I know some people use their full size trucks to their full potential, but most people don't and this would be perfect. It has a freakin trunk!!! I love this truck because of that
All these haters don't realize what this truck is used for. It is not meant for heavy duty use. It is not a work truck by any means. It is meant for the person that usually needs to transport large yet light items, but doesn't want to keep borrowing his friends pickup truck all the time. I am an artist, and sometimes I need to transport wood for frames that I make myself or transport my large paintings. I like this truck because of it's almost flat bed, where I can fit more without having to tilt items because of the fenders. I also like its hidden trunk for tools that I need to transport. It could work as a light work truck for window transporters, transporting small amounts of wood or concrete for light house projects, transporting boxes full of stuff (amazon sellers etc). On top of that, Hondas are known for their reliability and are easy to work on. I plan to buy this truck for my business which needs the frequent to occasional transport of large items. I don't plan on going off roading with it, but I know it can handle dirt roads leading to camp sites. That is all I need.
Same here. I live in Austin and use to drive around an Lexus IS250. I began getting into UAV work engineering and building projects myself. I borrowed my father's full size Toyota Tundra double cab (larger bed). The large bed was great but I never needed it all the time nor was the size and mpg great. Now I have the Ridgeline and it's absolutely the best from both worlds, the Lexus IS250 and Tundra. The ride is as smooth as the lexus and the utility is as good as the Tundra's. Honda also has more responsive steering and acceleration than Toyota; that's a plus for city driving.
Actually, it has the same payload capacity of a 1/2 Ton truck. It is good for pretty heavy loads! 1100lbs in the bed if I recall. But generally I agree with your comments.
I'm a single working girl, 65, with my own small farm. I use it to haul things I can load and unload myself and I don't have to trouble anyone. Since I've got it, I've needed it a ton more than I ever thought. I dont need it for bodies (or an ice chest) but I do love it. It's comfy, drives so nice and it's MINE. Yes, the first brand new vehicle I've ever bought. It was love at first sight. My friends all were curious at first, then seemed to approve. Doesn't matter. It's mine, not theirs.
@ein riskanter profilname looks like the perfect truck to haul grass clippings and leaves to the dumpster. I wouldn't want to put those in an SUV and ruin the carpenting
I have the first-year 2006 Ridgeline and I really like this truck. Still going strong at 220,000+ miles and rides really nice - smooth around town and on the highway. I can't imagine 95% of truck owners needing anything more. This won't trailer a bulldozer to a worksite, but has plenty of tow capacity at 5,000 lbs. I see tarted-up F150s and Sierras with big V8s that don't have a scratch in the bed or the trailer hitch, so most truck buyers are using these things as mall crawlers and carpoolers anyway. The Ridgeline excels at being a practical suburban daily driver with a ton of utility.
For someone like myself who will NEVER tow or use the full potential of a Ford F350 or Ram as I'm a city guy this seems to be a good choice. For the occasional landscaping in the backyard to haul some rocks or furniture now & then for the kids who move about every six months this seems ok. Still looking for now.
Most Ridgeline owners in the know have replaced the rear door stops with the stops from the front doors thereby fixing Honda’s design flaw for less than $50. This mod permits the rear doors to open another 6”
A Ridgeline forum guy figured out if you buy the front door stops and put them on the back doors, the doors open wide as they should with zero side effects
Tony Montana Is this only for the newer generation or the older generation as well. It seems that my door would hit the body if I let it extend any further than it does from the factory? 2006 Ridgeline
Its for the newest generation, there's over 500 posts on this, seems to be a real fix. www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/138-second-generation-ridgeline-2g-2017/204842-rear-door-opening-hack.html
@@tonymontana3742 I did the door fix, in the dark in about 20 minutes for both doors. It was cheap for the parts, and works amazingly well. Just had to remove the speaker in the door, and you have easy access.
I had a 2006 model and loved it. It was getting a little long in the tooth with 275,000 miles so I gave it to my grandson and bought a 2018 RTLE model. I do wish they had kept the right wide armrest/compartment that I had on my 2006 model. The 2018 just has a skinny armrest and it's not as comfortable. However the adaptive cruise control and new safety features are amazing. The truck almost drives itself. I also liked the nav system in the old truck better, but the new one does provide traffic alerts and alternate routes.
