Honda Ridgeline was named the 2006 truck of the year by Motor Trend magazine

[ShadowDog]

Oh good grief,

When Motor Trend started doing their SUV of the Year, I sent a letter of praise in their ability to acknowledge the difference between trucks and SUVs.  They even published my letter in their reader's column.

The Ridgeline is little different from an SUV but for having no solid canopy over the bed.  Even some SUV's are more truck-like than the Ridgeline.  I get the feeling these light-duty SUVs and uni-body trucks are watering down the definition and purpose of what a truck really is.  I suppose it doesn't matter since the kind of people who utilize the hard-edge purpose of a truck probably don't bother reading Motor Trend to begin with.  The Ridgeline simply doesn't appeal to that market, so it's fitting that Motor Trend appropriately measure the ability of the Ridgeline based on the requirements of the pavement-pounding suburban socialites.

Put the Ridgeline in an issue of Four Wheeler and they offer the same questions:  "Is it a pickup? An SUV? A minivan? Actually, Honda’s brand-new SUT combines elements of all three, in a surprisingly capable package..."  If anything, the Ridgeline scores high simply because of its versatility rather than its over-all ablility.  As the saying goes, "Jack of all trades, master of nothing."

Let's just say it doesn't appeal to my needs.  The problem is, can it be worth advertising to everyone with the same problem I have?  Is it capable enough for those with particular needs over simple versatility?

[The Mighty Duck]

Is it capable enough for those with particular needs over simple versatility?

Um...  yes.  Excluding construction companies et al. that use trucks for serious heavy duty work, I would wager that a great deal of trucks on the market are bought by people that need a truck two days out of the week.  Our truck, for example, is used to its fullest perhaps once a month: all of the other duties we might use it for can be accomplished by the Ridgeline.  And the Ridge would probably actually do a better job of them.

As has been stated, the Ridgeline is not trying to compete with F150, RAM, et al.  It is a new class of truck.  That does not make it any less of a truck, not any more than saying that a Mazda Miata is not a "car" because it does not have four doors.

Within every class of vehicle you see a breakdown:
Cars -> coupes, sedans, hatches, roadsters, etc.
SUVs - Sport-utes, Midsize, Full size

Why should trucks be any different?  People buy 4 cylinder Ford Rangers when they suit their needs, people buy the Ridgeline when it suits their needs.  Just because it does not suit your needs does not make it any less of a truck...

[ShadowDog]

I see where you're coming from; however, the competition might as well be all you say isn't because the TOTY award is only offered to vehicles eligible based on brand new models, alterations or innovations for that particular model year.  The competition in this case was: Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram Mega Cab, Isuzu i350, Lincoln Mark LT, and Mitsubishi Raider.

In this case, the Ridgeline would be a certain pick based on the content-lacking competitors.

The problem is, if people are expecting some of these innovations found in the Ridgeline to cross over into the entire realm of trucks, would that help or hurt?  For instance, will people be expecting a fully-independant suspension setup on everything just because automotive journalists say it's a great thing when a live-axle for relative-duty is the norm?  Expect to continue with light-to-medium duty usage not unlike that of an SUV instead of what you could do with, say, a Dakota.  So while the Ridgeline isn't directly competing against an F-150, will people shy away from the F-150 because MT thinks the Ridgeline is better, even though the F-150 would likely perform the same tasks, and then some, with its upgraded ability?  I'm only asking because it would seem odd to be looking at particular positives in a Ridgeline when the competition of the full-sized variety just isn't even designed with those particular things at top priority.  Is that a worth-while comparison?

Just consider me the one looking out for the dumb sheeple of the world taking what automotive journalists say as gospel.

[boytoys]

Found this Ridgeline at leasebxxxxr today... hope Santa picked it up for me...

http://www.leasebusters.com/$295/details.asp?ID=10766

[The Mighty Duck]

the competition might as well be all you say isn't because the TOTY award is only offered to vehicles eligible based on brand new models, alterations or innovations for that particular model year.  The competition in this case was: Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram Mega Cab, Isuzu i350, Lincoln Mark LT, and Mitsubishi Raider.

I did admit that the competition wasn't terribly tough in this segment...  and if the award was for best truck, period, Ridgeline probably would not have won.  There are things it simply cannot do that RAM and F-series can...  it won based on inovation, and it's role as an urban truck.  To me, TOTY does not automatically mean it's the very best truck on the market...  though I admit some people might see it that way.

So while the Ridgeline isn't directly competing against an F-150, will people shy away from the F-150 because MT thinks the Ridgeline is better, even though the F-150 would likely perform the same tasks, and then some, with its upgraded ability?

But again, if it suits their needs, that's fine.  There may be some unfortunate people who buy the Ridgeline thinking it can do things it can't...  but that is, in the end, their fault (and maybe the fault of the salesman... ).  I think people looking for a heavy duty truck won't cross-shop the Ridgeline anyway, for a number of reasons.

[jimmy10]

Wow,just got to see one of these critters up close today.It might be a good vehicle or maybe not,but one thing for sure,the Ridgeline is one of the ugliest vehicles I have ever seen. Reminds me of something they would drive in a Mad Max movie,one ugly son of a *****!

[wing]

Really?  I don't find it ugly, and I'll see one up close today

[inco]

Just couldn't keep a secret could you. There goes the neighbourhood - S2000 and a Ridgeline side by side. Maybe the S2 will fit in the back. Poor Subie left alone and deserted in some strange lot.

[Craig]

I know contractors who are starting to buy them in quantity for all their jobsite supervisory people.  They can carry some tools and material *and* get great gas mileage.  Being Hondas, they also expect them to last longer, though that remains tro be seen.  The site guys love 'em because of the truck-like ability with car-like road manners.  The accountants probably aren't too happy because they cost more than a comparable GM or Ford, but they may change their tune when the gas receipts come in.

[safristi]

..BUT IT's NOT a MAGAZINE.....!!!!!!

[Scaerio]

I've noticed more and more Ridgelines around OTT lately.  Maybe people are paying attention to these awards...

[jonl]

The accountants probably aren't too happy because they cost more than a comparable GM or Ford

Is this accurate?  I see Ridgelines advertised well-equipped starting at $35k, which seems in line with other 4-door, 4x4 pickups.

[Craig]

You can get a GMC Canyon for less, for example.

[G0dspd]

The Ridgeline is bigger-ish than a Canyon and smaller than a Sierra (taking GMC models as an example) ... I'm not even sure if the new Ford Sport Trac is that similar in size? 

[wing]

I've been beside a few Sport Tracs in the last few days (kind of funny because before getting the ridgeline I never noticed them), and they are smaller.

[G0dspd]

I meant the new one