Honda Ridgeline SUT

rsholland

http://www.theautochannel.com/F/news/2005/02/07/024623.html

vertrkr

SnugTop told me, after repeated email queries, they might be offering a camper shell for the Ridgeline a few months after it's release. Should look something like what they have for the Avalanche:

 

http://www.snugtop.com/p_xuv.htm

 

I encourage anyone considering a shell to email them <rflores@snugtop.com> saying you're interested too so as they know there is a demand and continue with their plan to make one as they will only do so if they think there is sufficient interest.

varmint

There's supposed to be an accessory grill option available, but I haven't seen any pics. I suppose that could improve the front end. Personally, I don't have a problem with the grill, but I know others have rejected it. My complaints involve the odd proportions of the profile and the slab-sided appearance of the flanks.

 

I've gotten to be pretty good at reading pics, so I doubt seeing it in person will make a big difference for me.

xwesx

I think the practicality or 'cleverness' of a feature is limited only by the owner's (or critic's) imagination. The in-bed trunk is, indeed, an excellent feature. Sure, you won't be able to easily access it when hauling material in the bed, but the point is that the target customer will likely not be using the bed for large cargo more than, perhaps 50% of the time (at most). For these customers, the 'trunk' is truly a wonderful feature.

 

For those who need a job box to provide a secure storage area, ATVs can still be hauled without problem. My dad does this with his 2001 Nissan CC. He has one set of ramps to drive the ATV into the bed, and another set to continue driving it on top of his job box. The gate even closes! Problem solved, but darn it.... he still can't access the job box easily.

 

Eh, six of one, half-dozen of the other. Which is the better deal for you? ;-D

varmint

Thanks for the link.

 

Borg Warner has been involved with VTM-4 since the beginning. BW also developed the system used by Isuzu, named Torque On Demand (ToD). ToD is different, but, if you compare the way the two systems behave, there are quite a few similarities.

varmint

"He has one set of ramps to drive the ATV into the bed, and another set to continue driving it on top of his job box."

 

LOL. Very creative. How does he prevent his gun rack from getting scratched up? :-P

ecotrklvr

You're right about the comparo of lift-to-bed being against other 4WD's. I guess we'll have to see the tale of the tape next month. I'll be at the Honda dealer that day...

ecotrklvr

Thanks, grayghost - 3 feet lift-up height. Pretty high, but not for a 4WD. You must be the one who remembered to take the tape measure to the LA Auto show. I was one of the ones who didn't.

rsholland

BW also developed the system used by Isuzu, named Torque On Demand (ToD).

 

Ford's Control Trac too. It too is an on-demand 4WD made by BW.

 

Bob

xwesx

How does he prevent his gun rack from getting scratched up?

 

Haha... well, is it important for it to not be scratched? Sometimes the trade-off between utility and beauty is not so much a matter of possibility as it is practicality. ;-D

fitguy

Great point- even the folks who bought a Pontiac Aztek had some reason that they liked it.......:)

robertsmx

Ridgeline will be transferring more torque more often to the rears than the other VTM comparisons we have.

 

While not dubbed VTM-4, Acura RL&#146;s SH-AWD is designed to deliver torque to the rear wheels, 100% of the time (it is a permanent AWD system). In case of SH-AWD, rear wheels get 40%-70% of the maximum torque at any given instance.

 

Use of electro-mechanical clutch is, in fact, a clever idea. That&#146;s how VTM-4 started.

derodeo

Style is always a matter of individual taste but I think I could grow to appreciate almost every vehicle sold today. Well, probably not the [non-permissible content removed].. err Aztech but most everything else.

 

I don't mind the Ridgeline styling at all. The front end is not as attractive as most other trucks but that can be easily dressed up.

 

After reading most everything I can find about it, I am really excited about this vehicle. Sight unseen, I'm almost convinced right now it will be my next truck.

explorerx4

looks like someone around here can think 'outside the box'! most people would leave the tailgate down and strap in their atv, or whatever.

gearhead1

Thought some here might find this interesting.

