Honda Ridgeline is Truck of the year

[MarauderMarc]

I just saw on a commercial that the new Honda Ridgeline truck is Motortrends truck of the year. Never really gave the ricer truck much thought, but I may just go look at one. Not to buy, but to check it out. Anyone driven one or riden in one?

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:aE1s4nRXeSwK1M:fo rums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/11-21638-482596-19903/honda_ridgeline_01.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/11-21638-482596-19903/honda_ridgeline_01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://forums.autoweek.com/thread.jspa%3FforumID%3D11%26t hreadID%3D21638&h=600&w=800&sz=91&tbnid=aE1s4nRXeSwK1M:&tbnh=106&tbnw=142&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhonda%2Bridgeline %26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3 D%26rls%3DRNWK,RNWK:2005-50,RNWK:en%26sa%3DN)

heres the link

http://www.motortrend.com/features/news/2005/112_news051220_truck_of_the_ye ar/

[Bluerauder]

I just saw on a commercial that the new Honda Ridgeline truck is Motortrends truck of the year. Never really gave the ricer truck much thought, but I may just go look at one. Not to buy, but to check it out. Anyone driven one or riden in one?
One of my friends at work picked up a Honda Ridgeline several months ago. He gave me the grand tour of the truck and I was quite impressed with many of its features. The in-bed lockable trunk, 2-way tailgate, and deep storage area that can double as an ice cooler was impressive. Its even got removable drainplugs built in for just that purpose. Another quite ingenious feature is the spare tire, jack, and toolset which is mounted on a sliding tray that fits up under the forward part of the bed. Just pull it back toward the rear of the truck and it slides over/above the storage bin. Rather convenient.

Inside seating is spacious with lots of room for adults, kids, dogs, and stuff. There are optional storage racks to meet any need. There were just so many features that it is difficult to mention.

I believe the power is a 3.5 liter engine. My co-worker has had his Ridgeline about 4-5 months and he says he really likes it.

I don't think that the Honda Ridgeline will replace the F150 series (and certainly not the F250, F350) as a true work truck. But it does have a certain appeal for people who may occasionally need to run to Home Depot or Lowe's to pick up a load of plywood, sheetrock, or building materials. It would also come in convenient to make a run to the county landfill on occasion.

So, I think that Honda has found a niche for folks who probably need a mini-van most -- but occasionally have a need for a pick-up. Dayum, I wish Ford would have thought of this one.

[prchrman]

Ridgeline the truck for people who don't really need a real truck with a real truck bed for anything more than a couple of bicycles...

[jimlam56]

The underbed storage idea is cooll...
Until you have to change a tire with a load of stuff in the bed,,,
Yep, that's where the spare tire is located, the only way to get to it is to unload the truck bed.
I can see that happening with a load of mulch or dirt in back.
Besides, I think they are, well, unattractive looking trucks...

[Mike Poore]

What's the cost compared to an similarly equipped F-150? Can you get a 4.6 or 5.4L engine, or comparable. The last time we looked at a Honda product, the price for anything equivalent from Ford was a LOT more. Yeah, she said, but it's a Honda, I know ....on my way out the door. :D

[ROB502]

I helped a friend get some graval in his and we had a flat tire. Well guess where the spare was. Yes, you guessed it under the load we just put in there. NOT A TRUCK... We had to unload the graval by hand change the tire and reload the dumb thing again. It didn't hold that much in the only thing that saved us and it rides sloppy. The idea of being pulled buy my feet(FWD) is not a cool feeling either.:censor:

[Rider90]

I saw it on the road, thought it would be bigger.

[Bluerauder]

What's the cost compared to an similarly equipped F-150? Can you get a 4.6 or 5.4L engine, or comparable. The last time we looked at a Honda product, the price for anything equivalent from Ford was a LOT more. Yeah, she said, but it's a Honda, I know ....on my way out the door. :D
Mike. My buddy paid about $33K and his Ridgeline is fully loaded with moonroof, navigation, premium sound, running boards/step ups, sport grill, etc. Don't think that the current version offers any other engine choices but the 3.5 Liter; but I heard that may be changing in later models.

I agree that it is not a work truck in the true sense. However, it does offer plenty advantages for someone who needs the bed sporadically.

