Monthly Update for February 2017 - 2017 Honda Ridgeline Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

Monthly Update for February 2017 - 2017 Honda Ridgeline Long-Term Road Test

Our 2017 Honda Ridgeline is settling into a mix of urban commuting and occasional weekend trips that put its versatility to the text.

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cjasis

How are you guys finding the VCM? As someone who will rarely offroad or tow big items, but regularly surfs, etc. this type of pickup truck (which is far better in town and not a rock crawler) is very appealing to me. We absolutely LOVE our 2012 Odyssey Touring Elite except for two items: I HATE the VCM system (I find the engagement to be rough and create vibrations) and I really think paddle shifters would be a very good idea. I know it's not a sports car but having just put 1,100 miles driving four of us to AZ for spring training and back, the ability to select and hold the proper gear (esp. up and down mountains) is key and Honda only gives me Drive, L or 4th (by virtue of the overdrive button). Silly. I'd like to know if the VCM in the Ridgeline has improved as many folks on the forums also don't find VCM in the Ody to be very good.

SadButTrue

@cjasis -- In my limited seat time I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary, but I asked Travis (the guy who immediately took the thing mudding when it showed up) for a second opinion. He hasn't noticed anything either. I'm gonna tentatively conclude that Honda has resolved the VCM engagement issues you describe, but we'll keep it in mind as the test goes on.

-Josh

g35buf

I have had a RTL-E for 5,400 miles and I think the VCM is pretty much seamless. I had a RAM 1500 with the 5.7 HEMI and their MDS cylinder deactivation and that is very unobtrusive as well. I assume it is easier to pull off in a V8 than a V6. Still, to me it is a non factor and if it increases fuel economy meaningfully, I'm all good. I'm getting just under 20 mpg so far in 70% city/suburban driving.

longtimelurker

There is no way I would use my ratchet straps on plexi without some kind of sacrificial layer of cardboard or a rag or something between the strap and the edge of the glass - come on...how hard would that be?

And if the touchscreen were covered with fingerprints but otherwise clean, that would be one thing, but...7,079 miles on the vehicle - ? Looks like it's been at least that long since anyone did any cleaning of the interior. It looks like someone threw about a half-cup of flour onto the dash.

Use a reasonable cleaning interval, given that you live in the dusty desert, and I bet the fingerprint would not be an issue, plus you would not be grinding that grit into the surface of the screen - pretty soon, no amount of cleaning is going to make it clear again.

rmhpmi

So, has Edmunds pretty much abandoned their long-term testing updates? Sure seems that way and it is a shame