 

three choices, priced at $27,700 for the RT up to $31,490 for the top line RTL. The base RT version offers standard equipment such as anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags, driver's and front passenger's side airbags, two-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor and a tire pressure monitoring system. Additional standard features include the 255-horsepower Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC, 3.5-liter V6 engine; five speed automatic transmission; Variable Torque Management four-wheel drive system; air conditioning; tilt steering wheel; power side windows, power sliding rear window and door locks; cruise control; keyless entry; automatic heated wiper zone; six speaker 100-watt audio system with CD player; 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with underseat storage and all-weather floor mats. All models come equipped ready to tow with standard transmission and oil coolers, heavy duty brakes, dual radiator fans, and pre-wiring for four and seven pin trailer hook up.

 

The 2006 Honda Ridgeline RTS, at $30,075 adds alloy wheels, a seven speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer and six-disc CD changer with steering wheel controls, dual zone automatic climate control and an eight-way power driver's seat. The Ridgeline RTL adds leather seating surfaces, HomeLink remote system, an interior compass in the rearview mirror and heated front seats and an available power moonroof. Models with the power moonroof are equipped with standard satellite radio and are available with the Honda satellite-linked navigation system.

 

It looks like I'm going from 26,500 on my tacoma sport I was thinking about, to paying over 32,000 on the Ridgeline with Sat nav I want. The base line Ridgeline comes in at about the same price as the Taco sport, and has more features that the Taco doesn't have at that price ie Side curtain air bags, VSC, and auto transmission.

ecotrklvr

Gearhead - you're making a good point. It's amplified by the difficulty to find a single Tacoma with Side Airbags, VSC, Traction Control, etc.. I've been looking for one for months now. By comparison, ALL of the Honda Ridgeline vehicles that you'll ever see on any lot will have all of this stuff, and more.

 

Honda's pursuit of "Safety for All" is a worthwhile goal, and deserves support. If I wasn't 6'4" tall, and could fit into a 2005 CR-V, I'd own one right now. If it fits me, the Ridgeline will be my next ride.

moparbad

What I would like to buy...

No leather, no automatic climate control, no satellite radio, no power seat, no navigation (Should be a requirement to be able to self navigate in order to obtain a drivers license IMHO), sunroof is a must. An RT with a sunroof would work for me. Too bad it is not an option.

Ridgeline is a cool truck.

derodeo

Even after reading through Honda's detailed press releases, I don't recall any mention of what grade of fuel this thing requires. I know it has a 10.0:1 compression ratio though. Does that usually mean premium fuel?

robertsmx

No.

jgriff

Does anyone know how the back seats function ie. will they fold up out of the way, to provide some inside flat loading space?? Do they recline in any fashion?? Do move forward or backwards??

 

THX.

varmint

The seat cushion for the back seat will fold up against the back of the cab. It's a 60/40 split. During the press intro, a guy pulled a mountain bike out of the back, if that helps you picture it.

 

The backrest for the rear seat is angled the same as an Accord (you don't have to sit bolt-upright). However, there is no sliding or additional reclining feature.

varmint

I think Honda should have offered something like a DX version of the Ridgeline. The prices for the well-equipped models are fair when compared with the competition, but everybody else offers stripped versions for the low-budget shopper.

 

I know it's not Honda's style to offer such a thing. But I think this market might be one where that strategy is effective. I mean, I'd rather not see Honda make the same mistake Chrysler did with launching the Pacifica (offering too many loaded models).

rsholland

Good point, and I agree.

 

Bob

ecotrklvr

There are a lot of great pictures on Honda's website.

robertsmx

But, it has worked for Honda. I&#146;m surprised to see more EX-L and Touring versions of the new Odyssey than the LX model. It might be a regional thing though. Here in Dallas area, people seem to choose upper trims anyway.

 

With 50K units targeted, Honda couldn't care less about stripped models. And I doubt that is going to be true in most Hondas anyway. Features like VSA, ABS, Side Airbags, Side Curtain Airbags etc., and given the platform, AWD, are going to be standard anyway.

xwesx

Although I find 'bundled' options quite annoying, I like to see the "base model" have a hefty list of standard features when they involve functionality and safety. That was one of the major factors in my last vehicle purchase (I was looking at used). I decided on a Subaru Outback over other possibilities because I knew that with the "base model", the only significant feature differences from any other OB model were moonroof, leather, and CD. With the year I selected, there were two engines (2.2 or 2.5) available, and that was really the only (functional) option. So, considering that both the Subaru and the other vehicles for which I was shopping were very scarce, it was nice to know that when I did find an OB to consider, it had the features I wanted - standard.