To be honest, I kinda thought about one for a little while. But I just couldn't get past the Honda emblem on the front. I think this is key ... when Honda gets folks like me to even consider their offerings and then say "good" stuff about them -- its not gonna be long before that emblem doesn't matter anymore. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and GMC take note. :o

[StevenJ]

They did! Just wait for the 08' Explorer Sport Track. It's going to kick this minivan wannabe truck's butt! Ridgeline sales have been particularly awful so far. It also has numerous safety and build quality issues.

*not to be a dead horse but......

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/02/27/video-honda-ridgeline-airbags-deploy-during-test-drive/

http://www.leftlanenews.com/wp-images/media/feb27bag.jpg

Motor Trend truck of the year award did a lot for it in terms of sales, yeah right!
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/FREE/60206007/1041

[Shora]

I helped a friend get some graval in his and we had a flat tire. Well guess where the spare was. Yes, you guessed it under the load we just put in there. NOT A TRUCK... We had to unload the graval by hand change the tire and reload the dumb thing again. It didn't hold that much in the only thing that saved us and it rides sloppy. The idea of being pulled buy my feet(FWD) is not a cool feeling either.:censor:

I agree that the spare is in a bad location and forces one to unload the bed in order to change a flat tire. However, I do not think that it would be safe to use a jack stand on a truck full of gravel. Thus you would have to remove the gravel anyway. I cannot imagine changing a tire of my uncle's Hemi 1500 Ram after we have filled up his bed simply with the OEM jack stand. It would not hold and it wouldn't be safe.

That being said, it is the only pickup with a donut for a spare. True trucks always have full size spares. This pickup was not designed as a replacement for an F-150 like the Nissan Titan is. Rather, it was created for someone who needs a car and can use a bed for minor chores. It can tow 5,000 Lbs so wave runners will do just fine.

Last and not least, it has the best crash testing record of any pickup ever-5 stars for both front and side impacts.

And about it being a Honda, "...Honda's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda) Civic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic) and Ridgeline truck won the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards at the International Auto Show (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Auto_Show) in Detroit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit). This is the first time any company has won both awards in the same year."

[hitchhiker]

I just saw on a commercial that the new Honda Ridgeline truck is Motortrends truck of the year. Never really gave the ricer truck much thought, but I may just go look at one. Not to buy, but to check it out. Anyone driven one or riden in one?

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:aE1s4nRXeSwK1M:fo rums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/11-21638-482596-19903/honda_ridgeline_01.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/11-21638-482596-19903/honda_ridgeline_01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://forums.autoweek.com/thread.jspa%3FforumID%3D11%26t hreadID%3D21638&h=600&w=800&sz=91&tbnid=aE1s4nRXeSwK1M:&tbnh=106&tbnw=142&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhonda%2Bridgeline %26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3 D%26rls%3DRNWK,RNWK:2005-50,RNWK:en%26sa%3DN)

heres the link

http://www.motortrend.com/features/news/2005/112_news051220_truck_of_the_ye ar/

Take a chain, attach it to a Superduty, and drag it around as ballast!

:D

[bigslim]

They did! Just wait for the 08' Explorer Sport Track. It's going to kick this minivan wannabe truck's butt! Ridgeline sales have been particularly awful so far. It also has numerous safety and build quality issues.

*not to be a dead horse but......

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/02/27/video-honda-ridgeline-airbags-deploy-during-test-drive/

http://www.leftlanenews.com/wp-images/media/feb27bag.jpg

Motor Trend truck of the year award did a lot for it in terms of sales, yeah right!
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/FREE/60206007/1041
Wow, a Honda with quality problems. And it was also in the news. Who would have thought??:rolleyes:

[gpfarrell]

Take a chain, attach it to a Superduty, and drag it around as ballast!

:D

Ironically, I once towed a 1978 F150 about 4 miles with a 75hp 1981 Honda Accord... the things you do in college.

I can't imagine the Ridgeline would replace my F250. It wouldn't tow an old Mercury/Mustang/digger, it's not quite set up to plow snow, and I'm pretty sure that if you put 4,000 lbs of topsoil in the back of it you'd have to change more than just a flat tire.

