I've owned several pickup trucks over the past 30 years. The most recent truck I sold was a Ford F350 diesel 4x4 that I used to tow a heavy fifth wheel camper. Each vehicle I've owned was a tool to do a job. I only bought that diesel, for example, because it was big, heavy, and had massive torque. Those are things you want when towing a big trailer and it performed that specific job flawlessly. Because that's what it was designed for. When I wasn't towing the fifth wheel the truck wasn't doing what it was really designed for and it was terrible at everything else. Terrible at driving without a full load due to the stiff suspension, terrible at parking, terrible on forest roads, terrible in the snow, terrible ride quality on bumpy dirt roads, and very expensive to work on when things broke. My Tacoma was far more reliable and easier to park in the city but it rode like a brick too. But hey, it was also a tool that I needed because I wanted to do some hard-core wheeling on the weekends. This truck is regarded by most people as the best off-road pickup there is and with good reason. IF you want to do serious off-roading. I didn't mind the fact that it had a terrible factory stereo, didn't ride very well, had a cramped interior, no storage, somewhat dated looks, (though not as bad as the Frontier), and had a lot of road noise. These days I have ATV's and dirt bikes to go off-road with and the Ridgeline tows my 4,000-pound trailer full of toys like butter thanks to the nearly 300 HP and 9-speed transmission. So now all I care about is having a truck bed to get stuff at the local hardware store once a month (like most people) and one with a quiet interior, a really nice stereo, a plush ride like a Cadillac, great passing power, reliability, and really good gas mileage. All of those boxes were ticked when I test drove the 2020 Ridgeline. I bought this truck after test driving the 2020 Ranger, Colorado, and Tacoma. I felt the Ridgeline interior was substantially wider (it is, by 4") and the overall ride quality and road noise were FAR better than the competition. (no contest) But the truck "trunk" was the number one selling point for me though because I like to carry a lot of gear in the truck and don't want to worry about it getting stolen. We all know thieves will break in if they see any gear in the backseat. They'll also break into truck toolboxes really easily. But most people don't even know the Ridgeline truck trunk exists. It's under the bed by the tailgate, and it's massive. I keep 2 motorcycle helmets, a pair of jackets, 2 pairs of gloves, riding boots, tie-down straps, a hiking backpack full of gear, 4 hiking poles, a tackle box, and 2 fishing rods in that trunk and lock it then close the tailgate. People walk by the truck, see nothing in the bed, nothing in the seats, and move on. Call it a truck, call it a car with a bed, I don't care. I wouldn't attempt to do any serious off-roading in this vehicle but I can say it handles snow and mud on forest roads and mountain trails really well and I've never gotten stuck. As far as what I want from a truck nowadays, there's just nothing else on the road that comes close to this Ridgeline. It does everything it was designed to do VERY well. Do like I did, right before you buy the truck you think you want, test drive the Ridgeline. It will change your mind. That's what happened to me. LOL
This vehicle is ugly, so 95% will not buy it. This is what you buy when you want to be different, then you come back to reality and get a real truck that you should've bought in the first damn place.
@@toyotadude6771 The majority of Americans who buy trucks never tow or carry heavy loads, they do grocery shopping and commute to work. The whole point of a truck like this is if you tow occasionally or need to pickup light loads while having the driving characteristics and fuel economy of a car or SUV. Insofar as there are buyers, they'll keep making ridgelines, tacomas, and santacruzs. People aren't gonna buy a compact small low displacement pickup just to be "different", they buy it if it fitsn their needs and lifestyle. Just look at Japan, they have kei trucks, for the most part, thats all most people need.
I thought I wanted the F-150 or the Ram 1500, but realized that it is all about image and perception of toughness!. I am a regular person that enjoys the smooth driving comfort as offered in the 2022 Ridgeline, and the utility of a cargo bed for picking up supplies at Home Depot!
You guys do the best honest review/test on all trucks. Love that you give your true likes and dislikes on all trucks and not just say what the viewers want to hear.
I've owned my '20 RTL-E for 13 months now and your review is spot on. I do occasional truck things with it, but mostly just making the daily driver trips around town. That trunk, though--WOW! I've hidden so many valuable things in there, stuff I don't want stolen while I'm making long trips and feel completely confident that all of it is out of sight. Speaking of trips, I seldom use the bed for those trips, mostly just lift the rear seats and load up the back of the cabin with little goodies I will need. The truck auto-locks when I walk away and I hear its reassuring beep that this happened. Your comments on the fact that it's really a truck for the everyday person, but not for a REAL off-roader is true. Minor off-roading is what 90+% of the drivers really do and this will do that in spades. The Ridgeline is an awesome vehicle that works like a truck and drives like a car. The everyday driver needs this vehicle.
I have a 2018. I was cross shopping with F150s and the Jeep Gladiator before i bought the ridgeline. It has been one of the best vehicles i have ever owned. Very useful, not an oversized heavy weight like all full-sizes have become, great on fuel, great for the family with lots of room in the back, comfy...no shortcomings found yet.
My wife and I spoke with a gentleman from British Columbia a few months ago. He’s had pretty well every type of Pickups in his life. He rates his current Ridgeline as the best he’s ever had!
I live by the beach. The AWD gets me where I want to set up. I hang out, drink and fish. My black edition is perfect. The trunk keeps my gear locked up when I’m not using it. The trunk also has a drain plug so you can fill it with ice and drinks. The bed speakers provide the music and the battery has a smart sensor so it won’t run out of juice and leave you stranded. Something else they didn’t note in the video is that there’s a 150- to 400-watt power outlet in the bed for tools or anything else you might need to plug in (ahem...blender).
By far the best and most comprehensive Ridgeline review I have seen! I have been in the auto industry for 16 years, and I am currently the service manager at a Honda dealership. I used to make fun of these trucks with my General Motors background, and they have intrigued me. To see you load them and tow with them helped me answer any doubts! Thank you for doing such a great job. This might very well be my next vehicle! I was going to do a leveling kit but now seeing the 2" squat I might just go 2" all the way around. Thanks again for such great content!
The older I get the more I think long and hard about what my real needs are for the way I live my life and not how I think I might live it. I have a 2018 4x4 Ram quad cab with the Hemi and I love it, but this would be a better fit for me. I don’t really get why folks get bogged down about what it is or isn’t. Just be realistic about what your needs are and buy the truck/ vehicle to fit. A Ridgeline RTL-E is next in line for me.
Cody, I wholeheartedly agree with you! With time, you pinpoint your actual needs, and suddenly you find out that everyday driving pleasure and occasional trip to the lumberyard is all what you need. RTL-E is perfect for this!
It's a tool. When I need a vehicle I question whether it will do what I want. The ridgeline checks all the boxes. Comfort, reliability, storage, fuel mileage, pull my 3000 lb utility trailer, maneuver well in parking lots, high safety rating, peppiness, excellent traction, handling etc. I don't need a tool that will pull heavy peanut wagons out of muddy fields or climb rocks.
When gas was $4.95 per gallon in CA in 2009 or so, an electrician I knew bought a Scion wagon and parked the company's F250 diesel. He removed the rear seats, installed some racks, managed to fit all his regular tools. Almost got 30 mpg around town in SoCal.
I just bought it, I love it, it's exactly as you described it. I'll do truck stuff on the weekend :D Thanks for the video it helped me deciding yesterday.
I have a 2019. The ride is great. the interior is great. It is very quiet. Nice upright sitting position(much better than a Tacoma). It is great for runs to Home-Depot, comp-post, furniture transport..... The tech is good, could be better. Wish it had a front-camera. The sliding back window lets air out so no buffeting. Just my opinion.
A lot of great points here. Daily driver being one of them. I drive UPS truck all day. I don't want a half ton for a daily driver. We're a family of 3 plus dog. We have a 16' hunting/fishing boat and plan on buying small camper trailer this spring. The Ridgeline is on the top of our list while we're shopping for a truck. Only problem.. finding one. I don't like buying new so finding a 2 year old one with decent kms has been tough.