 

I would slap down extra $ for a "base" Honda than any Tacoma just on the sanity I would save from not having to pick one bundle or another that only had 50% of the options I want, with the other 50% of the features on the bundle those I consider to have $0 value, yet I have to pay extra to get. Oy.

 

Keep it simple, functional, comfortable, and safe. Oh, and reasonably priced! ;-D

chuck999

"What I would like to buy...

No leather, no automatic climate control, no satellite radio, no power seat, no navigation (Should be a requirement to be able to self navigate in order to obtain a drivers license IMHO), sunroof is a must. An RT with a sunroof would work for me. Too bad it is not an option.

Ridgeline is a cool truck. "

 

Me Too! ...

 

Personally, I love having a sunroof - really opens up the vehicle, great on a nice day - even OK on cloudy days too ...

 

Sunroof should be an option on RT also - in SOME (but not all) Honda's you can get sunroof without having to go for leather. The Honda leather is not the greatest anyhow - look at the Pilot forum for some horror stories on cracking, wrinkling ..

 

Should have been:

DX - Base

EX - Add alloys, power seats, stereo, sunroof

EXL - Add leather

EXL Navi - Add Navigation ...

 

But that would have been simple ...

bamacar

On the other side of the fence, I am so happy you can get a top model without the sunroof. I hated being forced to only get an Accord LX just to avoid the sunroof of the EX. I always want leather, power options, but prefer no sunroof. It takes away headroom, adds noise, decreases structural integrity. I would much prefer to save my 700-1000 dollars and spend it on something I actually want, and not have a sunroof forced on me.

 

I have also considered the new Accord Hybrid not because I especially want the hybrid, but to get a loaded model without the sunroof penalty.

xwesx

I totally agree. Options like alloys, power seats, upgraded stereos, sunroof, leather, and navigation should be entirely independent of one another. Well, maybe have alloys, seats, and stereo standard on "loaded" model, but keep the sunroof, leather, and nav optional because those tend to be fairly big ticket items and vary much by preference.

varmint

Keep in mind, there's nothing stopping you from going aftermarket if you want a base model with a moonroof. Of course, the reverse of that isn't true. You can't get a loaded model without a moonroof.

 

For the most part, I'm on board with Honda's use of trim levels. There are numerous advantages to keeping things well-equipped with only a few options. I won't list them all, but I am aware of them.

 

This works well with vehicles like the Ody, CR-V, Accord, and Pilot, which are all more or less family style vehicles. And to a large extent, I am expecting that the Ridgeline will be a "family truck". But the traditional truck market extends well beyond the family market into the single guy market, the working guy market, and even the fleet market.

 

I have no problem with Honda focusing on the family niche. It is where they are most likely to succeed. It's a good start upon which they can build. But it would appear they are not making any concessions to those other markets. I think a DX trim would have been an easy one to do. And it would have given them at least token appeal for those other markets.

chuck999

"On the other side of the fence, I am so happy you can get a top model without the sunroof. "

 

Point very well taken. Some people just don't want the sunroof (esp. tall people!) ...

 

I wonder if you'll actually be able to get a RT-L with navi WITHOUT sunroof though ....

 

I think previous poster had great idea:

Let:

Leather

Sunroof

Navi

 

Be SEPARATE options - and let buyers pick which (if any) they want ..... They did this with DVD.

auto9999

I felt uncomfortable to see how the numbers are printed on the speedometer and odometer: I had to lean my neck up to 90 degrees to read the low-end numbers on the left, which are the most frequently used speed and revolution. Honda designers appear to have sought uniqueness and forgot to be ergonomically friendly.

bawlmerc

Hey, that's my truck...you can't have it.

merrob

I'm considering the ridgeline and can't wait to see one in person. Never owned a pickup before but was initially considering a pilot till the ridgeline news came out. Isn't there a defogger in the rear windshield? Is it common for pickups not to have one and if so what deals with the condensation(inside) or frost(outside).