I just bought a 2020 RTLE and love it. I’ve owned tons of different trucks and it the best one so far. So smooth and so refined. It’s the truck I need.
I am wildly entertained by the commenters who prefer a more flat and square front end on their vehicles. Hmmm, how can we make a vehicle less aerodynamic? Thank goodness these commenters aren’t engineers.
You must be riding on the short bus to school instead of driving a pickup if that's all it takes to wildly entertain you. What the slopes effectively do is reduce the amount of space to work under the hood. Nobody buys a pickup truck thinking about trivially small fuel economy differences. Then again this isn't a truck, it's a high riding unibody car with a bed.
@David Schlueter Where did your idiotic comment go? I can't see it anymore. Tell me, are you speaking from experience about the mileage you get in your Ecoboost? Because I drive flat highway everyday and reset the L/100km and constantly get 7.8-8L/100km. Just because you drive a glorified lawn mower made for women doesn't mean you have make up false information. And seriously "I'd be lucky to get 22mpg" ??? LOL, I get that easily city driving.. Also, explain to me how my friends first gen ecoboost has 340,000km on it without any repairs other than regular maintence. He's uploading a video on the truck in a couple days, so I'll tag you in it, goof.
I own a 2018 deep scarlet RTL AWD. I'm a older male and live in a metro area. It's good for that environment. It has no start - stop engine tech that I didn't want plus it is easier to get in and out of than other trucks ( my climbing days are over ). Just 2 reasons why I passed on the new F150's that I looked at.. After 10k trouble free miles I love my Ridgy.
I love my 2017. I lived metro when I bought it, and have since moved to a small farm. Still getting the job done. Now that I'm on the farm, I wish I had a 3/4 ton... but that isn't the market Honda is chasing. Plus, there is a long list of features I'd miss from my Ridgline... including the highway MPG with my much longer commute I now have.
I bought a 2018 f150 ecoboost, but I should have really bought this truck. All I really haul is my motorcycle and my family. An f150 is overkill. I ended up buying an f150 because of the negative equity I had. Discounts made it affordable. I really wish I had the Ridgeline. I drove one and it is so much better than the body on frame trucks for everyday use
My dad has been working in a factory for the past 18 years. He just bought this same truck but in white and is the happiest man alive. Then we come back to the truck after parking at a parking lot, and what the fuck do you know it was hit multiple times by a shopping cart or something. Really sucks man.
If you buy a fully loaded ridgeline you’re getting into full size pickup pricing so be careful. The best bang for the buck really is the base “sport” model.
I think the Ridgeline hits what a lot of truck buyers actually need. For me, I can't get over that front end. I really try, and really want to be proud of what Honda created. But I can't get over that front end. You see one coming at you, and question "Is that a Pilot or a Ridgeline". And with crossovers now the "minivans" of today (in my book), I am not sure that's a confusion I'd love to project onto other drivers.
Totally agree with you, as a 2010 Ridegline owner dont understand why Honda did this. Why did not design a nice looking truck, seems like maybe they were thinking to attract female customers
100% agree. The front end is horrible. I have a 2012. Looks beefy and tough. Does exactly what I need and is comfortable. The new one looks like a minivan mated with a ford ranger. Honda missed the mark.
I have one, and I don't love the look. That said, the other features that are on this truck that aren't on the competition vehicles outweigh aesthetic concerns I have.
Wait and see what the 2020 is going to look like. There is speculation that the front grille is going to have it's own look. Personally I don't care. Look at the back of it, it's a pickup truck.
That's not full size pickup mileage! Maybe close if you're doing 80% highway for both full-size & Ridgeline. I get 15 to 17l/100km with my RAM 1500 with 50% highway. Ridgeline is at least 20% more fuel efficient if you drive in town. Maybe 25%+. Though if all you drive is highway then probably the difference is smaller but it should still be 10% better on the highway.
Love seeing everyone with their huge pickups in the suburbs proabably spending 200 bucks (CAN) to fill up. Everyone knows that if someone's neighbour has an F-150 they need to go out and get RAM or Silverado with gnarlier tires so they can give each other the nod every morning on their way to work or as they pass each other on the rugged roads of the city.