If the trend keeps on we will be driving a Ridgeline that looks like a semi. I prefer aerodynamically efficient. Toyota ruined the Pre-Runner (I've owned two) when they tried to emulate big trucks. That was a factor for me in chosing the Ridgeline G2.
@@kongxiong6005 how? By giving us AWD (not 4wd) and 5k lb towing in a truck? Give us 7k, 4wd and maybe another inch or two of clearance and you’ve got a vehicle that competes with a tacoma and ranger. This is not that.
@@vitaly6312 because they listen to feedbacks and make changes. their not trying to win towing contest..and i can tell you 70% people who buy trucks just drive it daily. they dont off road everyday and this truck was designed to be jack of all trades. not pinnacle of towing.
Over here in Australia we'd call the Ridgeline a Dual Cab Ute (short for utility pick-up). Back when you guys had the El Camino for all those years we had the Holden (General Motors) Standard then Kingswood then Commodore Ute, Ford Falcon Ute, Chrysler Valiant Ute. The king and last of them all was the 2017 Holden Maloo GTSR with a 580hp supercharged 6.2 liter LSA V8. A shit crazy beast.
Personally, IF I never off road, I wouldn't mind having that truck. Has everything you need, hell even better if your tailgating often. Nice video by the way!
Honda Ridgeline has a higher bed pay load than my Toyota Crewmax SR5. Your review of the Tundra actually shocked me as I never looked at load capacity only tow capacity.
Ridgeline owner here: Truck or not is semantics. Frankly, I call it a city truck all the time. Most of the time, I drive it back and forth to work with an empty bed, in quiet comfort getting 24-36 mpg in the city, 27-30 mpg on the highway. I especially enjoy the lockable trunk which I use everyday and if I get a flat tire, I like that I don’t have to lay in the dirt on the side of the road to get the dust covered spare tire out. The bottom line, for 95 percent of my use, it’s perfect and for those times when towing a boat or heavy(ish) trailer, I have to stretch it a bit but it does do the job. And during those times when I need more, I use a diesel 3/4 ton. All vehicles are a compromise to some degree, but for what it is, I couldn’t be happier with it. For most typical DIY homeowner’s, I sincerely doubt they need more.
The ironic thing is that 80 percent of full sized truck owners use their trucks in the same exact manner that you use your Ridgeline for, but yet they will complain that the Ridgeline is not "truck enough" for their needs lmao.
The facelifted 2021s that look so good just came out so I've been researching Ridgelines, and my attitude towards them has changed quite a bit. When Truck Dad started talking about hammers I knew some dope wisdom was going to come out. The man knows his stuff.
And that's what it's meant to be: a "Swiss Army knife" vehicle for city and suburban drivers who need the occasional utility use, but want something as comfortable as a sedan or SUV/crossover for their daily commute and long trips.
This channel is so much better than "The Fast Lane." These guys actually know what they're talking about, and keep their tests the same. TFL doesn't seem to care if they mess up, or don't track something, and there are only one or two guys on there that seem to know what to talk about when it comes to trucks.
It is a great truck. You can take stuff to dumpster or go to Home Depot and get stuff. Great four wheel drive and best engine in class. Not really meant for outdoorsy four wheeling but otherwise fits the bill for 90% of what you need to do.
It actually did surprisingly well in The Fast Lane Truck's offroad obstacle course. It didn't do as well as most 4WD pickups, but it completed the course, whereas some SUVs they took on that course didn't.
I bought a Ridgeline RTL-E 2019 new, it is the truck I wanted and use. I’ve driven for 625 miles in one day, and was able to enjoy walking around at trails end. I live on the shoreline in CT. With the Pandemic and telework, my mileage of 250 /week is down to maybe 25/week. I’ll have this rig for a long time, and I’ll be luv’n what I got. BTW, prior Army 32+ years, have Driver Badge w/Wheels. I knew what I wanted, comfort during week and recreation capability on weekends. I liked your dad’s hammer comments, “center of mass.” I’m a subscriber now!
First time I’ve seen one of your reviews. Enjoyed being able to see you actually test some of the vehicles capabilities. Enjoyed the honest review. Thanks
I currently have a 2010 Ridgeline, it's been 100% reliable, and it is amazingly stable at the tow limit of 5,000 lbs. I've been completely satisfied with it, but I do now need a truck with higher payload and more towing capability, so my next truck will be the mid-range AWD Cybertruck for $50k.
Have a 2019 RTL-E that I regularly use to tow tow a 2450 lb. Casita travel trailer plus gear. I have gone all over Canada and the U.S. with no problems. Love my Ridgeline!!! Also have hauled full loads of topsoil and mulch with no issues.
My buddy summed the Ridgeline up in one quote when he got his first one in 2006: "It's the perfect truck for people who don't like trucks." He's on his second one, a 2020, and I have a 2019 identical to his. We definitely are a rabid bunch of Ridgeline fans!
Most truck purchases are about image. Which admittedly, sadly, is actually important in a society as superficial as ours. I will be the first to admit I'd rather have a girl see me driving a Taco than a Ridgeline. That said, I could tell from test driving the Taco that the vehicle sucks for what I will actually use it for, and I will probably hate driving one. Yet... that's probably what I'll buy, because man.... I don't know if I can be seen driving this thing. Just the way it is.
@@FixedWing82 - When you get older and more mature, you won't give a shit what other people think of your rational decisions. Buy a Porsche if you want girls to look at you. I don't know a single female who would turn their head for a truck. lol
@@Resistculturaldecline ride and drive: very quiet interior, very comfortable seats, compared to no cushion in the Tacoma. Ride quality, no comparison, rides like a car! Towing capability 5,000 lbs. Bed payload 1,500 lbs. Fuel economy very close, right around 19 miles per gallon overall.
On point, no nonsense review.... bought the 2021 Ridgeline based on this assessment, and it's an awesome Truck, yes I said Truck...for the vast majority of what one would need or want to do with a Truck. Was between a Tacoma and the Ridgeline, and made the right choice. Thanks much, Team Canada.
You guys just popped up randomly on my feed. Like both your styles. The Texas / Arizona comment was gold. So was Dad's hammer comparison. Subscribed from Australia. It would be a hoot to see you review our 2017 Holden Maloo R8 / GTSR Ute (550 / 580 hp supercharged 6.2 litre GM LSA V8).
I tow my Parker 2120 pilot house boat with a 2018 ridgeline awd. Im pushing around the 5k limit and it handles it well towing 20 mins to the boat ramp on flat roads.
If we lived in Australia they would call it a Ute. I can agree with that handle for it, a good little work unit for moderate tasks and a solid daily driver with the ability to do some mild offroading. Good vidjéo guys!
I am really enjoying your channel. I like to keep informed on what is available in the truck market and you guys test them really well. I also really like the fact you guys are from Canada and give a Canadian perspective on things. I have a 2013 Ram 1500 being underutilized due to lifestyle changes....and was thinking of downsizing to a Ridgeline for my next truck.
I have a 2019 Ridgeline. I bought this truck for long trips with my motorcycles and DIY home projects. Living in an apartment it has come in handy for hauling trash, furniture, laundry, and my motorcycles. They say it doesn't look like a truck, especially from the front. However I find a lot of truck owners either impressed with its look or jealous of it.
Beautiful job, guys.... very much appreciate the common-sense, unbiased approach. Exactly what I needed to know, as I'm considering buying one of these in the near future. Thanks, fellas.
Not gonna lie, that truck bed music setting is pretty slick! I could really see using that during camping or tailgating. And the trunk has a drain plug, so it can double as a cooler. Pretty thoughtful stuff. I like the 2021 redesign over this one.
probably all most guys need. They don't tow or haul anything heavy, just go to home depot and pick up some flowers and fertilizer for landscaping and lawn. No off roading etc... Some guys driving a Raptor and they never take it offroad or tow anything. They drive on a few gravel roads and call that off-road. It's just bragging rights...
