Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Honda Ridgeline Touring

[blotter]

stay tuned....

I took a Taco for a 20km run / 30 minute drive yesterday.
put it side by side with my dad's RL.   

I plan to put up a review, the start of my own shopping experience when I have a little more time.
 

[ktm525]

Having owned an older Tacoma and now driving a Ridgeline for the last three years I feel I have some good insight.

Ride: pavement: RL is much much much better. Ride, handling, braking.
Off road: if this means gravel/dirt road then RL is still leaps and bounds better. In truly nasty stuff the Tacoma is much better. If I am anticipating this terrain I take my LR4 which is better than both.


20 year old KTM prefers the high riding, sports car seat position and buckboard ride Tacoma.

40 year old KTM prefers Riddgeline comfort and ride.


Utility: RL is the winner. The box can handle 48" sheets and can fit three big dirtbikes. Tacoma cannot.

Price: you need to shop around. I got a full load RL out the door for 38.8k.

kTM

[mmret]

I see the ghost of this: (in the lights and the overall boxiness)

[PJ]

12.7 l/100 km isn't great but to be fair the only pick up that would beat it by a noticeable amount would be a base Tacoma 2wd manual 4 cyl.  Maybe the new Dodge 3.0 diesel but that's still unknown. 

I wouldn't buy one but mileage isn't the reason. 

[johngenx]

Tacomas have a cult following among climbers that need a true 4x4 (not a CUV) and the main reason has nothing to do with fuel economy.  It has to do with reliability and the trim size.  The Big Three trucks have grown to huge sizes now and they're difficult to get into tight spots with.

[wing]

Tried to haul a workbench today didn't fit argh!!!!  So frustrating

[KD]

Tried to haul a workbench today didn't fit argh!!!!  So frustrating

Another example of how a utility trailer rules in most cases.  Bonus is the low lift-on height which is a nice feature for heavy and awkward loads.  The RL and utility trailer combo would be ideal for most weekend warriors and light-duty contractors. 

[wing]

Or a bed longer than 4 feet..

[dkaz]

The minivan has much more cargo room anyway and more practical for a suburbanite who's confident in his manhood.

Shots fired!

[Solstice2006]

Not surprised with the fuel economy, I get 12's in the Odyssey, could probably get 11's.  Personally I don't that's too bad, considering the weight, and the AWD..

Crazy how the X5 did better than that. 

I suspect next generation will use the "Earth Dreams" 3.5L, with cylinder deactivation, and some lighter materials, maybe some aluminum in some spots.  Maybe that would be a good investment?  Aluminum is getting used, more and more..

12 foot 2x4's in a RL or any Crew Cab, and your surprised more off the bed, than in the bed?

[blotter]

my dad has the utility trailer with his RL too.

i used the truck last month to pick up an eliptical from Sears.   I really didn't think the box would be so big.
had to drive it home with the tailgate down, good think it was a short drive across town.


my dad still prefers and states that while he'd like the bed to be a foot longer, he'll still use a utility trailer for the majority of the hauling.    He doesn't like the odds to banging the sides of the truck, etc...

[Solstice2006]

my dad has the utility trailer with his RL too.

i used the truck last month to pick up an eliptical from Sears.   I really didn't think the box would be so big.
had to drive it home with the tailgate down, good think it was a short drive across town.


my dad still prefers and states that while he'd like the bed to be a foot longer, he'll still use a utility trailer for the majority of the hauling.    He doesn't like the odds to banging the sides of the truck, etc...

Well when is ready in a couple of years to move on, let me know... Is it black?

[blotter]

my dad has the utility trailer with his RL too.

i used the truck last month to pick up an eliptical from Sears.   I really didn't think the box would be so big.
had to drive it home with the tailgate down, good think it was a short drive across town.


my dad still prefers and states that while he'd like the bed to be a foot longer, he'll still use a utility trailer for the majority of the hauling.    He doesn't like the odds to banging the sides of the truck, etc...

Well when is ready in a couple of years to move on, let me know... Is it black?

 

it's Blue.   Since they're car shopping I keep "double checking" if they're sure they want to keep the RL.
I'll keep you in mind.  My guess is they'll likely sell it in 2 to 3 years.

[wing]

I picked up an elliptical in my LX.  Slid right and closed the door.  Pfff truck bed.

If you are going to need a utility trailer anyways, what's the point of having a bed?

[Solstice2006]

my dad has the utility trailer with his RL too.

i used the truck last month to pick up an eliptical from Sears.   I really didn't think the box would be so big.
had to drive it home with the tailgate down, good think it was a short drive across town.


my dad still prefers and states that while he'd like the bed to be a foot longer, he'll still use a utility trailer for the majority of the hauling.    He doesn't like the odds to banging the sides of the truck, etc...

Well when is ready in a couple of years to move on, let me know... Is it black?

 

it's Blue.   Since they're car shopping I keep "double checking" if they're sure they want to keep the RL.
I'll keep you in mind.  My guess is they'll likely sell it in 2 to 3 years.

That's good timing for me.  At that point, the Odyssey will have served it's purpose.  And at least one of the kids will be in a booster.  The other will be forward facing.  And I would be ready to tow something weighing 3000-3500lbs if necessary.

[Fobroader]

The minivan has much more cargo room anyway and more practical for a suburbanite who's confident in his manhood.

Shots fired!

Not really....you see how awesome it is to try to get topsoil out of you minivan.....or haul a tall tree....or get it loaded with a forklift. No way, minivans are good family cruisers but no way would I take one over my truck for utility.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

[Solstice2006]

The minivan has much more cargo room anyway and more practical for a suburbanite who's confident in his manhood.

Shots fired!

Not really....you see how awesome it is to try to get topsoil out of you minivan.....or haul a tall tree....or get it loaded with a forklift. No way, minivans are good family cruisers but no way would I take one over my truck for utility.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

Depends what you do.  Bell drives around in minivans, not trucks.  Easier for me to put landscape equipment into a van or utility trailer.  When my stairs where being done, the guy had a 2002 Honda Odyssey with all the seats out. 

[johngenx]

I know a couple contractors that used vans, but found the heavy loads quickly destroyed the rear suspensions.

[Solstice2006]

I know a couple contractors that used vans, but found the heavy loads quickly destroyed the rear suspensions.

I can see that, full time contractors that carry a lot of wood, big tools, table saws, compressors should stick with trucks.

Handyman, can use vans.  This guy that did my stairs, only had the railing, the spindles, and treads.  Maybe 200lbs?  If he had passengers the would weight more...

[greengs]

12.7L/100 kms is impressive for any pickup truck in real life. 

Here is what a Tacoma achieved in a recent Autos.ca test

For those too lazy to click, it was 19L/100kms 

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2013-toyota-tacoma-4x4-doublecab-v6/