My Sierra gets the same gas mileage as this thing with over 30% more power which is kinda depressing. Honda is 90% of the way there but until they can get the weight down and the mpgs up they're missing the mark.
Wrong about the looks. It’s modern and sleek and will look great as the years go by. The truck drives like a sports car and rides like a Cadillac. Just way more enjoyable to be in hour after hour. Torque vectoring makes this thing corner incredibly ...it needs a paddle shifter! I drive mine very aggressively canyon roads etc...and it has never squealed in a turn and Honda brakes stop on a dime. What a truck it is. It will do 9 out of every 10 things a big truck will do. I have gotten 28.8 on the Hwy at 75 mph. So many bonus things on this vehicle my fav being the built in dog bowls in the back doors! Your review missed the best parts of this truck. Drive it like you stole it and you will see what I mean...
I have a Ridgeline its been 11 years of perfection and before that had a Dodge Dakota horrible. Ridgeline is the only midsize truck that a 4X8 is not blocked by wheel humps. After a hundred years all American truck companies have not figured or cared to solve the wheel hump problem.
I would never trade up my 2013 Ridgeline. I'm definitely a bigger fan of the older body style but these new ridgelines are definitely a hell of a lot nicer than any new Ford or Chevy or Dodge
The Ridgline is very nice and should suit a sizable nitch. It is a struck... but is not at the same time. It is a crossover truck. For someone who tows all the time and plans to do a bit of overlanding... I will never dream of getting one. There is no comparison for durability compared to a chevy colorado. I just got my 18' Chevy Colorado with the gasser V6, 4WD(with rear locker, and 2WD/Auto/4HI/4Low/Neutral modes), in the Loaded Z71 trim package for $32,500 a few months ago. With no advertised discounts! That is a whopping $10,000 cheaper than the Ridgeline. I am getting a little over 25.1mpg on the daily mixed commute. Got 15.something mpg on a cross country tow with 4,500lbs in a 6 x 12 enclosed cargo trailer.
if there's a gripe is that the OEM tires are puny. they shoulda been 265s, not 245s. Also, because it slopes too much at the front, this vehicle definitively benefits a lot from using a leveling kit like Truxx' 1.5" -- my air dam is all scratched from hitting bumps at parking lots.
Nice video and good content my only complaint is the volume on the music feeds as much louder than when you're speaking so the viewer is constantly adjusting is volume other than that good job
You guys have no idea..bought the first weeks production in Oct. 05......500,000 later, original paint still, its...bulletproof...really don't like the new exterior....far from aggressive looking..but, if you don't mind an old S10 look, it is a quality product....
im thinking of buying this because i like trucks, problem is i dont necessarily need on unless im moving furniture which i rarely do, so idk if it would be weird driving a truck i dont need but i like it
I would've bought a Ridgeline, but they were to expensive even used, so I bought an Element instead. I love my Element, but look forward to upgrading to a Ridgeline in the future.
I'm not towing houses or 40 foot boats,fords are just not comfortable wackie window that slopes down in the front, Chevy low mpg over priced ,dodge plain ugly. The Taco seats are narrow not a nice ride. I just put 6500 miles on my 2019 Black Edition, Wyoming Montana 100's of miles of back dirt roads ,what a sweet ride and I averaged 26 mpg.
I sold my Ram 3500 with the Cummins Diesel and got a Black Edition Ridgeline. The RL is far more technologically advanced and rides one heck of a lot better, easier to park and gets about the same fuel economy as the tuned Cummins did. The best part about owning the Honda, It'll hold it's value come trade in time. This is coming from a Honda hater too! The RL Black has definitely made me a convert right from the first test drive! If you aren't hauling a house you owe it to yourself to test drive a Ridgeline.
