@@automation7295 to me the new redgeline is the closest thing we have to an 80s mini truck , remember most mini trucks in the 80s were based on compact cars , the nissan hardbody was based on the Sentra, the Toyota truck SR5 was based on the Corolla, the VW rabbit pickup was based on the rabbit hatch and back then Honda never built a mini truck , so I think it's a good move by their part .
I find it interesting that everyone talks shit about the Ridgeline and says it’s not a real truck, but yet Ford and Hyundai build a slightly smaller version of the Ridgeline and people love it.
Ridgeline is junk. But I do agree. Most people with new trucks don't even tow or haul. They are just driving to work and to their kids soccer practice. But still. These Honda trucks are garbage. I sold GMC trucks for a while and Everytime one would roll in the owner would just tell me how much " better" their Honda was compared to a Denali. Lol. Junk
@@braydenmcneal6709 I tow with mine just like I towed with my Jeep Cherokee. Stay in the limits of the vehicle and there isn't an issue. Which is 5000lbs. Most people don't tow more than 2000lbs a few times a year.
I had a 1st gen ridgeline and it really suprised me offroad. The all wheel drive system works incredibly well. I climbed a few enbankments that my trd tundra 4x4 didnt make it up. Also drove in bumper deep snow and drove circles around solid axle 4x4 trucks.
I got a Ridgeline this summer. I had a lot of fun going places that I couldn't get to in my previous crossover SUV. That may be more a commentary on how badly suited my last vehicle was than how great the Ridgeline is offroad. Still I got up hills that were stupid to even try in my RAV4. It was really fun to get to trailheads that I couldn't before.
@@thepaininducer8531 I guess, looks more like a truck than the first one. Still don't know why nobody else has caught on with the tailgate and in bed trunk. Instead somebody came up with a overpriced multi piece tailgate option.
@@fuosdi64 that's right I'm 17 and every kid makes fun of me for driving an 87 Toyota pickup 5 speed 22R , but their new F150's Chevy Silverado's and Dodge ram 25000's are always at the shops , due the electronics issues and automatic transmission problems .
@@Sheridantank I own a 2008 ridgeline and remodel houses. I keep all my cordless and general use tools in the trunk. Coolest thing ever. Not like a cross-bed tool box that takes up bed space.
We have 35 acres of farm/woods. I had a Sierra then two Silverados. Now have a Ridgeline. Now I wish my vehicle was larger a few times a year rather than wishing my vehicle was smaller every day. The Ridgeline obviously does not have the load or towing capability, but is better in almost every other way for my needs.
@@MrTresto If you really don't need a truck it does. The Ridgeline buyer would most likely be better off with an SUV/crossover and a trailer which would make more sense for people moving and occasional cargo. I'm am more in line with Ralph's needs and pull heavy dump trailers. The Ridgeline would last a few hours with one of my trailers behind it.
My dad just got one of these…one fun quirk that you would have enjoyed, the higher end trim levels have a Trunk Bed Speaker system that is really weird and works pretty well actually.
@@bravobrk you said it perfectly. I was like those are awful. Looks like someone took a new ridgeline and modified it with their own EBay kits. Awful. Can’t believe it came from the factory like that
I’m always surprised there is not more demand for pickups to hold 4’ x 8’ plywood/drywall. Wouldn’t a minivan like a Chrysler Pacifica or Kia Carnival offer more utility for a lot of home construction contractors? Also better for 8 foot boards to build a deck etc. But I guess at that point you might also buy a work van.
Exactly why I bought my Chevy Avalanche with the fold down rear wall and window. It was the only truck that could haul 8 foot boards completely enclosed INSIDE the vehicle with nothing sticking out or hanging over like my 3rd gen Honda CRV could.
Most people who *actually* use their vehicle to work buy vans. Everybody who says they need their pickup for work is either lying, or do something super niche.
If I didn't read this comment I wouldn't have known This is misleading, and it's not the first time Doug fails to deliver, almost every other video there's one or more big mistake like this. Dude needs to put more effort.
@@erichschmidt8226 Doug's point is reasonable tho, in the case of this specific vehicle. It claims to be a performance model but all the upgrades are purely cosmetic.