xwesx

It is quite common for pickups to not have a rear defrogger. In my experience, the small size of the cab and the lack of mass air flow over the rear window tends to limit the amount of fogging on the window, but I've never driven a CC in weather that would test that theory.

explorerx4

honda missed a big chance to trump the competition even more with a defrosting rear window.

naylor99

I am looking forward to seeing the Ridgeline. I think Honda missed a good opportunity by leaving out two key features;

 

1 - Hard cover on the bed w/lockable tailgate (ala Avalanche), and

 

2 - A pass-through (midgate) feature to make it much more versatile (again, like the Avalanche)

 

I guess what I am looking for is a higher quality, slightly smaller Avalanche!

rsholland

A lockable hard cover will be a Honda option. It's listed on the below link.

 

http://hondanews.com/CatID2135?mid=2005020136323&mime=asc

 

I agree with you about the midgate.

 

Bob

rsholland

The only midsize pickup with a V8 is the Dakota. Honda will do just fine with a V6.

 

Bob

once_for_all

read the reviews, Honda set up road tests for the press vs an F-150 with the 5.4 liter Triton pulling the same loaded 5,000 lb trailer. Little slower off the line with the 3.5 liter V-6, but no noticeably performance difference after that.

 

Darned impressive for the Honda, embarrassing for the Ford.

 

John

rsholland

Darned impressive for the Honda, embarrassing for the Ford.

 

The F-150 (and all other supersize pickups) are all hampered by their enormous curb weight.

 

Bob

jay_24

Hammpered or need it to tow the 8000lbs they are rated for? Would you like towing 5000lbs with the honda (and honda tranny) or a F150?

 

Personally I hate all the ads about ours accelrates faster than yours....It doesn't prove much in the real world on how it can or can't tow a load.

 

If the engine and drive train is geared to tow it probably won't accelerate to the higher speeds well because its just geared too low. It may get to 30 mph faster however.

 

Better question is how well can it stop a load or control a tall box trailer in a big cross or head wind.

 

The Ridgeline looks to be a nice in-between truck. Its not a 1/2ton work truck, but its a better commuter truck. It probably doesn't have the gas milage of the little trucks, but it can possibly out work them.

 

--jay

jay_24

I doubt a logger or construction worker would ever go to work in a Ridgeline, but many of us desk-job guys would. I could see myself in one. Just enough grunt to pull my camper. Can take the family of 5 and slightly better gas milage. Something for those of use that need a truck 5% of the time.

 

(trying to catch up on the 500 previous posts)

 

--jay

varmint

Welcome to the forum, Jay_24.

 

I don't think Honda was trying to prove that the Ridgeline makes a good drag racer. They knew that the press would be skeptical about its towing capabilities, so they matched it up with a vehicle that should have left it in the dust. The V8-powered F150 failed to do that. Given that the Ridgeline was towing its max rating and the F-150 was hauling only about 60% of its max, it was a good showing for the Ridgeline.

 

The course Honda used also included S curves and braking sections to see how the Ridgeline did with cornering - while towing. It wasn't just a straight line drag race. Reports indicate the Ridgeline was superior on the track, though no actual numbers were provided.

 

Honda also allowed journalists to drive several pick-ups on an autocross-style course while carrying a load in the bed. The Ridgeline proved more stable than any of the others.

 

So, while there are still a number of unknowns out there, the Ridgeline seems to be holding up.

naylor99

Thanks! How did you find this? Very useful.

 

--BN

jay_24

I'm not up to speed on Honda's AWD system. Somebody in the Pilot thread just asked too and there wasn't definitive answer.

 

Does Honda's AWD shift power to the rear upon acceleration even if there isn't slipage? If the front has to slip, how fast does the rear engage?

 

--jay

rsholland

It's from the Honda web site.

 

Bob

rsholland

http://automobiles.honda.com/new_models/

robertsmx

Yes, VTM-4 engages even without slippage and whenever you accelerate. Reaction time for an electromechanical system is usually better than purely mechanical/hydraulic system, and in case of VTM-4, expect it to be as quick as any stability system around (since its driving principle is similar).

once_for_all

Bob, when did Edmunds allow us to redirect to competitor web sites? I guess I haven't seen reprimands for some time from the hosts.

 

John