Honda Ridgeline is a great all purpose everyday driver truck. Loved the in-bed trunk and two way tailgate. Owned a 2009 model year and after 272,000 "trouble free" km I retired it to my daughter who is still driving it. She has 325,000 km on it now. It handled all I asked it to pull, carry and off road in the bush. I now drive a 2018 Toyota Tundra because I needed to tow heavier stuff and I am off-road 4X4 weekly. The Tundra has been reliable and has 92,000 km of reliable service to its credit. The Tundra is a bit of an "Elephant" on the off road single lane roads or underground parking lots. Old school reliable gets my money every time.
Buddy, best review I've seen so far of the Ridgeline. I didn't realize that was your dad!? Lol. You guys are great testers for the people, now put 5k in that Honda so it can show the world it's chops. I love my Japanese El Camino, best practical vehicle I've ever owned and iVTEC is peppy as hell.
I find it funny that folks need to defend their decision to buy what ever truck they want. Most of the big three truck owners will never take their truck off road or tow anything. Now let's talk about how many actually use their 4 wheel drive.
I lease mine so off roading hell yeah. But yeah, you are absolutely right. These guys buy these expensive trucks that comes with two glove departments. Ones for their gloves and the other for their scarfs.
Someone called the Ridgeline a "Swiss Army knife" vehicle, in that it does a lot of things well. It's not meant to be the equal of serious offroading trucks or tow 7,000 pounds, but it will handle most utility chores like fetching supplies from the lumber yard or home store (the bed is designed to lay flat 4 x 8 sheets of plywood or drywall, which not all midsize trucks can do) or haul a small camper to a campground, but as you say it's also a great daily commuter. Not everyone can afford to buy both a pickup and a sedan/SUV, but the Ridgeline manages to handle most if not all of the tasks that an urban driver will need.
Great review thanks. Yes it can't go over gigantic rocks but I can drive 90mph in 8 inches of snow and comfortably drive 60mph on crappy bumpy dirt and rock mountain roads because the tail end isn't bouncing all over the place. Also the traction control has saved my life numerous times when I had to swerve whilst at highway speeds. HONDA
I wish it had a full complement of gauges. Was surprised to hear there is a bunch of steel between the bed section and the cab so hard braking won't put your load into the back seat. (I think about this stuff because I hit the gas in a Chevy truck back in the 70s with a bridge crane wheel I picked up from the heat treater sitting in the back. Almost took the tailgate off!) The other thing I heard Honda has done is put a frame on top of the unibody to prevent creating a flex point that could bend the unibody right where the cab and bed meet. Honda should highlight that because the Ridgeline is not the "same" as a Pilot and maybe the Passport either.
The Ridgeland is a Truck, definitely. It is in the middle of doing work/adventure and Family activities. The trunk is one of the features used by us, and the storage under the back seat. My family's only complaint is the lack of heating seats in the back. For me, outdoor activities, running a home depot, and daily commuter are great. Midsize truck is great. Thank you for the reviews, you guys tell them as they are whether we like them or not. Also to the other comments which do help us to those who actually ready some of the comments.
I have a 2017 RTL-T and it is the best driving car with a truck bed. Other people are use to peeing blood from bouncing down the road in a rough driving truck. Love the fuel mileage.
Just bought the Sport, don’t figure on getting it dirty, but it’s winter, so I’ll still be having a lot of excitement. Got the 2020, that’s as new as it gets, in central Illinois. Been running heavy equipment for 50 years, tired of mud! If I don’t fit in it, it’s your fault!
I have a 2011 Ridge line- Original style- In August 2020 I trailered a 1973 Chevy Malibu from western Iowa to Boulder Colorado. Two adult males in the cab, 200lbs each. The UHaul trailer weighed 2300 lbs and the car weighed 3700 lbs. A total of 6000 lbs. No problem with the 550 mile tow. Plenty of power. Most of the drive was on I-80 but some was on 2 lane hilly roads. I can easily tow 500 lbs. Lynel V, Boulder, CO
I’m ready to buy a truck. Just don’t know what year and which one. So many issues with 2012-2016 explorers. Rams. Chevys. 2018 Tacoma is nice bc I can get a manual. But looks so cheap for you money. Honda does have a lot of computer goodies which scares me too. But the motor in the Honda is way better than the Tacoma. F150s decent? What years?
@@mikeybally4338 what do you want the truck for? do you need a daily driver? or do you need something to get up the rubicon trail? or do you need to pull more than 5k? if you want the easiest truck to live with look at the honda. its got the best interior the best fuel economy for non diesel the second best payload in its class (only the gladiator is higher) it will fit plywood sheets in the box flat. its by far the best handling and riding truck. though it is not the best off roader or heavy tower. if ground clearance and angles are not an issue the ridgeline is really capable offroad, just put a good set of 265's on it and have fun just dont expect to rock crawl it. it handles gravel and washboards like a champ. and reliability is really good.
I have a 2020 Ridgeline and I love it! We haul our camper and it’s a great daily driver. We were deciding between the Ridgeline and the Gladiator. The Ridgeline had more safety features, better options and cost $10k less. The Gladiator looks really impressive and we love the look of it, but the Ridgeline had too many things going for it.
How times are changing. Back in days of the old(80’s), V8 engine with more weight and less hpower was called truck. Now we have something more powerful but debating if it’s a truck.
@@jakes5530 I haven’t had any issues with the transmission on my Ridgeline and hopefully I won’t, I will have had it a year on the 7th of January and just reached 8500 mile so all’s good so far
@@Tmorgan148 2021 redesign will be tempting in a few years after my current car is paid for. Ridgeline fits my needs perfectly, just concerned about that 9 speed from what I’ve read online. Especially since I plan to tow, it’s gotta be a strong and reliable transmission.
I have a 2017 Ridgeline Black Edition. When I saw it I thought, a glorified El Camino. I was wrong. I love this truck. it will do anything I need to do on a daily basis with comfort style and respectable mileage. If I need big hauling I have my Dodge Ram 3500 but realistically speaking that is rare.
I owned 2 Honda Ridgelines. An ‘08 and an ‘06. I loved them both but the circumstances caused me to have to sell them. I just recently purchased a ‘21 Black Edition and all I gotta say is, WOW! It is everything I remember it being and sooo much more! To me, it’s a truck even if “hardcore” truck guys wanna scoff at that statement. I was in the market for the Ridgeline of a new Tacoma. I don’t regret my decision for a single second 😎
Stephen, Let's put aside the 'controversy' about the Ridgeline. The fact is generation 1 and 2 Ridgelines sold/sell in small numbers as will the upcoming Hyundai and Ford unibody trucks. Body-on-frame truck makers lose NO sleep whatsoever worrying about this type of truck. BTW the only Ridgeline controversy I see is the use of a timing belt instead of a timing chain.
The big 3 definitely dont lose sleep over this, but there's only one way to change people's perception of a product. I believe Honda is smart to continue the development here to show that there are vehicles that meet your wants and needs, without some of the drawbacks of what tradition provided.
I'm on my second Ridgeline (2017) and I liked them both a lot. One big issue they fixed in 2020 model is the year door now swings a full 45 degrees. The older body versions with the same bed style only did about 30 degrees which means you have to be a gymnast to get in the back seat. Also the addition of a 9 speed over the older seems like a nice improvement as well although our 2017 Pilot had a 9 speed and it was O.K. but nothing to rave about. I can fully attest to the fact that it is not an off-road vehicle considering the $1300+ (USD) damage to front end plastic parts plus a hole in the exhaust pipe. I wasn't even off-roading. I was driving on some tall grass on my daughter farm and slammed into a 6 inch high concrete well cover that was hidden by weeds. Luckily I was only going about 5 miles an hour or so. Overall though, it is a great light duty, general purpose mid-sized truck that has very good performance and excellent fuel economy (considering its weight) and rides as good (maybe better) as any mid-sized independent suspension SUV.
