'm watching this thread. If anyone can comment on Ridgeline's and snow, real snow, it's appreciated. I love my Tundra but am looking to downsize next time around.

Ridgeline's SH-AWD is *much* more effective on slippery roads and snow than the 4WD in my Tundra or Jeep.

The drivetrain is sophisticated. And it’s one of the latest and greatest AWD systems. It offers real torque vectoring in the rear (vs. brake based vectoring) so the system can detect slip, transfer power to the opposing wheel in milliseconds. GKN makes the half shafts in the rear. I have a similar awd system in my Focus RS. It’s phenomenal. The Ridgeline it will oversteer slightly in a turn. This is a good thing, as it handles pavement better than any truck made due to that AWD system and being a unibody. With proper snow tires, there isn’t really a better drivetrain on the market. Your only limitation will be ground clearance if the snow is very deep and they make lifts for it already. I owned the first gen Ridgeline and will be adding the new one to my fleet once my RS is paid off. Thankfully for 2019 Honda added the moonroof and rear sliding glass to the trim I want, the RTL. I’m going to gut the factory audio out of it and put in aftermarket. The sound deadening in it is so excellent the cab is basically a symphony hall and there is a factory cut out in the unibody for the sub. Can’t wait. I came close to buying it but found a deal I couldn’t refuse on the RS and I wanted one last stick awd turbo before I’m dead.

No experience with a Ridgeline. I use a mountain goat of a 2003’ extra cab Tacoma for the ranch truck and it is too rough duty to beat up something as nice as a Ridgeline, RogueJSK’s comment hits home though, as my first vehicle was a ‘69 El Camino and I LOVED that “not a real truck”. If my needs were different, I’d give the Ridgeline a look.

I'll be able to add shortly to this thread switching out my 2011 outback for a Ridgeline 2019. I am holding out to December to buy in hopes of getting a better deal.

I want a truck bed for the random home project, and a space big enough to store long guns and handguns out of sight. Ridgeline meets all those.

Guys - I stand to be corrected with my next statement if I am wrong but if you buy the non - AWD unit am I correct that the Ridgeline is a FWD vehicle?

I had a 2017 RT-L AWD for about six months but traded it in. Mine had electrical gremlins that caused it to accelerate on it's own when on cruise control. Tried to get it fixed and they couldn't after a few tries so I traded it for an Accord.

The truck was comfortable and drove well but I didn't feel safe in it when it would suddenly accelerate 10 or 15 mph all on it's own.

quote:

Originally posted by sigarmsp226:
Guys - I stand to be corrected with my next statement if I am wrong but if you buy the non - AWD unit am I correct that the Ridgeline is a FWD vehicle?

Correct.

All 1st Gen Ridgelines were AWD.

But with the 2nd Gen, AWD is an option. If you don't get AWD, it's FWD.

quote:

Originally posted by PossibleZombie:
I had a 2017 RT-L AWD for about six months but traded it in. Mine had electrical gremlins that caused it to accelerate on it's own when on cruise control. Tried to get it fixed and they couldn't after a few tries so I traded it for an Accord.

The truck was comfortable and drove well but I didn't feel safe in it when it would suddenly accelerate 10 or 15 mph all on it's own.

I’m curious....why didn’t you make Honda buy it back?

Own a 2011 Honda Ridgeline, 100K miles, my do all truck. Commuted daily for over 5 years; never an issue, but I baby it. Regular service, new tires, etc. are the rule. AWD, a bit under powered, but it will pull a trailer quite well, with my farm equipment, aTv etc. Cannot recommend the 1st Gen highly enough; no experience with 2d Gen yet. Consumer Reports give it high marks as well.
Veterans Day Regards to all.
Blackhorse4

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

quote:

Originally posted by PossibleZombie:
I had a 2017 RT-L AWD for about six months but traded it in. Mine had electrical gremlins that caused it to accelerate on it's own when on cruise control. Tried to get it fixed and they couldn't after a few tries so I traded it for an Accord.

The truck was comfortable and drove well but I didn't feel safe in it when it would suddenly accelerate 10 or 15 mph all on it's own.

I’m curious....why didn’t you make Honda buy it back?

Hopefully they just traded him straight.

I do have to say I do like the looks of the new generation Ridgeline. They have the Aussie UTE look.

Though I would go Tacoma over the Ridgeline personally.
I am a simple guy especially when it comes to trucks. All I want is 4 full doors, 4wd/AWD, and a backup camera.
The cheapest Ridgeline with AWD starts at 35k the Tacoma starts at 32k. Plus there is far more support for the Taco.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Plus there is far more support for the Taco.

That's true.

If you're someone who wants to trick out their truck with running boards, lift kits, light bars, tool chests, grill guards, fender flares, whizbangs, and thingamajigs, then the Ridgeline might not be for you.

Those type of aftermarket accessories are available for the Ridgeline, but nowhere near the variety that's available for the Tacoma/Tundra/F150/Ram/etc.