A cool feature @Doug didn't mention ( or find) is that if you drop your key in the lockable trunk, it will NOT close. It'll just keep popping back open. Also just to note: Doug is reviewing the 'Sport' package which is essentially the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to features. My 2017 RTL-T has all of the bells and whistles he is complaining about the truck not having, including: heated seats, electronic seats, lighted mirrors, rear chargers, and Apple CarPlay 4 years ago.
*"This just in, automobile manufacturer Honda is banned from selling its new line of pickup trucks in America due to its similarities with police departments"*
Honda says (forgive my poor memory) something like 92% of truck owners will never tow more than that. In their lives. Again, if you ain't one of them...
Honestly couldn’t have said it better. For me though, I am not ashamed in saying I love the ridge line and how it gives a giant middle finger to all other trucks.
@@FormerMoonGod I'm going back out after lunch and get a couple more loads of rock in my double axle dump trailer. Bring that big finger on over and I won't need to work my F350 all day.
@@KyleKilroy You can spec one up to almost 50k but the one with pretty much all the features like heated seats, sunroof, wireless phone charger, 540w audio system, in-bed stereo system, etc. starts at $42,420. With the HPD package like this one, it'll be like 45k.
Yea, a Honda dealer close by me has that, the higher tier ridgeline and me and my dad went to go see it, it's very different compared to this one, like this one was just made for the exterior look and left out the electrical socket, the sunroof and the memory electric seating with up to 4 sets from what I remember. Except that one went all the way up to 52k or 55k with the included HPD package. My dad really wanted it but then told him that at that price and since he wants to tow his boat and a little off-road, you can get the base model Rubicon or even Sahara which start at 43k and has way more versatility than the ridgeline, even at such a high asking price.
I bought a 2021 Ridgeline and have used it for a year so far. I'm in my upper 60s. I haul plywood and lumber. I love the tailgate! I can get into it easier. I hunt with it with no issues. I haul a trailer with 2 round bales with no issues. It has wiring for trailer breaking system. The clearance to the ground isn't high making it easier to get in and out. We've taken this truck on long trips and has been great. Some of the "quirks" are not quirks. Example is the storage compartment on the side wall of the bed. I put tie down straps there. I like it. This truck definitely serves me well.
I kept hoping for this review cause of that. I find it upsetting that they are so interested in pushing the HDP package they are not promoting what makes this truck special.
@@derek723 just asked my buddy with a tacoma and he said yeah the wells block it. I drive a f150 and a sierra at work, never assumed there'd be a problem with smaller trucks. Guess we need to make them bigger
My grandpa has a ridgeline just because owning a pickup truck was on his bucket list. Never once has he used it as a pickup truck. Describing it as a truck for non-truck people is the perfect way to put it.
I still have my 2006 that I bought in July 2005, one of the first off the line. I'm not a rancher or a construction worker so it has been perfect for me. Never once used the trunk as a cooler.
@@n0tfbnglz 325k and still going strong!!! Timing belt and water pump changed 2x regular oil change every 5k. My goal is 400k miles or more and then I’ll buy my super cars and luxury truck/suv.
They already copied Toyota once, that would just be embarrassing. Unless they add actual off-roading upgrades like a TRD Pro does (shocks, lift, etc), it will always be seen as a lesser truck.
Just came across this. I’ve owned a 2023 ridgeline sport for a couple months now. I use the truck as a truck to haul construction materials. The bed is very functional and easy to strap down materials. The inverter opening is great for storing your straps. I don’t have the inverter. The trunk is great for storing my jumper / air box along with tools / supplies I don’t want flying around in my back seat. Just have to load first before filling the bed. Keeps your backseat a lot cleaner. Drives very smooth and gets decent highway mileage. I’ve driven many Chevy and ford trucks. As long as you don’t need more towing capacity it does everything a truck needs to do pretty well.