I have run three diesels One ford ranger And One chev colorado Z71 2016 Which I traded a month ago on a new Ridgeline. I’m now at 4400 Km’s on it I must say this...This Ridgeline is a WINNER for highway. The reardoors opening issue has a Mod on RU-vid to make them open further. I hope HONDA considers a full-size...then I can ditch my other Truck...2014 ram 1500... thing Sucks the fuel
I live in Austin and have driven around in a Lexus IS250 and 2014 Toyota Tundra (4.6L double cab). I'd say the Ridgeline so far has been the best of both worlds: the smoothness and luxury of the Lexus IS250 and the utility of a truck. Honda also has emphasize on more responsive handling and acceleration...better for city driving and getting around traffic. So the Ridgeline happens to be the perfect vehicle for me. I'd say the gas mileage is decent for what you get. @ 280 hp it's very good owing to Honda's variable cylinder management. Now for some of the cons...The Ridgeline does not look good at the moment. Exterior appeal may be a subjective thing that can change over time...but the use of curves and a bed on the Ridgeline makes it a bit ugly. Interestingly, it gives you a low profile which is exactly what I want! The current and previous generation Toyota Tundras looked the best imo. I strongly suspect the new 2019 Ford Rangers are stealing the look from the Tundras. For the post 2014 Tundra bodies, there was a bit of cost cutting that took away the curviness of the truck (they say that's what the market wanted...I think that's a bunch of crap...it was cost cutting!) Another issue I have with the Ridgeline is Honda's infotainment screen...it is a bit more stressful having to press buttons and there is some glitchy-ness and lag. Toyota's touch screens and arrangements are more "zen". All in all, the Ridgeline is the most useful in most situations...rural, city, on road, off-road, long road trips, and utility. It's not the best in any one segment but it's everything a person would ever need. That's where the Ridgeline has appeal; it's truly the most practical vehicle out there right now.
Both the full size Dodge v6 diesel and F150 2.7 turbo both gets about the same fuel economy and you retain your manhood. Price after all the discounts sometimes lower than Honda. It's a hard sell IMO.
Charles Hua does reliability mean anything to you? What’s manhood have to do with a truck. It does the job with some great features. Oh yeah, it’s a Honda and they last forever!
Charles Hua how much for the inevitable repairs on those vehicles. I’ve had my Ridgeline for 3 years and absolutely no issues and it’s just great on road trips or basic hauling needs.
I wish they would make back doors open wider, restyle the front a bit, put volume knob on headset, give it silently more aggressive stance and improve mpg. It is shaping up to be awesome truck but so far I can tell they are using the parts bin from the Pilot line.
@@hans-jurgenwiegand7465 ha, I have a 2019 rtle.. I like it a lot but the new 2021 isn’t worth upgrading. I will say the infotainment system is garbage though. Glitching and crashing with appple car play or android auto. Different cable and different phones stil does it. It is running Android version from 2015 and Honda refuses to update it. I’ll be keeping my 2019 til probably 2022 then getting electric or hybrid.
I love trucks. The Ridgeline can be good for some people like old Duane below, he made some reasonable comments. But I want a full size truck, have had Chevy 1500, two F150s, current one is 2015 F150 Ecoboost 3.5, can tow up to 10,300 pounds, which I will never tow that much, but do tow about 7,000 pounds and it tows like a diesel. Never lack for power! I've had it over 3 years now and average mpg counting towing about 4,000 miles, much city, and highway driving is 19.3 mpg. Extremely comfortable. Ethyl wants one!
Taka Yama this is a flat out lie. 2013 f150 ecoboost here towing 3000lb enclosed trailer cross country averaged 8.5mph , empty gets 16-19 towing same load with grand Cherokee with diesel got 14-15 and performed way better. Ecoboost has no balls towing and broke down with a leaking coolant line to turbo and why I’m watching this video now
Honda should have mastered the fuel economy for this one, maybe utilizing Vtec in some way. With the rear doors they should have made the rear doors suicide doors that opened backwards to maximize entry/loading space.
When I was in granite countertops business I tow with my Ridgeline from 2008 to 2012 on a regular basis 2 to 8 slabs of granite on my trailer, I still have the Ridgeline with 193000 miles on it and have no problem with the transmission. Ridgeline is the best midsize truck but also one of the ugliest. My friends and family like everything about the trucks, but the look.
People buy trucks for work, you were comparing the ridgeline to a Silverado and f150, those are work trucks, of course they won't handle as well on the street. The ridgeline is good at being a city truck and that's all. Some people have big trucks for towing, that's why ford has an f250 and f350.
