quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
... small trucks the size of the original Ranger,...

While I know what you meant, the original Ranger was a full sized truck.

*reviving thread.

Toyota teased a smaller compact truck today. First teaser. Something to compete with the Maverick.

I am looking forward to see a small toyota truck being available. Maverick size would be really good.

Funny how things work in cycles and old becomes new again.

Also time to recover from those recent Toyota engine whoas and recalls.

As long as it isn't priced like a Tacoma.
The mid-sized trucks aren't always the bargain they seem compared to the full-size.
Unless you specifically want a mid-size truck.

Hopefully this turns out to be a real Maverick competitor. Good to have variety at the smaller end of the spectrum.
for me, a Maverick, or similar, would cover the majority of my truck needs, and still be a viable commuter.

As styling goes, I'd love it if they could go a little old-school, like the '82 shape.



I think maybe I'm getting tired of the "newfangled, futuristic" look.

I wonder if Trump will modify the chicken tax/tariff to not include mini trucks? That, along with lowering the EPA MPG requirement, would permit importation of them pretty soon.

If the 25% chicken tax remains on all imported trucks they'll probably have to build them here which will take a while to get new manufacturing started.

Toyota has been working on a unibody truck (maybe called Stout?) sized between Maverick and Ridgeline based on their Rav4 so not a mini truck. But since the Rav4 is already built in the US they should be able to tool up manufacturing for it within a year or two from now. I'd like a version with at least 5'-6" or 6' bed.

I was expecting smaller than that like the ones I see on youtube videos about the fish market. It's like a sedan size except with a flat bed in the back.

I’m hoping for something with a “rear seat” for some interior storage (not necessarily four full doors) with a 5-6’ bed that is not raised (low as possible to ease loading / unloading). 4wd nice to have for sand and snow.

Need something that will increase availability and affordability over what’s in market now. Like tacos at $33k 100k miles.

Hoping to get what I want for $25k or less.

Even if everything falls into place, likely not until 2030...At least this guy thinks so, and he 'seems' to know what he's talking about.

Tacoma is too expensive. Anticipating $30k for used.

How’s Ridgeline? AWD? Not sure what trim levels they have. I’m generally averse to Honda but may make an exception here for 30% price ($20k used) for otherwise similar truck.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Tacoma is too expensive. Anticipating $30k for used.

How’s Ridgeline? AWD? Not sure what trim levels they have. I’m generally averse to Honda but may make an exception here for 30% price ($20k used) for otherwise similar truck.

Owned the first gen and have a 2nd gen in the driveway. Love mine. It’s SH-AWD actually, Honda just doesn’t use the name for their Honda products. The rear half shafts mechanically torque vector so when you are in a turn, it kicks power to the outside wheel. In our ice/snow a week ago, I put mine in snow mode and was getting predictable oversteer around every corner. I’ve driven most every truck on the market and I still consider the Ridgeline to be the best pavement handling truck made. I don’t tow heavy loads so had no need for a Super Duty or even a full size. The in bed trunk is so awesome for firearm transport. Go take one for a test drive. And make sure you do some underpasses at speed. I remember leaving work in 2017/2018 with a Ford nut in the office. He has a King Ranch F250 diesel. He was ragging on the truck prior, bad. So we drove to Honda, he hopped in the back, and I did an underpass at a high rate of speed. I said would your F250 do that? He said no, it would have flipped. He never said another word about it.

Mine has been off road as well, dirt and gravel. It’ll handle the snow, ice, sand, whatever you throw at it. It’s just not a rock crawler and never will be. I’m keeping mine permanently. The AWD system in combination with the Unibody chassis, magic rear seats, that fold up towards the bed, creating a flat floor, and that in-bed trunk is a very nice combination. Also if you get the RTL trim or above, it’ll work for luxury car for the missus on a night out. It’s also the best road trip vehicle I’ve ever piloted. People that own them, love them. They call it the thinking man’s truck.

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

The Ridgeline, despite the polarizing looks of the first generation, is a surprisingly capable truck.
I worked for a Honda dealer in college & the service manager had one. Said it pulled his boat better than his Silverado.

I drove his 1G a couple times, taking customers to work/home when our shuttles were full/occupied. Drives a lot more like a car than a truck, quite comfortable.

I looked at the 2nd generation before buying an F150. The back seat ingress/egress was a bit tight, especially with 2 kids.

Thanks. Okay, I need to learn about model years, trim levels and pricing. Search is on for used ridgeline. Probably 2016+.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks. Okay, I need to learn about model years, trim levels and pricing. Search is on for used ridgeline. Probably 2016+.

16+ would be the 2nd generation, more truck looking, less like a Chevrolet Avalanche.

From the wiki page:

quote:

For the US market, the second generation Ridgeline was initially offered in seven different trim levels: RT, RTS, Sport, RTL, RTL-T, RTL-E, and Black Edition.

They went to the 9spd automatic in MY2020, which I've heard [but not experienced] is not great.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
16+ would be the 2nd generation, more truck looking, less like a Chevrolet Avalanche.

From the wiki page:

quote:

For the US market, the second generation Ridgeline was initially offered in seven different trim levels: RT, RTS, Sport, RTL, RTL-T, RTL-E, and Black Edition.

They went to the 9spd automatic in MY2020, which I've heard [but not experienced] is not great.

9spd good to know. Thanks. 7 trim levels? Seriously? Wtf Honda?

Some, IIRC, were just cosmetic.
Like Sport & Black Edition. Cosmetic changes over the trim level below it, I think.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
They went to the 9spd automatic in MY2020, which I've heard [but not experienced] is not great.

They’ve already switched to a 10spd I think now. I know that problematic 9spd was swapped out.

My MY2019 is the 6spd, and it’s serviceable. Pick your flavor of ATF and G2G. I actually prefer it because the shift points for the 6spd are about as perfect as it gets. If I put my foot down, it instantly downshifts, and the rev/gear changes are about as perfect as it gets from a slushbox. I purposely got a MY2019 so I could get the 6spd before they changed it.

Also the MY2019, if you get the RTL trim, as I did, you get most everything of value from the RTL-E. Leather and heated seats. Rear sliding glass, and moonroof. And most importantly, NO ADAS whatsoever. I think for 2020, they added ADAS on every single trim. F that. Since mine didn’t have any of that crap on there I was able to go full aftermarket audio. We swapped out the headunit, all the speakers, put in a 5 channel amp, and the RTL comes with a factory sub and factory sealed box. So all you have to do is go Kicker for the sub. Easy swap. And everything is can-bus, so no splicing. And you can add the heated steering wheel to the RTL trim (RTL-E feature) for $500, as it was a factory option. Wiring is already there so they just swap the steering wheel, center it, and do an alignment. I made my own RTL-E and saved thousands of dollars. MY2019 RTL does not come up with a touchscreen headunit so on the used market, you could probably score a steal. Everyone wants a touchscreen. So buy the RTL and put in an aftermarket one with wireless AA/Carplay. At the time, the Ridgeline was wired only for that.

And absolutely get the AWD version, F FWD. Honda’s SH-AWD is excellent. Any weather, any condition, stable as a rock, especially in hard cornering.

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

Yeah, I've read nothing but bad on the 9AT. The 6spd is solid, and the 10spd is supposed to be good too.