@Grunt trying to make it something it wasn't designed for. Should have just bought a vehicle with higher ground clearance instead. I don't believe in second guessing the engineers by altering the geometry. It will just give negative results elsewhere. The Ridgeline will jump curbs in a traffic jamb emergency just fine.
My 2006 Ridgeline just turned 245K miles and runs perfect. It’s very reliable and versatile. However, I plan on upgrading to a full sized truck soon because I need to tow a 6000lb+ trailer.
I’ve been looking at getting a full-size ram/titan/silverado and so on but the mpg and features plus reliability out of a ridgeline really got me turning its direction. Me and my wife are gonna have to test one out and see what we think of it.
People still buy trucks based on brand and size not generally on best fit. Living in the South I hear people dog the Ridgeline because they don't really get it. I have a F250 and a Ridgeline. They both do the same thing but on a different scale. The Ridgeline is so easy to drive and great around town. Grocery shopping and home depot included. The F250 is the truck I use when I have to tow or cart heavy material. You just have to use it in the right application.
Okay, first off I decided to watch this considering that your a big guy like myself and to see how you fit in it and if you had any beefs along that line. Seems a non issue. My compliments on the use of imperial measurements and not hanging on to the métriks. Also nice you critiqued it's truck end of things. Well done.
This is a Truck. Ride comfort from uni-body, Engineering Quality of Honda, Utility features of trunk, swing open tailgate, flip up rear seats, flat floor, bed-located 120V plug, lighting, standard included hitch and wiring. You can tow most boats, campers and utility trailers. Visibility is great from the driver's seat and the fuel economy is good and the power is more than enough. I've lived with mine since it was available in 2017 and I don't plan to go back to Toyota or RAM.
Great review. I actually really like the ridgeline for what it is, but like I commented in the other video where you compared the first gen to the second gen -I just really wish it came with an extended cab and longer bed.
@@jpeterman57 Yeah I know it’s already a four door, I just specified four door with a longer bed because I wouldn’t want them to do an access cab style with a long bed.
Great video!! Wish you guys could test at 5000 lbs, as I want to get an R Pod travel trailer, which will be towed by my Ridgeline. I'll be towing less than 5K lbs with the R Pod, but it will be not a lot less than that. Thanks for the review!
If you watch the design engineers release video from late 2016, they explain that while this is unibody, there is a "Y" shaped frame member that runs from front through the bed. It is more than just a converted Pilot
When my wife bought a new van, I replaced my 2014 grand caravan with a rtl-t ridgeline. No sense in 2 vans. The car seats fit the Ridgeline better than my old van. It tows our 17 foot coleman 17b camper 4100 lbs, my dad 19ft bass boat, and a couple of utvs fine. Even pulled dad's Silverado out of the mud once, ironically after I had gone through said mud with no issues. People forget that 4x4s are not 4x4 if they have an open differential.
Other channels did off-road test with the Ridgeline and the Ridgeline did extremely well I don't think your off-road evaluation was that great the biggest limits for the system is the ground clearance the all-wheel drive system is stellar...IN Texas we don't have very many front-wheel drive trucks because we have lots of money and we can afford BIG BAD ASS four-wheel drives we also have some very serious challenges for four wheel and off-road vehicles I've seen many of good four-wheel drives go down to some sticky Texas mud bogs but my gen 1 Ridgeline was actually one of the best off-road vehicles I ever used as far as not getting stuck... I've had heavier 4-wheel drives get stuck in bogs and watch all four tires spin in the mud and dig in to the axles quick...you better have a good four-wheel drive with some good tires if you come to Texas during one of our Monsoon rains and you think you're going to go off-road Canada boy...LMAO... BTW I really enjoy your shows ... No Doubt Canada must have some awesome off-road trails for serious 4x4s. AND LONG LIVE GEDDY LEE... thanks for Rush!!!
The way I see it it's a truck for people in cities who want to some truck things but also want a crossover but want more room. Honda knows its place and who its targets and they do it great!
I've owned several pickup trucks over the past 30 years. The most recent truck I sold was a Ford F350 diesel 4x4 that I used to tow a heavy fifth wheel camper. Each vehicle I've owned was a tool to do a job. I only bought that diesel, for example, because it was big, heavy, and had massive torque. Those are things you want when towing a big trailer and it performed that specific job flawlessly. Because that's what it was designed for. When I wasn't towing the fifth wheel the truck wasn't doing what it was really designed for and it was terrible at everything else. Terrible at driving without a full load due to the stiff suspension, terrible at parking, terrible on forest roads, terrible in the snow, terrible ride quality on bumpy dirt roads, and very expensive to work on when things broke.
My Tacoma was far more reliable and easier to park in the city but it rode like a brick too. But hey, it was also a tool that I needed because I wanted to do some hard-core wheeling on the weekends. This truck is regarded by most people as the best off-road pickup there is and with good reason. IF you want to do serious off-roading. I didn't mind the fact that it had a terrible factory stereo, didn't ride very well, had a cramped interior, no storage, somewhat dated looks, (though not as bad as the Frontier), and had a lot of road noise. These days I have ATV's and dirt bikes to go off-road with and the Ridgeline tows my 4,000-pound trailer full of toys like butter thanks to the nearly 300 HP and 9-speed transmission. So now all I care about is having a truck bed to get stuff at the local hardware store once a month (like most people) and one with a quiet interior, a really nice stereo, a plush ride like a Cadillac, great passing power, reliability, and really good gas mileage. All of those boxes were ticked when I test drove the 2020 Ridgeline. I bought this truck after test driving the 2020 Ranger, Colorado, and Tacoma. I felt the Ridgeline interior was substantially wider (it is, by 4") and the overall ride quality and road noise were FAR better than the competition. (no contest) But the truck "trunk" was the number one selling point for me though because I like to carry a lot of gear in the truck and don't want to worry about it getting stolen. We all know thieves will break in if they see any gear in the backseat. They'll also break into truck toolboxes really easily. But most people don't even know the Ridgeline truck trunk exists. It's under the bed by the tailgate, and it's massive. I keep 2 motorcycle helmets, a pair of jackets, 2 pairs of gloves, riding boots, tie-down straps, a hiking backpack full of gear, 4 hiking poles, a tackle box, and 2 fishing rods in that trunk and lock it then close the tailgate. People walk by the truck, see nothing in the bed, nothing in the seats, and move on. Call it a truck, call it a car with a bed, I don't care. I wouldn't attempt to do any serious off-roading in this vehicle but I can say it handles snow and mud on forest roads and mountain trails really well and I've never gotten stuck. As far as what I want from a truck nowadays, there's just nothing else on the road that comes close to this Ridgeline. It does everything it was designed to do VERY well. Do like I did, right before you buy the truck you think you want, test drive the Ridgeline. It will change your mind. That's what happened to me. LOL
This vehicle is ugly, so 95% will not buy it. This is what you buy when you want to be different, then you come back to reality and get a real truck that you should've bought in the first damn place.
@@toyotadude6771 The majority of Americans who buy trucks never tow or carry heavy loads, they do grocery shopping and commute to work. The whole point of a truck like this is if you tow occasionally or need to pickup light loads while having the driving characteristics and fuel economy of a car or SUV. Insofar as there are buyers, they'll keep making ridgelines, tacomas, and santacruzs. People aren't gonna buy a compact small low displacement pickup just to be "different", they buy it if it fitsn their needs and lifestyle. Just look at Japan, they have kei trucks, for the most part, thats all most people need.
thanks for a well written review
Dad's Hammer analogy is spot on!
My thought as well, Dan! Not being a dualie, doesn't make it not a truck. It still does the truck things most drivers need.
I thought I wanted the F-150 or the Ram 1500, but realized that it is all about image and perception of toughness!. I am a regular person that enjoys the smooth driving comfort as offered in the 2022 Ridgeline, and the utility of a cargo bed for picking up supplies at Home Depot!