Grant Elliott but those full size trucks get better fuel economy in many cases which I find funny, my 2017 titan full size truck with a v8 average 18 ish and my father's gmc Sierra with cylinder deactivation was getting 24 average which is nuts and because full size trucks are always having deals on them, when I went to the dealership I was looking at getting a frontier, in the end they hooked me up with the titan for less, who's gonna argue with that?
"People buy trucks for work"... Well, some do. Yes, there are a good number of people that use a 1/2 ton or bigger truck for work or hauling. To be fair, there's also plenty that use mid-size trucks for work. But in either case, they are outnumbered by those that don't and just like to envision the work it could do. I live in Texas and holy crap do we love trucks. But on any given day you'll see most of them are just being driven around the city hauling people or an occasional small load in the bed. The biggest percent of those would actually get by fine with a Ridgeline. Having said that, starting at $30k ... you might as well just buy a freaking full size truck and pretend it's work when you bring home a few bags of mulch and a couple of 2x4's.
Given it is a review for a "truck" , and since it is apparently better than the rest , perhaps putting a bit of load in it and giving it a run might be a good thing ?
Sorry, it might work great but I just couldn’t stomach looking at that thing in my driveway every morning. I went with a Tacoma TRD Sport and couldn’t be happier for my uses.
It's not a real pickup. Okay, that's fine. If I was still a blue-collar guy and needed a rugged work truck, this would NOT be my choice. But as a daily driver for occasional hauling large stuff home from Lowe's or helping with moves, AWD for snow...it's more than truck enough for my needs, and rides like a car, AND has that legendary Honda reliability.
To me these are like a 4 door El Camino. Just funky. But ok. I would by far prefer a 2 door Ridgeline with a smaller wheel base and much fewer useless do dads...I wonder if I am the only one that likes that kind of truck any more?
Most people who buy pickups don't need them! It is an ego trip. I worked in heavy construction for decades and drove/used every type of truck including semis and do not see any reason to personally own a pick up. The too high prices, the low mpg, the awkward parking challenges. I remodeled 2 houses using an old car with the seats taken out or rented a truck at home depot Lowes. A pickup truck with a short bed is useless anyway! Owning a pickup is like advertising that you lack something and are compensating, unless you have a career use or have a huge boat or RV.
Not sure I agree here. Your car with the seats taken out would be very inconvenient when I wanted to haul my family. Yet weekly I have items in the back of the truck - many that are too large for a trunk or in the inside of a car... or they would be stinky/gross. Like animals or trashbags or gas/diesel cans.
@@drewsiebert9903 definitely uses for pickups, but if I bought one, which I want to do, I'd have to invent some reasons to use it. They're awesome but a lot of people's lifestyles just don't call for them at all
I tow a camper for recreational leisure. If this vehicle rides and feels just like the Pilot, but I can use the bed for landscaping or home remodeling, then it's the one for me.
Too bad that in Canada this "truck" starts at almost $50,000, for which you can easily buy a very well equipped 1/2 ton truck that can do a lot more. Plus this thing has the same front end as their minivan. No thanks.
Take a Honda Crosstour cut the back down and there you go...a truck!! basically this “truck” is just an el camino that has a higher body design. Can you tow with it? More than 3500 lbs ?? El camino !! can you take it off road...over more that say a small size pebble?? El camino !! And let’s not forget....this thing gets the same gas mileage as a full size truck with a V8 !! some dude posted “environmentally friendly”. What a dill weed !!!! Smaller, can’t tow, bad mpg and no 4 wheel drive and almost the same price ?!? What a steal !!!! Feckin video jack wagon
robert war Ridgeline=ride quality? Much better! Towing=5000pound! Fits the use of 98% of 'trucks' in the US! So for daily use and practicallity=RIDGELINE try one before comment - El Camino?=El Forgetto🤓
Why do people try to compare the Ridgeline to a full size? Its no match to an F150 obviously. Competitors are the Avalanche, Tacoma, Colorado, and Canyon. All of which are also no match to a full size truck like an F150 or silverado
You're right, the RL is missing some features that full size trucks have (namely towing capacity). But full sized trucks are missing some features RLs have (like a trunk, composit bed, often fuel economy, in-bed outlet, and more). So it is still worth the comparison IMO. Some people will be deciding between full sized and a ridgline.
