The Ranger is new to us, but has been made since 2011.
That was a design error that's fixed for $20 in parts. Corrected in 2020 & later models. Interior space is very good in the Ridgeline.The new ridgeline has lots of negative in my books, first is rear entry is narrower, unless you have little kids only, it sucks big time to get in and out.
Why don't you look at the capacities before making such a statement? It handles as much or more than almost every midsize truck. The payload is in the 1400-1500lb range (I've definitely been near that) and it tows 5000lbs - pulls my subcompact Kubota with loader and mowing deck easily. 4x8' sheeting lays down flat between the small rear-wheel humps. It has a locking trunk in the bed and a two-way tailgate. The only thing it's not especially good at is off-roading - not much ground clearance - and some do tow more.I haven't read MT in a lot of years, but when a unibody "lifestyle truck", limited to mall runs and questionable duty cycle achieves second place, the results should all be questioned.
It does about everything as well as or better than the competitors - some things much better. Not great off road due to limited ground clearance. Bed capacity is ~1500#, and 4x8' sheets fit flat between the small wheel wells.I would classify the Ridgeline as a truck-wannabe! I'm surprised it even made it into this comparo.
The Ridgeline's suspension parts are like 25% beefier than the Pilot's. The bed capacity is about 1500#, and I've tested that. It carries 4x8' sheets flat in the bed.Originally Posted by tcp71
I haven't read MT in a lot of years, but when a unibody "lifestyle truck", limited to mall runs and questionable duty cycle achieves second place, the results should all be questioned.
Originally Posted by SubLGT
The majority of privately owned pickups are used as Lifestyle Vehicles (LV). Half the parking spots at the grocery store are taken by 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton pickups. The Ford Raptor is the ultimate LV.
The Ridgeline should be called the Pilot El Camino.
As for the Raptor and the others, I see people baby those and treat them like a Range Rover or a Mercedes. To me, a truck is meant to work, haul and do things you can't do in a regular car.
I'm on my second Ridgeline - a 2007, now a 2019 - and you're right; it does most things as well or better than its competitors. And it drives like a dream, with an advanced torque-vectoring AWD system.I think smaller trucks don't get the credit they deserve, especially the Ridgeline. I often hear people say they're not "real trucks" (whatever that means), and not capable of doing anything more than carrying a few bags of mulch, which simply isn't true. I've hauled over 1,300 lbs in the bed of my 06 Ranger, and towed over 4,000 lbs with it, and it's always performed fantastically. I've never needed or wanted a bigger truck for hauling things, although more passenger room would've been nice. Can it carry/tow as much as an F150? No, of course not. If it could, the F150 wouldn't exist. But these trucks have more than enough capability for many people, including many people who are currently driving full size trucks.
When Honda first started making the Ridgeline, I also dismissed it as being incapable of most things. Then I started looking at its specs, and realized it's VERY comparable to my Ranger in terms of payload, towing capacity, and cargo volume. Now I have a more open mind, and if I had to replace my Ranger, I'd strongly consider a Ridgeline as a replacement. It should, at least on paper, perform just as well.