How does the Honda Ridgeline handle car seats? Is it family friendly? 

Awesome!

If you are in the market for a midsize truck then the seating is by far the best than the competition for rear passengers. My dad has a Tacoma and my son without the car seat already hits the back of the seat when we sit. If the car seat was there, his feet would be cut off. Unless you go full size the midsize trucks will always be less than ideal but the Ridgeline makes life so much more practical and livable in this segment for families. By far the best choice. Actually was the Main reason I got it myself in the first place.

It was implied. But yes, 2017 also needs the door checker mod.

I have the rear facing behind the passenger. It allows for better seating for the driver.

Yes you can!

There is a hidden compartment for kids who are not behaving so well.

If you are driving 50 miles a day then right away a hybrid system I would say is much better over regular fuel. Reason is that most hybrid systems have around a 30 mile range before the fuel is used. So your MPGe is going to be much better. The seats in the ridgeline though are probably the most comfortable in the segment, however this is only my opinion. Just like a bed everyone has a personal preference. I personally like that the ridgeline feels soft and is not a hard for drivers and it is similar in the rear with it being a little bit more sturdy because of that folding design that allows for almost full access to the rear for storage which is heavenly. If you are buying new then the rear doors have the rear door checker modification now from factory and open up wider than previous models. However! The ridgeline rear door is smaller than the pilot rear door by probably 4-6 inches. So you are limited to the width over traditional vehicles. I believe the Ford has a wider rear door than the Ridgeline. The Fuel efficiency in the city is going to depend heavily on how many hills you have to come across. Example, my wife's Subaru Forester can get 25 MPG on average but when she went to work in Tacoma Washington even it was a 15 mile trip total she was getting 19-20 mpg because of the very large hills she encountered. So unfortunately its not possible to give you an estimate of what you could expect in the city as it heavily varies. The newer model Ridgeline also have auto Engine start/stop so that can heavily save fuel in the city. I have videos about fuel economy tests in my channel if you are interested to see how good the ridgelines fuel efficiency can be for highway driving. In the strictly gas segment it is the best and most fuel efficient truck on the market with the most power and best driving position. I hope this answers your questions.

Thank you very much for your great response. Where I live there is no hills at all. I live in clovis california.

It looks great. But still the same truck so no reason for me to upgrade.

I’d wait for the Honda 10-speed transaxle to replace the ZF9 before making that next purchase. By 2023 or 2024, they’ll likely integrate the Acura RDX/MDX light hybrid 40+ HP electric assistant motors, matted to their 3.2 L-V6.

I have a 2006 RTL with 226k as a DD, for me, it's time. Was looking at the black colour with HPD but after seeing it in the wild, it looks too garish for my taste. Sticking with the 2021 black RTL-E and hopefully if we have a child, the middle way they will go.

@@mgp9733 Why do so many people love or not the wasteful, about 2500 dollars for the HPD package, don't because you can use the money for the Child seat....s..... maybe twins, you never know!

The latch actually goes through the top and down behind the seat in the seam where the seat belts buckle. You do not hook it to the top.

Thank you very much! Trying to understand our new ridgeline and car seat

Dunno. Will have to get a crate in order to test it out. currently do not have one. Is that for people who take their dogs to work with them? Not sure why a dog crate would be necessary?

I think some states now have travel restrictions for pets. Basically to protect a pet in the event of a crash. Shouldn’t be an issue here in the Deep South or Midwest. My 2020 Ridgeline opens the additional 11% at the rear doors. Let me know the measurements of your dog crate and I can estimate if it’ll fit. My neighbors wanted to purchase a Ridgeline after seeing mine, but didn’t buy a Ridgeline because they have two dogs. The raised channel tray for the support bar locker has discouraged pet owners, who don’t feel their dog can lay down and sleep with that raised channel in the way. I suggested cutting foam board into two panels on either side of that raised channel to level it off. Then cut a veneer-plywood 3/32” or 1/16” as a topper for a solid surface on top of the foam board. Another option would be to simply remove that raised channel (probably just a few machine screws) while transporting pets, while the rear seat remains in an upright position anyways. Ultimately, they purchased a F-150 for the additional room and those seats don’t have any support bar in the way of their pets.

Daniel Stinson Good info...thanks...my crate is 36” long by 28” wide by 27” high. The crate is the only approved highway safety crate....not a flimsy wire crate that would poke a hole in your dog in the event of a crash. I really want a new Ridgeline...unless they revive the Honda Element. lol

@@joyofanimation, no not even close. From the cup holder to the raised seat, where both protrude out the most, 18” of width will work with limited wiggle room. Sliding in by way of length, I believe 32” will clear the center console enough with the driver’s seat temporarily full forward. Then it could be straightened out and driver’s seat returned back to its original position. Height is of no issue. Above are the numbers that I’d be comfortable with, so that the vehicle isn’t destroyed. Assuming the dog jumps in, after the cage is loaded. I have a hard time believing a full sized truck could even add the additional 10+” that you need. Maybe a Ram with the sliding minivan rear door could make this happen. Otherwise, a solid fiberglass bed topper with windows, mounted on the Ridgeline would work since the power sliding rear window would allow A/C and heating to reach the bed area. This is especially true since tri-zone is available at the rear seat. The tie downs are well positioned to securely hold down a dog cage. I’d recommend a rubberized bed mat to muzzle any vibration between the bed and cage, not to mention preventing any cage slippage. The height of the fiberglass bed topper would be 30+” by my estimate. Also, these fiberglass bed toppers are available in the Honda OEM paint color of your choice. A few commuters around my area have them and the Ridgeline basically appears to be a Pilot while it’s mounted. We used a Leer one back in the 80’ - 90’s on our Ford Ranger. The ones offered today are more seem less and better fitting.

Daniel Stinson Thank you so much for the measurements. Guess I will keep my 2006 Honda Element.

Hahahaha! 🤣 atleast by then it will be fully upgraded. Maybe turbo or super charged. 🤔

definitely agree. Long road trips are a no go with this with car seats and for tall people. But as stated for a family vehicle for local drives then this is going to do the job well enough. Car seats are a bit tricky because kids come in all different shapes and sizes so some kids have long legs and other kids have short legs so to say it fits everyones needs is not possible but I think its fair to say that for a mid size truck its going to be very competitive if not the best in the segment.

I am in the same boat. After covid I will be adding a truck. Would love a mid size ridgeline but at 6’4 abs my wife 5’10 I will be just buying a full size again.

@@btbbelesky I would only recommend that you go and test drive all the trucks you are interested in and then slowly eliminate the ones that don't work. Driving a ridgeline completely changed my opinion on the truck. However if I was buying a full size truck I would buy a GMC Sierra. :) So nice.

@@YuriyMotso yea wife and I are going to test drive all the trucks and SUVs we like once we actually have to commute again. Being work from home we just rocking one car since not much is going on

Good luck driving a full size pickup in the northeast. The kids will fit just fine in a midsize with the front seats most of the way back.

My kid is only two years old. At this rate in a few months he will out grow them. He's already 38" tall!

I think putting him in the middle position, would give him no feet obstruction, and more driver room. My baby is a 50 year old grandma, and still needs her mom & dad. Her older sister is really impressed with the rear seat comfort & stadium seating. Good luck, from another 6’2” driver, wish I was in your shape, still. 5 great grandchildren, time sure flies!

@@hans-jurgenwiegand7465 if your daughter still needs you, than shame on you. 😆. I know a few of my buddies in their late 30s and their parents pay for everything. Everything, house, car, food, utilities, and even vacations.