Honda Ridgeline - The Anti-Pickup
Discussion
Having scratched the V8 itch when I bought my Toyota Sequoia a couple of years ago, I decided it was time to get something different, and a pickup seemed like a good choice. I currently drive a Ford F150 (with the coyote V8) for work, and I didn’t really need something that size for my personal fleet.
I therefore decided to go for a mid-size pickup. Over here in the US there are several choices including the Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and, probably the most unconventional of the bunch, the Honda Ridgeline.
I narrowed my options down to the Tacoma and Ridgeline. The Tacoma, which, from the figures I've seen, outsells the Ridgeline by approximately eight to one, didn’t really impress me. The level of standard equipment was fairly limited and, apart from off-road capability, it didn’t appear as good overall as the Ridgeline.
What makes the Ridgeline unique in the mid-size truck category is that, rather than using a body-on-frame construction, it is a unibody - which is something that pickup traditionalists really don't like. However, one upside of this design is that the ride quality is significantly better than its competitors.
After several weeks of searching, I found a 2018 Ridgeline RTL-E that ticked all the boxes so went ahead and bought it. The RTL-E comes with pretty much everything, including Honda’s Sensing suite of safety features. It's powered by a 3.5L V6 VTEC engine.
Until the 2020 model year, Honda did not have a locking tailgate on the Ridgeline, although the built-in trunk came with central locking. Honda did, however, release an OEM lock kit that could be retrofitted to earlier models. I went ahead and did this, which was a fairly straightforward and cheap modification.
I'm very impressed with it so far. It's great to drive and, compared to my work truck, is a lot more composed on the road.
I therefore decided to go for a mid-size pickup. Over here in the US there are several choices including the Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and, probably the most unconventional of the bunch, the Honda Ridgeline.
I narrowed my options down to the Tacoma and Ridgeline. The Tacoma, which, from the figures I've seen, outsells the Ridgeline by approximately eight to one, didn’t really impress me. The level of standard equipment was fairly limited and, apart from off-road capability, it didn’t appear as good overall as the Ridgeline.
What makes the Ridgeline unique in the mid-size truck category is that, rather than using a body-on-frame construction, it is a unibody - which is something that pickup traditionalists really don't like. However, one upside of this design is that the ride quality is significantly better than its competitors.
After several weeks of searching, I found a 2018 Ridgeline RTL-E that ticked all the boxes so went ahead and bought it. The RTL-E comes with pretty much everything, including Honda’s Sensing suite of safety features. It's powered by a 3.5L V6 VTEC engine.
Until the 2020 model year, Honda did not have a locking tailgate on the Ridgeline, although the built-in trunk came with central locking. Honda did, however, release an OEM lock kit that could be retrofitted to earlier models. I went ahead and did this, which was a fairly straightforward and cheap modification.
I'm very impressed with it so far. It's great to drive and, compared to my work truck, is a lot more composed on the road.
I suspect his employer might not be overly impressed by the transport of illegals, preferring him to use company vehicles.
Good choice though. I've looked at the ridgeline a little whenever the truck urge strikes me, but fortunately it doesn't last long.
Unibody means you don't have to get the frame replaced like on the Tacoma....
IIRC load capacity on body on frame vehicles is higher but that's the only advantage, so if it's only light or occasional use, unibody is a much better idea.
Good choice though. I've looked at the ridgeline a little whenever the truck urge strikes me, but fortunately it doesn't last long.
Unibody means you don't have to get the frame replaced like on the Tacoma....
IIRC load capacity on body on frame vehicles is higher but that's the only advantage, so if it's only light or occasional use, unibody is a much better idea.
I’ve got one of the original shape ridgelines from back in 2011 or thereabouts. I have always wondered what the PH opinion would be of what is really quite an obscure looking vehicle. I think it’s a shame Honda went more conventional with their new ridgeline but I have no doubt it’s a much better vehicle all around and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Original vehicle is perfectly capable and I’ve never had a need to swap it for a full size pickup, it holds several 4x8 sheets of plywood, can carry 12+ foot 2x material through the center window etc., all while lugging my family around in relative comfort. When I first got it I thought it was butt ugly, but it has grown on me over the last 3ish years.
Original shape for reference (I don’t have any actual photos of mine which tells you how much I “love” it)
Original shape for reference (I don’t have any actual photos of mine which tells you how much I “love” it)
BertieWooster said:
The Moose said:
jimmyjimjim said:
I suspect his employer might not be overly impressed by the transport of illegals, preferring him to use company vehicles.
I guess it depends on the purpose of the transportation. I was thinking more for the side hustle 
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