For the price i'm not sure i don't want a Taco so i can take it deer hunting in the winter and tow a boat in the summer; i dunno but best tailgate truck ever
I'm I interested but there is so much negativity amongst so many responders concerning timing belt transmission 4th gear won't engage engine valves and cylinders working jamming etc what's the truth? I want to get one but afraid I'll be stuck
this is not a truck, it's a suv with the roof cut-out at the back. it's the same type of car as it was with the el camino. i was considering to buy this but there were some reliability issue with this car, you all can google it.
I am thinking that the price and operating costs differences between buying a Toyota Camry LE and a full size truck with a long bed and similar features as the camry could easily pay for some one else to do my "truck stuff" for me with thousands of dollars of cash left over.
I average 21 on mixed driving conditions, sometimes even 22. 27-28 on highway and to be honest, that's barely worse than my old kia soul that I replaced with the ridgeline.
2 biggest pet peeves with this truck: they really need to redo the front end. It's way too soft in the front with some oversized bug eye lights. Rest of the truck looks great from other angles. I also HATE that they make that beautiful maroon color with only tan interior. They've been doing that for so many years now. Atrocious.
Ride's nice... drove one before I bought my truck, but not a truck! Especially if you grew up in the sticks! I definitely wouldn't mind if my wife drove it!
@@drewsiebert9903 Agree, around town, great vehicle! My wife is getting ready to buy a pilot. Tried to talk her into an RL, but we need a vehicle that can travel far for 4 adults.. comfortably. Tired of feeding my Tundra on long trips! Hope you are enjoying your truck! Yes I said truck.
I really like the Pilot. I owned two prior to my RL. I tried to talk my wife into that, instead of the Highlander she just purchased. They both have pros and cons, but the Pilot won in my mind. Sadly, the Highlander won in her mind.
Thanks for sharing. I don't hate the Highlander, but I already shared my opinion... I am actually in her HIghlander today and she's in my Ridgeline taking gallons of paint to waste disposal today. I hope you do get a RL. I love it!
I have a 2011 Ridgeline and love it. Every time I meet a Ridgeline owner, they say the same thing. The only vehicle I would consider as a replacement... A newer Ridgeline. However, as this one is still performing so well, it might be a while. 😜
The TOTAL DREAM MACHINE ~ Maybe Expensive ~ But Well Worth the Extra MOOLAH ~ Drives & Handles like a Rolls Royce ~ I FEEL like Christie Brinkley in Her Ferrari in National Lampoon's Vacation when i Drive Mine ~ If you're Concerned about the High Price then just Search for a CREAM PUFF Used Model as there are some Great Ones on the Market as i found My Dream in UTAH ~~ They just need to Work on that Gas Mileage ~ ! ~ I already have Three Chevy Silverado's & a Ridgeline ~ But Guess which is My Favorite ~ ?
Baloney! Crappy ground clearance makes this a useless vehicle where I live unless you just use it for a grocery getter. I believe a deep sandy beach would expose the flaws pretty quickly.
1.5" is the difference between this and a Tacoma. Sometimes, 1.5" might make all the difference in the world. But I still want to point out, you're saying that by-eye you know this would be useless where you live because of 1.5" difference in ground clearance.
Absolutely. An inch and a half is massive when taking a vehicle off road in deep sand, mud or climbing over obstacles. Here at Carolina Beach it is very common to find Hondas buried at the entrance ramp. I suspect that the tranny would overheat as well since the Ridgeline had already overheated in even dry trail tests such as TFL has done. It's a nice looking grocery getter though but way overpriced for that.
Hmmm... seems to be doing OK in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MMSEbhaPZVg.html Also seems to do OK in my muddy pasture... Also... you are proposing that where you live it is worthless. Do you have to drive across the beach to get to your garage? Does everyone who lives in your town own vehicles capable of sand escapades? I just did streetview in town, and I see two wheel drive cars! Somehow, amazingly, people are getting by.
You need to explore the truck more, 2021 models have sand, mud and snow modes, as well as drive mode! If sand and mud work as well as the snow mode, this is a winner!