You guys do the best honest review/test on all trucks. Love that you give your true likes and dislikes on all trucks and not just say what the viewers want to hear.
I've owned my '20 RTL-E for 13 months now and your review is spot on. I do occasional truck things with it, but mostly just making the daily driver trips around town. That trunk, though--WOW! I've hidden so many valuable things in there, stuff I don't want stolen while I'm making long trips and feel completely confident that all of it is out of sight. Speaking of trips, I seldom use the bed for those trips, mostly just lift the rear seats and load up the back of the cabin with little goodies I will need. The truck auto-locks when I walk away and I hear its reassuring beep that this happened. Your comments on the fact that it's really a truck for the everyday person, but not for a REAL off-roader is true. Minor off-roading is what 90+% of the drivers really do and this will do that in spades. The Ridgeline is an awesome vehicle that works like a truck and drives like a car. The everyday driver needs this vehicle.
All great points! Now if they could just make it look better I'd be all in.
I have a 2018. I was cross shopping with F150s and the Jeep Gladiator before i bought the ridgeline. It has been one of the best vehicles i have ever owned. Very useful, not an oversized heavy weight like all full-sizes have become, great on fuel, great for the family with lots of room in the back, comfy...no shortcomings found yet.
My wife and I spoke with a gentleman from British Columbia a few months ago. He’s had pretty well every type of Pickups in his life. He rates his current Ridgeline as the best he’s ever had!
I live by the beach. The AWD gets me where I want to set up. I hang out, drink and fish. My black edition is perfect. The trunk keeps my gear locked up when I’m not using it. The trunk also has a drain plug so you can fill it with ice and drinks. The bed speakers provide the music and the battery has a smart sensor so it won’t run out of juice and leave you stranded. Something else they didn’t note in the video is that there’s a 150- to 400-watt power outlet in the bed for tools or anything else you might need to plug in (ahem...blender).
Have an ‘08 RTL and I absolutely love it. I’m a Ridgeline man for life now
Your dad comment about "trucks" is on point! 💪 good job guys! Im gonna wait for the 2021 model with the new front end.
One of the best ridgeline reviews I’ve seen. And I’ve seen many. I look forward to your other videos!
By far the best and most comprehensive Ridgeline review I have seen! I have been in the auto industry for 16 years, and I am currently the service manager at a Honda dealership. I used to make fun of these trucks with my General Motors background, and they have intrigued me. To see you load them and tow with them helped me answer any doubts! Thank you for doing such a great job. This might very well be my next vehicle! I was going to do a leveling kit but now seeing the 2" squat I might just go 2" all the way around. Thanks again for such great content!
The older I get the more I think long and hard about what my real needs are for the way I live my life and not how I think I might live it. I have a 2018 4x4 Ram quad cab with the Hemi and I love it, but this would be a better fit for me. I don’t really get why folks get bogged down about what it is or isn’t. Just be realistic about what your needs are and buy the truck/ vehicle to fit. A Ridgeline RTL-E is next in line for me.
Cody, I wholeheartedly agree with you! With time, you pinpoint your actual needs, and suddenly you find out that everyday driving pleasure and occasional trip to the lumberyard is all what you need. RTL-E is perfect for this!
It's a tool. When I need a vehicle I question whether it will do what I want. The ridgeline checks all the boxes. Comfort, reliability, storage, fuel mileage, pull my 3000 lb utility trailer, maneuver well in parking lots, high safety rating, peppiness, excellent traction, handling etc. I don't need a tool that will pull heavy peanut wagons out of muddy fields or climb rocks.
When gas was $4.95 per gallon in CA in 2009 or so, an electrician I knew bought a Scion wagon and parked the company's F250 diesel. He removed the rear seats, installed some racks, managed to fit all his regular tools. Almost got 30 mpg around town in SoCal.
Did you think that way when you were younger?
@@squidusn71 Definitely not! At younger age, other parts of your body did the thinking for you...
I just bought it, I love it, it's exactly as you described it. I'll do truck stuff on the weekend :D Thanks for the video it helped me deciding yesterday.
Nerd 🤓
Steven, great review. Your dad really summed it up clearly. It's a truck, maybe light duty in ways, but get over the fact that it is a truck.
I love this truck, car, whatever. It's a great all-around vehicle
I have a 2019. The ride is great. the interior is great. It is very quiet. Nice upright sitting position(much better than a Tacoma).
It is great for runs to Home-Depot, comp-post, furniture transport.....
The tech is good, could be better. Wish it had a front-camera. The sliding back window lets air out so no buffeting. Just my opinion.
@Michael Patrick , I think I would go Ram or Ford if I had to tow! I will never tow.
@Michael Patrick If the big truck look is your thing and you need to pull heavy loads then get a different truck by all means.
My daughter sat in the back, and she was excited about the Theater Seatings! No car sickness!
A lot of great points here. Daily driver being one of them. I drive UPS truck all day. I don't want a half ton for a daily driver. We're a family of 3 plus dog. We have a 16' hunting/fishing boat and plan on buying small camper trailer this spring. The Ridgeline is on the top of our list while we're shopping for a truck. Only problem.. finding one. I don't like buying new so finding a 2 year old one with decent kms has been tough.
no kidding the dealership is Begging to buy my parents 18' back and give them a new 21' good thing the 21' looks amazing with its refresh.
Great hammer analogy! He's a boss! Now I understand why some people criticized the ridgeline and why some people love it. Thanks!
A few days after this aired, Honda showed the redesigned nose. Looks much better!
If the trend keeps on we will be driving a Ridgeline that looks like a semi. I prefer aerodynamically efficient. Toyota ruined the Pre-Runner (I've owned two) when they tried to emulate big trucks. That was a factor for me in chosing the Ridgeline G2.
Yes they do
Honda takes their customer seriously. Unlike Toyota
@@kongxiong6005 how? By giving us AWD (not 4wd) and 5k lb towing in a truck?
Give us 7k, 4wd and maybe another inch or two of clearance and you’ve got a vehicle that competes with a tacoma and ranger. This is not that.
@@vitaly6312 because they listen to feedbacks and make changes. their not trying to win towing contest..and i can tell you 70% people who buy trucks just drive it daily. they dont off road everyday and this truck was designed to be jack of all trades. not pinnacle of towing.
When I grew up, a truck was anything with a bed. Even the El Camino
Ahh, those were the days... S10, Blazer, Ranger, Hilux, Tacoma, etc.
mantiscity hell yeah I love driving my El Camino
Over here in Australia we'd call the Ridgeline a Dual Cab Ute (short for utility pick-up). Back when you guys had the El Camino for all those years we had the Holden (General Motors) Standard then Kingswood then Commodore Ute, Ford Falcon Ute, Chrysler Valiant Ute.
The king and last of them all was the 2017 Holden Maloo GTSR with a 580hp supercharged 6.2 liter LSA V8. A shit crazy beast.
@@tonymillar5342 Plus prior and after WW2 you had Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet Utes someone had a Rolls Royce made into one
Don't forget the Ford Ranchero
Personally, IF I never off road, I wouldn't mind having that truck. Has everything you need, hell even better if your tailgating often. Nice video by the way!
Yeah its a fail offroad for sure. I can feel the trans temp rising from here
Honda Ridgeline has a higher bed pay load than my Toyota Crewmax SR5. Your review of the Tundra actually shocked me as I never looked at load capacity only tow capacity.
My 2011 Ridgeline has 275,000 klm of trouble free riding. Been the best vehicle I have ever owned
The previous ridgeline I owned was one of the best vehicles I ever owned. And it was definitely a truck, a great one.
Ridgeline owner here: Truck or not is semantics. Frankly, I call it a city truck all the time. Most of the time, I drive it back and forth to work with an empty bed, in quiet comfort getting 24-36 mpg in the city, 27-30 mpg on the highway. I especially enjoy the lockable trunk which I use everyday and if I get a flat tire, I like that I don’t have to lay in the dirt on the side of the road to get the dust covered spare tire out. The bottom line, for 95 percent of my use, it’s perfect and for those times when towing a boat or heavy(ish) trailer, I have to stretch it a bit but it does do the job. And during those times when I need more, I use a diesel 3/4 ton. All vehicles are a compromise to some degree, but for what it is, I couldn’t be happier with it. For most typical DIY homeowner’s, I sincerely doubt they need more.