On the other hand, lots of folks never try to do any of that fun stuff and I think that's who Honda is aiming for. I'm sure the Ridgeline would be more reasonable to drive back and forth to work than a 6,000 lb big block, but I think reasonable is highly over-rated. :)

[Vortech347]

The only way to own a truck is if its made by red/white/blue baby. I'd like to see one of them last 30 years and still run.

[Leadfoot281]

I can't tell the front-end from the back-end. But I do know what ugly is.

No doubt Honda will sell millions of them, what with the popularity of ugly cars and trucks these days.

[Eric91Z]

I agree the Ridgeline is for someone that would look at a mid-size SUV or mini-van, but wants the bed of a truck. Not someone looking to do a lot of hauling or towing, but wants it just in case. And it does have a ton of cool features that others don't offer.

That being said, and the fact that the wife wants a new truck or SUV soon, and it will need to be enough truck to tow a boat, we are thinking about the Nissan Titan. The wife likes the Lincoln Mark LT or even a nice F150, but the Titan has better tow ratings, better interior, a lot more cool features, and looks good. I think Nissan brought a good product to the table to battle the big 3 for the full size, 1/2 ton truck market. Plus, one of those with the Banks exhaust on it sounds awesome!!!!

[StevenJ]

I agree the Ridgeline is for someone that would look at a mid-size SUV or mini-van, but wants the bed of a truck. Not someone looking to do a lot of hauling or towing, but wants it just in case. And it does have a ton of cool features that others don't offer.

That being said, and the fact that the wife wants a new truck or SUV soon, and it will need to be enough truck to tow a boat, we are thinking about the Nissan Titan. The wife likes the Lincoln Mark LT or even a nice F150, but the Titan has better tow ratings, better interior, a lot more cool features, and looks good. I think Nissan brought a good product to the table to battle the big 3 for the full size, 1/2 ton truck market. Plus, one of those with the Banks exhaust on it sounds awesome!!!!

That's why it hasn't met it's sales goals. If you're looking for a good truck, stick with the Ford. If you feel that is too much truck, you should also consider the upcomming Explorer Sport Track. The new one will finally have a V8, the same one as the Mustang GT, and the new six speed automatic. It should do her proud. As far as the Titan, that thing has a large number of quality issues as well. Just look up some of those Titan enthusiast message boards if you don't believe me. There's a reason Motor Trend picked the F150 above the Titan in 2004's truck of the year.

[Eric91Z]

That's why it hasn't met it's sales goals. If you're looking for a good truck, stick with the Ford. If you feel that is too much truck, you should also consider the upcomming Explorer Sport Track. The new one will finally have a V8, the same one as the Mustang GT, and the new six speed automatic. It should do her proud. As far as the Titan, that thing has a large number of quality issues as well. Just look up some of those Titan enthusiast message boards if you don't believe me. There's a reason Motor Trend picked the F150 above the Titan in 2004's truck of the year.

I have been spending plenty of time on the Titan boards I have found. And there are some issues, but most of them have been with the 2004 and 2005 models and she would be looking at a 2006 or newer by the time she is ready to buy.

I have seen and driven both and if it were my money today, I would go with the Titan. 1) It will be her vehicle as a daily driver and the Titan is much easier to drive, especially in tight areas, 2) The Titan has a ton more features and options that are either standard or you can't even get on the F150, 3) lot more truck with the Titan than the F150 for the money, 4) Interior of Titan has much more room and more comfort than the F150 - especially the rear seat which is important when putting a baby and 8 year old in the back, 5) etc, etc, etc.

To each his own. I personally think the Titan has a lot more to offer, including more power, better sound, and better towing under load, than the F150 does. And while Motor Trend may give the F150 Truck of the Year, I prefer reviews from like Trailer Boating or PowerBoating where they review the truck in actual towing situations (which is important to us, but don't want a 3/4 or 1-ton truck). And so far the Titan is a better vehicle for towing with more torque and at a lower rpm and also comes with a locking read diff. and Tow/Haul mode tranny option.

Then again, with the F150, Mark LT, Navigator, or Expedition, she could always put a Trilogy S/C on there... ;)

[bigslim]

I have been spending plenty of time on the Titan boards I have found. And there are some issues, but most of them have been with the 2004 and 2005 models and she would be looking at a 2006 or newer by the time she is ready to buy.