@@johnjacob688 because there's many different cities that start with H. thats the punchline of his joke! that's what makes it so funny! Houston, Hampton, Hyrum, Hillsdale, Habersham,
I just Bought 2021 Ridgeline RTLE highest trim $45K and I got everything. Heated seats, Leather seats, Sunroof, power seats, tonneau cover, premium sound, in bed sound system and power outlet and visor mirror lights lol
@@bravobrk Como putas no me rio correctamente, mae mi papá y yo estaba viendo el video y los dos nos reímos porque doug decía El Cojon. Jajaja pura vida
My dad had an ‘08 ridgeline and loved it. When looking for a replacement after 240,000 miles, he thought about the tacoma, gladiator, and the new ridgeline. He almost got the gladiator because of the stock manual but the deciding factor came down to the fact that you can’t fit a standard piece of plywood in the back of any other midsize pickup. You can in the ridge
Okay I see everyone say this, which bothers me. The Honda Ridgeline (at least the second gen) has a “subframe” unibody chassis, where the unibody connected with the bed is connected to another frame, which are then welded together. If you want more confirmation than look it up.
@@meltedbrain85 dude, these R the funny parts about it, ppl watch him because of his funny nature asside from the extensive detailed review of stuff others don't cover
I have a 2021 Sport with the HPD package that is my daily driver. I use it for work, and it’s been one of the best “work” vehicles I have ever owned. The in-bed storage bin and the 2 way tailgate were huge selling points for me. The interior room with the rear seat folded up was amazing also. It’s very likely, I’ll buy another one when it comes time to trade again. It’s also one of the only mid-sized trucks eligible for the Section 179 tax credit on “business equipment”.
That 1st gen Ridgeline looked tough and I really liked how it looked. These new ones look pretty weak, but looks aside, it's got a lot of other good stuff going for it.
@@fluffyres6107 Thank you! Every time I read an article about Maverick, all the comments are positive. But Ridgeline gets destroyed with “minivan” insults at the mere mention.
@@fluffyres6107 I like both. But the RL has a few things that bother me that the Maverick got right. For example the RL’s adaptive cruise cuts off at 22 mph, whereas the maverick has low speed follow. The ridgeline has skinny little center armrests, the Maverick has a normal center armrest so my elbow wont be hanging off. The RL’s infotainment is also really subpar compared to the Maverick. Also you can get a Maverick Lariat with every option for less $ than a base RL sport. Small petty things, but stuff that in my opinion would make the Maverick easier to live with. Just wish the Maverick could tow the full 5000 lbs like the RL and Santa Cruz. No denying Ridgeline is a great truck though.
I got my 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport for $35,800 and my 2016 Sonata was traded in for $8500. Love my Ridgeline and its the best small truck on the market id say. Most are just too afraid that people wont take them seriously with one. This is the biggest cabin in the midsize truck segment also so get a full size if you really need alot of room. This engine is great, reliable, gets better mileage and better power than all but 1 truck which only gets better power. The AWD system is excellent as well
I just don’t understand why you would get a ridge line over a Tacoma. Both are reliable, but the Tacoma does towing and truck-related things better. It has a much better ground clearance and interior is on par if not better. The double cabs have more usable interiors and while you don’t get the bed trunk, you get a full size spare. The road feel is only improved over potholes and dirt road conditions where the independent rear can function, on road the Tacoma has good dampening and less body roll than the ridge line
@@jacobhauenstein well, the ridgline Just drives and feels a lot better on the road. Its faster and mroe comfortable, more interior space. Most people don't need the full capability of the tacoma
@@32Inchtallchicken It ain't real what? This is more truck than literally 90% of people will ever need. In their lives. It is so much better at performing everyday tasks than a "real" truck that it is a mystery why EVERYONE who wants a small pickup wouldn't look at one of these first. There's a reason we don't make body-on-frame cars anymore. Do you think that there's something magic about a light-duty truck that somehow requires virtually antique tech to allow it to function? For the right user, this is an excellent alternative.
fun fact: this engine is also in the honda odyssey, passport, and prev gen acura tlx, the screen and rear seatback are from the pilot, and the whole interior is the pilot
It’s a shame they gave him a sport and not an RTL-E or a black edition…so many more quirks…used to sell them he didn’t even get to see the in bed speaker
This truck is exactly what I'm looking for. A daily driver that I can haul some plywood or mulch from the home improvement store. Heaviest thing I'd tow would be my lawn mower.
"Old school traditional gauge display" Someday I should get a car that's newer than a decade old. I still think the little display on my 2001 Corvette is pretty fancy.