It's a truck but I'm drawing the line with the Subaru baja
The ironic thing is that 80 percent of full sized truck owners use their trucks in the same exact manner that you use your Ridgeline for, but yet they will complain that the Ridgeline is not "truck enough" for their needs lmao.
I just got my black edition a month ago... it is an excellent vehicle, I love it! Confortable and practical at the same time...
Old man is the real thing talking hammers and trucks.
I liked his comparison.
Yeah, and think about this: As much as some folks like to hate on the Ridgeline, IT has higher payload than a Ford Raptor!
The facelifted 2021s that look so good just came out so I've been researching Ridgelines, and my attitude towards them has changed quite a bit. When Truck Dad started talking about hammers I knew some dope wisdom was going to come out. The man knows his stuff.
@@briandeiwert5911 Exactly. That hammers analogy is one of the best ever.
My Ridgeline is all the truck I'll ever need. It's my daily driver.
And that's what it's meant to be: a "Swiss Army knife" vehicle for city and suburban drivers who need the occasional utility use, but want something as comfortable as a sedan or SUV/crossover for their daily commute and long trips.
This channel is so much better than "The Fast Lane." These guys actually know what they're talking about, and keep their tests the same. TFL doesn't seem to care if they mess up, or don't track something, and there are only one or two guys on there that seem to know what to talk about when it comes to trucks.
Yeah tfl took a ridgeline offroad and the trans overheated. Its a pavement princess.
It is a great truck. You can take stuff to dumpster or go to Home Depot and get stuff. Great four wheel drive and best engine in class. Not really meant for outdoorsy four wheeling but otherwise fits the bill for 90% of what you need to do.
It actually did surprisingly well in The Fast Lane Truck's offroad obstacle course. It didn't do as well as most 4WD pickups, but it completed the course, whereas some SUVs they took on that course didn't.
I bought a Ridgeline RTL-E 2019 new, it is the truck I wanted and use. I’ve driven for 625 miles in one day, and was able to enjoy walking around at trails end. I live on the shoreline in CT. With the Pandemic and telework, my mileage of 250 /week is down to maybe 25/week. I’ll have this rig for a long time, and I’ll be luv’n what I got. BTW, prior Army 32+ years, have Driver Badge w/Wheels. I knew what I wanted, comfort during week and recreation capability on weekends. I liked your dad’s hammer comments, “center of mass.” I’m a subscriber now!
First time I’ve seen one of your reviews. Enjoyed being able to see you actually test some of the vehicles capabilities. Enjoyed the honest review. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
I currently have a 2010 Ridgeline, it's been 100% reliable, and it is amazingly stable at the tow limit of 5,000 lbs. I've been completely satisfied with it, but I do now need a truck with higher payload and more towing capability, so my next truck will be the mid-range AWD Cybertruck for $50k.
I moved to the Ridgeline after selling the RV. We went opposite directions. I'm 63 and I see no need for a fullsize truck again.
Have a 2019 RTL-E that I regularly use to tow tow a 2450 lb. Casita travel trailer plus gear. I have gone all over Canada and the U.S. with no problems. Love my Ridgeline!!! Also have hauled full loads of topsoil and mulch with no issues.
That V6 sounds good on the acceleration run. One of the highlights of the Ridgeline/Pilot/Passport, for sure.
I towed my lifted 87 4Runner on 37’s on a 16ft steel car trailer. The total weight was 5700 and it towed like a champ.
Great to see Big Green in the background.
My buddy summed the Ridgeline up in one quote when he got his first one in 2006: "It's the perfect truck for people who don't like trucks."
He's on his second one, a 2020, and I have a 2019 identical to his. We definitely are a rabid bunch of Ridgeline fans!
Most truck purchases are about image. Which admittedly, sadly, is actually important in a society as superficial as ours. I will be the first to admit I'd rather have a girl see me driving a Taco than a Ridgeline. That said, I could tell from test driving the Taco that the vehicle sucks for what I will actually use it for, and I will probably hate driving one. Yet... that's probably what I'll buy, because man.... I don't know if I can be seen driving this thing. Just the way it is.
@@FixedWing82 - When you get older and more mature, you won't give a shit what other people think of your rational decisions. Buy a Porsche if you want girls to look at you. I don't know a single female who would turn their head for a truck. lol
I traded in my 2016 Toyota Tacoma for a 2020 Ridgeline RLE-E and I love it! Especially the fact that it has a trunk! No other truck can say that.
Ride & drive quality comparison, cabin noise, towing ability and overall fuel econ comparison is possible please.
@@Resistculturaldecline ride and drive: very quiet interior, very comfortable seats, compared to no cushion in the Tacoma. Ride quality, no comparison, rides like a car! Towing capability 5,000 lbs. Bed payload 1,500 lbs. Fuel economy very close, right around 19 miles per gallon overall.
@@michaelfiedler4342 thank you sir
On point, no nonsense review.... bought the 2021 Ridgeline based on this assessment, and it's an awesome Truck, yes I said Truck...for the vast majority of what one would need or want to do with a Truck.
Was between a Tacoma and the Ridgeline, and made the right choice. Thanks much, Team Canada.
I've seen the older models lifted with ko2s and they actually look pretty awesome!! Great review an awesome videos
You’ve made me love my 2020 Honda Ridge line black edition even more. Great video and presentation and data.
You guys just popped up randomly on my feed. Like both your styles. The Texas / Arizona comment was gold. So was Dad's hammer comparison. Subscribed from Australia.
It would be a hoot to see you review our 2017 Holden Maloo R8 / GTSR Ute (550 / 580 hp supercharged 6.2 litre GM LSA V8).
I wish we got the Holden here - alas...
I tow my Parker 2120 pilot house boat with a 2018 ridgeline awd. Im pushing around the 5k limit and it handles it well towing 20 mins to the boat ramp on flat roads.
If we lived in Australia they would call it a Ute. I can agree with that handle for it, a good little work unit for moderate tasks and a solid daily driver with the ability to do some mild offroading. Good vidjéo guys!
that definition of ute now includes US pickups and also Asian ones as well
Fantastic and fun video. I'm considering a Ridgeline as it really makes the most sense for me. This is a great review.
I am really enjoying your channel. I like to keep informed on what is available in the truck market and you guys test them really well. I also really like the fact you guys are from Canada and give a Canadian perspective on things. I have a 2013 Ram 1500 being underutilized due to lifestyle changes....and was thinking of downsizing to a Ridgeline for my next truck.
I have a 2019 Ridgeline. I bought this truck for long trips with my motorcycles and DIY home projects. Living in an apartment it has come in handy for hauling trash, furniture, laundry, and my motorcycles.
They say it doesn't look like a truck, especially from the front. However I find a lot of truck owners either impressed with its look or jealous of it.
Beautiful job, guys.... very much appreciate the common-sense, unbiased approach. Exactly what I needed to know, as I'm considering buying one of these in the near future. Thanks, fellas.
That's so cool that Action Bronson is doing car reviews and has moved to Canada! Keep up the Great work action!
In all seriousness, I enjoyed the information and content provided. Much obliged!
Not gonna lie, that truck bed music setting is pretty slick! I could really see using that during camping or tailgating. And the trunk has a drain plug, so it can double as a cooler. Pretty thoughtful stuff. I like the 2021 redesign over this one.
probably all most guys need. They don't tow or haul anything heavy, just go to home depot and pick up some flowers and fertilizer for landscaping and lawn. No off roading etc...
Some guys driving a Raptor and they never take it offroad or tow anything. They drive on a few gravel roads and call that off-road. It's just bragging rights...