I have seen and driven both and if it were my money today, I would go with the Titan. 1) It will be her vehicle as a daily driver and the Titan is much easier to drive, especially in tight areas, 2) The Titan has a ton more features and options that are either standard or you can't even get on the F150, 3) lot more truck with the Titan than the F150 for the money, 4) Interior of Titan has much more room and more comfort than the F150 - especially the rear seat which is important when putting a baby and 8 year old in the back, 5) etc, etc, etc.

To each his own. I personally think the Titan has a lot more to offer, including more power, better sound, and better towing under load, than the F150 does. And while Motor Trend may give the F150 Truck of the Year, I prefer reviews from like Trailer Boating or PowerBoating where they review the truck in actual towing situations (which is important to us, but don't want a 3/4 or 1-ton truck). And so far the Titan is a better vehicle for towing with more torque and at a lower rpm and also comes with a locking read diff. and Tow/Haul mode tranny option.

Then again, with the F150, Mark LT, Navigator, or Expedition, she could always put a Trilogy S/C on there... ;)
First off, the Titan is a POS. There is still numerous quality problems with it. Also, the sales have been way under their projected numbers. In my opinion the Titan is one ugly azz truck.

I myself think that the interior in the F-150 is the best in any truck. I have been in a lot of F-150s and can't imagine the options missing that you talk about. I have seen some that had more options than a Cadillac.

One last thing. When you go by construction sites, what truck do you see the most of? There has to be a reason for the F-150 being the best selling vehicle so many years in a row.

[Eric91Z]

First off, the Titan is a POS. There is still numerous quality problems with it. Also, the sales have been way under their projected numbers. In my opinion the Titan is one ugly azz truck.

I myself think that the interior in the F-150 is the best in any truck. I have been in a lot of F-150s and can't imagine the options missing that you talk about. I have seen some that had more options than a Cadillac.

One last thing. When you go by construction sites, what truck do you see the most of? There has to be a reason for the F-150 being the best selling vehicle so many years in a row.

Again, to each his own. I was at the Ford dealership for about an hour today taking the wife's Ford Five Hundred in for service and 2 recalls/TSB's. While there I looked at a new F150 (FX4 and Lariat) and the Expedition (King Ranch and Eddie Bauer). The F150 interior is missing some of the nice little things that the Titan has. But those are all a matter of taste. And this vehicle would be my wife's daily driver and tow vehicle.

Again, we can all just agree to disagree. To each his own...

[Lowell]

NO RICE IN MY DRIVEWAY! I have stronger thoughts on this topic, however I thought I should be polite.

[RedMerc04]

In my opinion the Titan is one ugly azz truck.

One last thing. When you go by construction sites, what truck do you see the most of? There has to be a reason for the F-150 being the best selling vehicle so many years in a row.

Amen. Ugly indeed. The Ford is a Handsome looking Truck with a proven reliability record it may not have as much punch as the Titan but it will certainly get the job done day in and day out for years down the road. Lastly, Its a Ford not a Datsun.

oh yeah, that Honda is an absolute joke. A "truck" with a transverse mounted engine and Unit construction. My As*. Are you sure the magizine it won "truck" of the year in was motor trend and not Martha Stewart Living???

[StevenJ]

The only reason the F-150 is slower off the line is because it has a tall first gear. If it had a five or a six speed automatic with a better range of ratios, this problem would be easily solved. I believe I heard somewhere on BON that in the next refresh it will get a six speed auto but I do not know which one.

[Shora]

NO RICE IN MY DRIVEWAY! I have stronger thoughts on this topic, however I thought I should be polite.

To be honest, many rice companies (Honda, Toyota etc.) build many of their cars and trucks here in the good ol' U.S. of A. The Marauder itself does not say "Made in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com /><st1:country-region><st1:place><SPAN style=USA</SPAN></st1:place></st1:country-region>
<st1:City><st1:place><font color=" /><st1:country-region><st1:place>USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>" but rather "Made in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> with Mexican parts".

<st1:City><st1:place>Toyota</st1:place></st1:City> alone has over 9 plants here in the States employing many good old boys.

So many of the Big Three's cars are being built else where and with foreign parts that they are and feel more imported then the "ricers". Having only owned American since I began driving, I am having doubts whom I’m really supporting when I buy a supposed American car/ truck. Maybe buying a Honda supports the people who actually live here rather than in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>