Smack talk all you want, this is one of the most in-demand vehicles on earth. I work at a Honda dealership and if we actually get one that hits the lot, meaning that it is not pre-sold from the factory, it usually lasts about 24 hours because we have a long waiting list of people that want to buy one as soon as it hits the ground. They ride and drive better than anything else with a truck bed, Ford is even trying to copycat Honda with their new Maverick vehicle because they know how high the demand is for this kind of vehicle.
Ah yes! I’m so glad you’re reviewing the Ridgeline Doug! I really truly think the Ridgeline was and is the best ‘truck’ on the market. Freaking love my Gen 1 beefy boy, and love this 2021 model, although you’re absolutely right - the newer models lost their ‘inventive design’.
@@automation7295Literally noone is wishing death upon him. Yes he is allowed to make little mess ups but that doesn't exclude us from poking fun at them, especially when he makes them pretty frequently
The only time I thought power seats were cool was when I was 10 and my grandparents bought a new Cadillac. I kind of get it if you and your wife share a car and are swapping every day, but I personally set my seat once and it will sit in that position for years without movement. BMW has had some awesome manual seats with good adjustment in a bunch of different directions including thigh adjustment. I'd rather have a good manual adjust seat over an average electric adjust seat.
Agreed. I'm the only one who drives my car, so I the only time I rarely want to adjust it is to recline if I'm parked waiting. But I never do it because my car is old, and I choose not to run the risk of those power seats finally breaking down in an unsafe driving position. It's also annoying to hold a button while the seat reclines slowly; I'd rather pull a lever and in one second lean back to where I want the seat. Same goes for power passenger seats. That seat might need to lean or slide forward or back once a year when I have a rear seat passenger or cargo. Power seats address a problem that's never existed, and complicate a function that was already convenient.
Our 2014 odyssey has the 2 rider memory buttons which I don't get why more cars don't do. It defaults to my wife who is half my size. But when I open the door, I just press the button and I can get in while it adjusts automatically. The only way I see that system being beat is if it can start adjusting to the person before you even open the door lol.
These are all good points. I will offer one counter point, be it small and nuanced, it is legitimate. And that is that accidents have happened by drivers trying to adjust a seat while driving. The leverage needed to move forward and back makes electronic seats inherently safer. Yes people shouldn't be dumb, but either way it does happen. Taking that manual option away completely eliminates that. Counter COUNTER point. Why can't cars offer both? Automatic for fine tuning, but leave a manual lever. All in favor say aye.
To be fair, on manual seats the base of the seat can't be moved up or down. Being able to adjust that is convenient for people who are significantly taller or shorter than average.
I have a 2020 Ridgeline. Same price as this and mine has all the little features (moon roof, heated seats, rear charge ports, power rear window, power seats) Only difference is the HPD package and the face lift. 18 city 24 Highway (easy) i regularly get 26 mpg Highway. It's perfect for the person who needs a pickup 20% of the time and a car the other 80%.
Given that I own a 2019 black edition that I purchased for just over 40k and has perforated leather, sunroof, lights on the visor mirrors (though even as a woman, I never use those….), the fancier infotainment system, etc, some of the review doesn’t seem realistic. The Ridgeline won over the Tacoma because I only have one vehicle. I wanted a daily driver that can haul loads when needed but also carry groceries and my kids (but avoiding becoming a people mover, like a van or 3 row suv). The Tacoma without the flip up seats and no trunk space and nearly identical towing capacity and payload just didn’t make sense. Outside of low clearance, there is absolutely no loss to the Tacoma. The only reason that the model youre reviewing costs 41k is the hpd package, so it’s not fair to constantly point out the cost. Given that 90% of my driving is on the road and this transverses off road well, as long as you aren’t trying to clear boulders, but you didn’t test it off road at all! I have had it in muddy fields and rocky areas repeatedly for hunting and it actually does extremely well off road.
Yeah Doug really missed the boat reviewing a sport trim. Should have done the white black edition or RTL-E. In bed audio is completely unique and quirky
Yeah I have the '23 Black Edition, it is great for softball practice, I just lift up the rear seat and toss all my daughters equipment in and it disappears. Also have the truck bed audio system which is really awesome for holidays, tailgating and parties all around.
They should make two versions the first a Type R with a twin turbo V6 and a manual transmission. And an SI version without the Turbo. Turn it into a performance UTE.