Exactly!
You explained yourself perfectly
@@mblake0420 Cruising down the streets with that Raptor is satisfying 👌 even though I don't need it.
Many guys think their truck make them macho man 😆 or just to compensate their lack of 🥚🥚.
@@rd4501 or they just want something nice. Someone is jealous of others, I would hate to be you.
Honda Ridgeline is a great all purpose everyday driver truck. Loved the in-bed trunk and two way tailgate. Owned a 2009 model year and after 272,000 "trouble free" km I retired it to my daughter who is still driving it. She has 325,000 km on it now. It handled all I asked it to pull, carry and off road in the bush. I now drive a 2018 Toyota Tundra because I needed to tow heavier stuff and I am off-road 4X4 weekly. The Tundra has been reliable and has 92,000 km of reliable service to its credit. The Tundra is a bit of an "Elephant" on the off road single lane roads or underground parking lots. Old school reliable gets my money every time.
Buddy, best review I've seen so far of the Ridgeline. I didn't realize that was your dad!? Lol. You guys are great testers for the people, now put 5k in that Honda so it can show the world it's chops. I love my Japanese El Camino, best practical vehicle I've ever owned and iVTEC is peppy as hell.
Thanks! 👍
I find it funny that folks need to defend their decision to buy what ever truck they want.
Most of the big three truck owners will never take their truck off road or tow anything. Now let's talk about how many actually use their 4 wheel drive.
Very different in Australia. Admittedly your big 3 are mighty rare , but our " midsizers" have up to 3000lb payloads
I lease mine so off roading hell yeah. But yeah, you are absolutely right. These guys buy these expensive trucks that comes with two glove departments. Ones for their gloves and the other for their scarfs.
If I was in Australia, I’d do what Australians do! I’m not, so I have to think for myself!
Right? I think I put my f150 in four wheel a few times a year.
Love OG's views on the truck.
Someone called the Ridgeline a "Swiss Army knife" vehicle, in that it does a lot of things well. It's not meant to be the equal of serious offroading trucks or tow 7,000 pounds, but it will handle most utility chores like fetching supplies from the lumber yard or home store (the bed is designed to lay flat 4 x 8 sheets of plywood or drywall, which not all midsize trucks can do) or haul a small camper to a campground, but as you say it's also a great daily commuter. Not everyone can afford to buy both a pickup and a sedan/SUV, but the Ridgeline manages to handle most if not all of the tasks that an urban driver will need.
Great review thanks. Yes it can't go over gigantic rocks but I can drive 90mph in 8 inches of snow and comfortably drive 60mph on crappy bumpy dirt and rock mountain roads because the tail end isn't bouncing all over the place. Also the traction control has saved my life numerous times when I had to swerve whilst at highway speeds. HONDA
I wish it had a full complement of gauges. Was surprised to hear there is a bunch of steel between the bed section and the cab so hard braking won't put your load into the back seat. (I think about this stuff because I hit the gas in a Chevy truck back in the 70s with a bridge crane wheel I picked up from the heat treater sitting in the back. Almost took the tailgate off!) The other thing I heard Honda has done is put a frame on top of the unibody to prevent creating a flex point that could bend the unibody right where the cab and bed meet. Honda should highlight that because the Ridgeline is not the "same" as a Pilot and maybe the Passport either.
Many don't realize that the Pilot was a design taken from the Ridgeline G2 drawing. Not vice versa. The Pilot was just manufactured first.
The Ridgeland is a Truck, definitely. It is in the middle of doing work/adventure and Family activities. The trunk is one of the features used by us, and the storage under the back seat. My family's only complaint is the lack of heating seats in the back. For me, outdoor activities, running a home depot, and daily commuter are great. Midsize truck is great. Thank you for the reviews, you guys tell them as they are whether we like them or not. Also to the other comments which do help us to those who actually ready some of the comments.
Dang, more payload than a Raptor.
I have a 2017 RTL-T and it is the best driving car with a truck bed. Other people are use to peeing blood from bouncing down the road in a rough driving truck. Love the fuel mileage.
Just bought the Sport, don’t figure on getting it dirty, but it’s winter, so I’ll still be having a lot of excitement. Got the 2020, that’s as new as it gets, in central Illinois. Been running heavy equipment for 50 years, tired of mud! If I don’t fit in it, it’s your fault!
Love this channel better than your old tfl trucks.
Excellent review...you covered everything that I need. In a Truck.
Thank you.
I have a 2011 Ridge line- Original style- In August 2020 I trailered a 1973 Chevy Malibu from western Iowa to Boulder Colorado. Two adult males in the cab, 200lbs each. The UHaul trailer weighed 2300 lbs and the car weighed 3700 lbs. A total of 6000 lbs. No problem with the 550 mile tow. Plenty of power. Most of the drive was on I-80 but some was on 2 lane hilly roads. I can easily tow 500 lbs.
Lynel V, Boulder, CO
I mean I can easily tow 5000 lbs
We stick to the manufacturer limits - 70 to 80% of what they publish. Will it tow more? sure, but we don't own it - so we don't do it. Thanks
Great job guys. Exactly what car review and tests should be about
I’m ready to buy a truck. Just don’t know what year and which one. So many issues with 2012-2016 explorers. Rams. Chevys. 2018 Tacoma is nice bc I can get a manual. But looks so cheap for you money. Honda does have a lot of computer goodies which scares me too. But the motor in the Honda is way better than the Tacoma. F150s decent? What years?
@@mikeybally4338 what do you want the truck for? do you need a daily driver? or do you need something to get up the rubicon trail? or do you need to pull more than 5k? if you want the easiest truck to live with look at the honda. its got the best interior the best fuel economy for non diesel the second best payload in its class (only the gladiator is higher) it will fit plywood sheets in the box flat. its by far the best handling and riding truck. though it is not the best off roader or heavy tower. if ground clearance and angles are not an issue the ridgeline is really capable offroad, just put a good set of 265's on it and have fun just dont expect to rock crawl it. it handles gravel and washboards like a champ. and reliability is really good.
@@zomgz932 I bought the 2017 with 35000km. Lol. So far so good. Although I do need a new air vent blower already. Lol
Love the new channel! Did you break ties with The Fast Lane Truck folks?
That's why I thought he looked familiar!
He still does the TFLoffroad stuff I think
I have a 2020 Ridgeline and I love it! We haul our camper and it’s a great daily driver. We were deciding between the Ridgeline and the Gladiator. The Ridgeline had more safety features, better options and cost $10k less. The Gladiator looks really impressive and we love the look of it, but the Ridgeline had too many things going for it.
Man your father was on point 👌🏽.. buy whatever u like and suits your life style.
How times are changing. Back in days of the old(80’s), V8 engine with more weight and less hpower was called truck. Now we have something more powerful but debating if it’s a truck.
a lot of men are insecure its pathetic
Very good point.
I have the 2020 Ridgeline RTL-E for just one month shy of a year and I love everything thing about this vehicle. Very comfortable and smooth riding
Any problems with the new transmission? People have had issues with Honda's 9 speed in other products
@@jakes5530 I haven’t had any issues with the transmission on my Ridgeline and hopefully I won’t, I will have had it a year on the 7th of January and just reached 8500 mile so all’s good so far
@@Tmorgan148 good to hear, cheers
@@jakes5530 absolutely love everything about it however the 2021s are looking nice LOL
@@Tmorgan148 2021 redesign will be tempting in a few years after my current car is paid for. Ridgeline fits my needs perfectly, just concerned about that 9 speed from what I’ve read online. Especially since I plan to tow, it’s gotta be a strong and reliable transmission.
I have a 2017 Ridgeline Black Edition. When I saw it I thought, a glorified El Camino. I was wrong. I love this truck. it will do anything I need to do on a daily basis with comfort style and respectable mileage. If I need big hauling I have my Dodge Ram 3500 but realistically speaking that is rare.
Father in law has one and its an awesome truck. If it had a more truck looking front I would get one myself!