I think this is a truck that's more honest than other trucks. Tons of people buy the insane top trim off-road beasts and never use even a fraction of their potential. At least this one emphasizes the things people will ACTUALLY use their trucks for. Daily driver with a little bit of capability thrown in.
I will agree with you that too many people but off-road trims and never off-road it. But the other things I’m going to disagree, there is nothing on the Ridgeline that offers capability wise that other similarly priced trucks offer (besides the storage under the bed which is cool) the f150 can get all the features that this has for less money and you get a 2.3L which is more efficient than this v6 And this is coming from an Acura/honda fan
People need a lot of truck for the huge ego capacity. On a more serious note, I was explaining this to one of my old bosses, he looked at me with all seriousness and said "what are you trying to say?" For all of you guys like him, who drive dually pickups and own multiple trailers, you are clearly not who we're making fun of. Surly you can tell the difference as well as the rest of us. It's kind of like noticing a guy with edged up eyebrows, once you see it you can't not see it.
I don’t know, man. I drive the 2020 model, in a higher trim level. It is my primary work vehicle for my cabinetmaking business. It’s the best truck I’ve ever driven. I’ve seen all the others higher on your list, and even own a 2020 model of one of them, and this is MILES better than any of them. And I paid 35K for a pretty loaded model.
Unless you get a huge discount, the ridgeline is over priced. Paid $10k more than the base ridgeline sticker price for a 2021 F150 XLT with off road+ towing packages and the panoramic sunroof. I'd say the 3.5L ecoboost + 10 speed automatic has the same mpg as the ridgeline too. Honda needs to lower the price if they really want to sell their truck.
@@tomascleary917 I think you’ll love it. As much as I love Doug’s videos, I just think this one missed a little bit. Everyone wants to say “It needs to be more like every other truck.” Well, just go get one of those, if that’s the case. This is a unique product that isn’t really trying to be what any of those are. Honda made a mistake by trying to appease that crowd a little bit with the 2021 refresh. It just makes everyone compare it even more. So it won’t rock crawl like a Tacoma…so what? Let’s drive both down a freeway with bad pavement and then compare notes. Which scenario is going to happen more often, anyway? Let’s also see just how much fits inside/in the bed of each truck, which these reviews never mention. The Ridgeline is superior to the competition in almost every way except one, and it’s the one thing most of us are never going to do, anyway.
@@kerryhale8646 Amazing feedback! I picked it up yesterday and I think for what I need, lugging around a toddler, dog and wife and all the daily life materials groceries, trips to the cottage, etc I think this will be perfect for us. It's a really comfortable drive and the features are great. Thanks for the info.
Seriously tho, I don't see why they haven't brought them back yet. I had an '05 that I really liked. If it had lower mileage, I would've kept it longer. There's a company out west that adds pop-tops to Elements for $2-$3k. You can get a sweet little camping rig for under $10k. I think if Honda brought back the Element now, they'd sell like hotcakes. I see people buying those Jeep Renegades (aka re-badged Fiat) all the time, and they're junk. If Honda offered a better-designed and more reliable alternative (the Element), they could easily dominate that market. Same goes for Toyota. Why haven't they brought back the FJ Cruiser? Off-roading has never been hotter, yet they continue to ignore demand. I feel like if they ever do bring it back, it will be too late and they'll have missed the trend. How do they not offer a competitor to the new Bronco? I get they have the 4Runner, but it's not the same. Not everyone wants a large, luxurious, expensive off-roader. The FJ was a neat little basic Toyota Jeep, essentially. My dad has a 2014 FJ (last year of production), and he regularly gets offers from dealerships to buy it off him for $10k more than what he paid for it in 2018. It's crazy how quickly it's appreciating in value. Japanese automakers are so conservative with new models sometimes it's painful.
They could have added a truck bed to an Element body, or removable top similar to the old K5 Blazers, to convert it into more of a truck. Seems like it would have been a better idea than this.
@@rc_player i dont think they will bring back the FJ because they have the 4Runner. If they brought the FJ back, they probably think it would cut into the 4runners sales. As long as they have the 4Runner, we probably wont see an FJ.
@@antonym24 yeah, I think you're right. While there is huge demand for them, I think Toyota is too scared about hurting 4Runner sales to bring it back. It sucks because I'd love to see a direct FJ vs Bronco vs Wrangler competition, but I guess that'll never really happen.
I like this updated front end on the Gen 2 Ridgeline but I agree with Doug - the Gen 1 overall style was unique and very cool. I really miss that utilitarian simplicity, and I really miss my 2006 Ridgeline.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: this is exactly why Honda needs the reinvigorate the Element. Make it a bit more off road-y and it will explode. IT IS TIME.
As a 2019 Ridgeline sport owner, I will be first to say those fender flairs look absolutely terrible. The front end is a rather decent upgrade though. By the way- I've never liked a vehicle more than my ridgeline. All function and is a joy to drive.
In the construction field, I have seen older Ridgelines do some downright impressive shit that even Fords and Chevys couldn't. I don't know about this new one, but previous models are impressively capable!
I've got a ranger extended cab and am seriously considering a ridgeline as I have a baby on the way and need a truck where I can put car seats in the back seat. Either a ridgeline or a tacoma crew cab. The Ridgeline is so overpriced for what it is though compared to a tacoma. "ridgeline is the better car with a truck bed, tacoma is the better truck". A tacoma 4x4 crew cab is like 7-10 less than a ridgeline of the same mileage and year. Which one I choose will come down to price and availability. Ridgelines are just too expensive for what you get which isn't a lot. They are very nice though and I'm sure the ride is more comfortable than a "real truck".
@@rem45acp Hey, thanks for the comment. Completely valid points, I know a few people who have Tacomas which are super solid trucks. Question... have you test driven both a fair amount? For me, the extra room in the cabin, more comfortable ride, faster cornering ability, more in cabin storage, locking trunk and dual opening tail gate are worth that extra 7k any day of the week. Cheers
Doug, I absolutely agree with you in this video. The 1st gen has the same features but had it's own design. There is more room in the back and front seats and if you add a lift and off-road tires, you have an awesome truck.
I’ve never heard of anyone ever taking their cooler into a store to fill it with ice. In San Diego, don’t you just buy bags of ice like everyone else in the country?
Just passed 50,000mi on my 2018… best multi-purpose vehicle I’ve ever owned. Getting 26-27mpg and it does everything I could ask. Good winter handling, loads of cargo space, comfortable for long trips, tows my boat just fine. I’ve been consistently impressed.
@@michaelfoulkes9502 I just thought of that Albania episode of Top Gear, with the mental image of a brand new Rolls Royce with a bunch of cinderblocks stacked on the trunk, tearing up the paint.
I own a 2019 Black Edition Ridgeline. I bought it used three months ago for about $35k. Here’s some honest feedback: The tailgate is incredibly useful. I never open the tailgate the “correct” way. I always use it like a door. You don’t have to push heavy soil bags and equipment into the bed that way. The drain plug is great because I can wash out the “trunk.” You can fit an ungodly amount of things in this truck. None of the other trucks in this segment have the lane keep assist functions. The HPD package is stupid. Get the black edition. Don’t pretend to be an off-roader. It’s a ridgeline lol I bought mine used. I have full power memory seats, leather seats, heated seats, a sunroof, rear charge ports, power in the bed, rear power window, bed lights, etc. This is a great truck to buy used. I have Apple CarPlay in my 2019 model. I have no idea what Doug is talking about there. That’s not a new feature. The volume touch buttons are stupid as hell on the older models. The volume knob is a welcome upgrade. The in bed sound system is my favorite feature. It’s fun blasting music in the field out of my truck bed lol The 2021 fixed the rear door issue. On the older models, the rear doors don’t open far enough. It’s really annoying. The eco button absolutely kills your acceleration. It adds about 1.5 to 2.5 MPG when I use it. It easily tows 5,000 lbs. I have had zero issues with my small trailer lol Truck people will make fun of you. It happens a lot. Embrace it.
I have a 2013 G1 Ridgeline and I love hearing the sentiment for the G2’s as well. They are just seriously great utility trucks. I swear I’ve packed and loaded so much camping gear, and then unloaded it and filled the truck bed trunk with ice and enjoyed long hours of solidly insulated beverages.
@@Josh-179 Yes but the Taco and Colorado also get a 6, even though they have the same bed size, but don't have the trunk or the trick 2 way tailgate. The Ridgeline should at least get a 7.