They just butcher up the front end of the 21
I owned 2 Honda Ridgelines. An ‘08 and an ‘06. I loved them both but the circumstances caused me to have to sell them. I just recently purchased a ‘21 Black Edition and all I gotta say is, WOW! It is everything I remember it being and sooo much more! To me, it’s a truck even if “hardcore” truck guys wanna scoff at that statement. I was in the market for the Ridgeline of a new Tacoma. I don’t regret my decision for a single second 😎
Great Review...exactly the truck I am looking for. Thank You.
I actually considered a Ridgeline years ago. I do like the older/more square body style of the previous generations.
look at the 21 now its back to the box look.
Stephen, Let's put aside the 'controversy' about the Ridgeline. The fact is generation 1 and 2 Ridgelines sold/sell in small numbers as will the upcoming Hyundai and Ford unibody trucks. Body-on-frame truck makers lose NO sleep whatsoever worrying about this type of truck. BTW the only Ridgeline controversy I see is the use of a timing belt instead of a timing chain.
The big 3 definitely dont lose sleep over this, but there's only one way to change people's perception of a product. I believe Honda is smart to continue the development here to show that there are vehicles that meet your wants and needs, without some of the drawbacks of what tradition provided.
@@ALMX5DP If one is shopping for Hondas, a Pilot/Passport with a utility trailer seems like a better idea to me.
@@rightlanehog3151 if you have the space to store one, that can certainly be an option. Having the option is great for people who need such a vehicle.
Nice job, well explained. Loved the analogy about hammers.
Glad you liked it!
I'm on my second Ridgeline (2017) and I liked them both a lot. One big issue they fixed in 2020 model is the year door now swings a full 45 degrees. The older body versions with the same bed style only did about 30 degrees which means you have to be a gymnast to get in the back seat. Also the addition of a 9 speed over the older seems like a nice improvement as well although our 2017 Pilot had a 9 speed and it was O.K. but nothing to rave about. I can fully attest to the fact that it is not an off-road vehicle considering the $1300+ (USD) damage to front end plastic parts plus a hole in the exhaust pipe. I wasn't even off-roading. I was driving on some tall grass on my daughter farm and slammed into a 6 inch high concrete well cover that was hidden by weeds. Luckily I was only going about 5 miles an hour or so. Overall though, it is a great light duty, general purpose mid-sized truck that has very good performance and excellent fuel economy (considering its weight) and rides as good (maybe better) as any mid-sized independent suspension SUV.
You can buy some Pilot rear door extenders that will fix the problem with the rear doors. I did it on my 2018. Only took 20 minutes.
@@gazzablanca Thanks.. Didn't know about this. After reading your comment I found a YT video on how to do it and just ordered the parts.
Can you do a video on a manual transmission Tacoma vs Gladiator?
They make 2" and 3.5" lift for these
@Grunt because they feel like it
Because 'Meric.....canada
@Grunt trying to make it something it wasn't designed for. Should have just bought a vehicle with higher ground clearance instead. I don't believe in second guessing the engineers by altering the geometry. It will just give negative results elsewhere. The Ridgeline will jump curbs in a traffic jamb emergency just fine.
My 2006 Ridgeline just turned 245K miles and runs perfect. It’s very reliable and versatile. However, I plan on upgrading to a full sized truck soon because I need to tow a 6000lb+ trailer.
I’ve been looking at getting a full-size ram/titan/silverado and so on but the mpg and features plus reliability out of a ridgeline really got me turning its direction. Me and my wife are gonna have to test one out and see what we think of it.
Great review Stephen can not wait for a review of a Ram Big Horn 5.7 Hemi North edition
People still buy trucks based on brand and size not generally on best fit. Living in the South I hear people dog the Ridgeline because they don't really get it. I have a F250 and a Ridgeline. They both do the same thing but on a different scale. The Ridgeline is so easy to drive and great around town. Grocery shopping and home depot included. The F250 is the truck I use when I have to tow or cart heavy material. You just have to use it in the right application.
Excellent review! I have a RTL with AWD. Love it! 👍
Okay, first off I decided to watch this considering that your a big guy like myself and to see how you fit in it and if you had any beefs along that line. Seems a non issue. My compliments on the use of imperial measurements and not hanging on to the métriks. Also nice you critiqued it's truck end of things. Well done.
We were both comfortable in this truck. No problems there.
A good review; thanks. How did you like the push button shifting arrangement? I think I'd prefer the previous style lever.
This is a Truck. Ride comfort from uni-body, Engineering Quality of Honda, Utility features of trunk, swing open tailgate, flip up rear seats, flat floor, bed-located 120V plug, lighting, standard included hitch and wiring. You can tow most boats, campers and utility trailers. Visibility is great from the driver's seat and the fuel economy is good and the power is more than enough. I've lived with mine since it was available in 2017 and I don't plan to go back to Toyota or RAM.
I wouldn't even consider a RAM. Honda, Toyota, Ford, bicycle in that order for me.
@@jpeterman57 I'd choose a bicycle over a Ford but that's just me lol
Great review. I actually really like the ridgeline for what it is, but like I commented in the other video where you compared the first gen to the second gen -I just really wish it came with an extended cab and longer bed.
4 door, six foot bed and a 7500lbs tow rating would be a dream for me if they ever added some variations to it.
@@jessebutler9352 It already is a 4-door. I like the back seat comfort as well.
@@jpeterman57 Yeah I know it’s already a four door, I just specified four door with a longer bed because I wouldn’t want them to do an access cab style with a long bed.
I love my 13 Ridgeline, does all I need a truck bed for.
great info--love the hammer euphemism, it is mint!!
It was an analogy.
Tthank you both for your review !!! Love this info :)
Our pleasure!
Great video!! Wish you guys could test at 5000 lbs, as I want to get an R Pod travel trailer, which will be towed by my Ridgeline. I'll be towing less than 5K lbs with the R Pod, but it will be not a lot less than that.
Thanks for the review!
If you watch the design engineers release video from late 2016, they explain that while this is unibody, there is a "Y" shaped frame member that runs from front through the bed. It is more than just a converted Pilot
Pilot was based on the Ridgeline not vice versa. They took what they needed for the Pilot from the Ridgeline drawing and produced it first.
Has more rear leg room than any other mid size truck and that has to be important to some people
When my wife bought a new van, I replaced my 2014 grand caravan with a rtl-t ridgeline. No sense in 2 vans. The car seats fit the Ridgeline better than my old van. It tows our 17 foot coleman 17b camper 4100 lbs, my dad 19ft bass boat, and a couple of utvs fine. Even pulled dad's Silverado out of the mud once, ironically after I had gone through said mud with no issues. People forget that 4x4s are not 4x4 if they have an open differential.
And the seats completely fold out of the way to make room for two large dogs.
Excellent review fellas!
Other channels did off-road test with the Ridgeline and the Ridgeline did extremely well I don't think your off-road evaluation was that great the biggest limits for the system is the ground clearance the all-wheel drive system is stellar...IN Texas we don't have very many front-wheel drive trucks because we have lots of money and we can afford BIG BAD ASS four-wheel drives we also have some very serious challenges for four wheel and off-road vehicles I've seen many of good four-wheel drives go down to some sticky Texas mud bogs but my gen 1 Ridgeline was actually one of the best off-road vehicles I ever used as far as not getting stuck... I've had heavier 4-wheel drives get stuck in bogs and watch all four tires spin in the mud and dig in to the axles quick...you better have a good four-wheel drive with some good tires if you come to Texas during one of our Monsoon rains and you think you're going to go off-road Canada boy...LMAO... BTW I really enjoy your shows ... No Doubt Canada must have some awesome off-road trails for serious 4x4s. AND LONG LIVE GEDDY LEE... thanks for Rush!!!
The way I see it it's a truck for people in cities who want to some truck things but also want a crossover but want more room. Honda knows its place and who its targets and they do it great!
It's great for us country folks too!