I don't think many people will pay 38K for a Ridgeline, not when you get a full size truck that gets better mileage with more room. In concept it fits the bill for most people but not at this price when you can get bigger for the same or less.

Lipstick on a pig.

It is a car with the missing trunk lid.

Sales would double if they got rid of that slant bed side and make the tail gate even with the bed sides. It looks decent from the front and drives very nice but as it sits now, it looks like a truck with a bent frame and a tailgate that came off a compact to fit it on a midsize. It's very dis-proportioned.

Its got more ground clearance then a Chevy at least.

It's Honda's version of the El Camino.

"but we know one thing: The Ridgeline is now officially the oldest, unredesigned pickup sold in the U.S., and it is in desperate need of an update."

And ugliest!

Least capable but probably the most comfortable with IRS (never driven one so I can only speculate). I will also speculate that Ram 1500 will be the first full-size to offer IRS.

I think Ford will be the first to offer IRS on a truck, they've had it on the Expedition for years now.

@John, yeah that has crossed my mind a few times.

@John @Alex

IRS on a pickup is a dumb idea.

Example: Test drive a Suburban, then drive a Expedition. The Ford will probably corner better, but the Chevy has a smoother ride and the suspension is MUCH more durable over the life of the vehicle.

IRS adds cost and complexity but adds nothing in the way of functionality. Way more moving parts, things that need careful adjusting and bushing to wear out.

IRS is great for sports cars, but trucks? Not so much.

Papa Jim, I agree but I still think its coming even Heavy hual trucks are starting to use IFS. Trucks/Cars are all getting more complex just look at the Ford EcoBurst motor having two turbos.

@Papa jim - Um, try out your own test, run an Expedition on a bumpy road and then run a Tahoe. IRS provides much more composed handling and better ground clearance. The expedition has had a tow rating of 9,200 lbs for, well, forever, so it's quite durable.

I too have had the feeling that Ford just might release the 2015 F150s with IRS. As long as they kept a rear locker it wouldn't lose any off-road capability, and it would be much easier to add rear steer as an option.

Oh and it does help more with ride then handling, the Ford Mustang still uses a solid rear axle at least until next year.

People said that about coil springs on the Ram 2500, then I went and drove one, and became instantly converted. Not saying I want IRS on my truck, but for most people who carry very little to nothing at all, it makes sense.

I think you have your pros and cons mixed up on cornering vs ride quality. IRS rides better (Camaro), live axle tends to corner better (Mustang). I have driven the Suburban and Expedition, the Expedition rides WAY smoother! I would say the Suburban cornered better.

@alex C'mon man! IRS doesn't corner???

So is that why nobody's had a live axle on an Indy car since the 1950-60s?

Don't take my word for it. Try it.

The IRS is great on the Camaro and the live axle on the Mustang can be MADE to corner well if the driver has a good seat of the pants feel for the throttle.

Don't doubt me on this. Don't hold your breath waiting for HDs to go with IRS.

"The Ridgeline is now officially the oldest, unredesigned pickup sold in the U.S., and it is in desperate need of an update. "

The second part is true, but the first? What about the Nissan Titan, released a full year before the Ridgeline?

@ papa jim: Alex didn't say IRS doesn't corner. He just thought that live axle cornered better. Personally, I would assume that IRS is actually better, but I can't compare, say, my 2002 Mazda Tribute crossover to my father's 2006 F-150 because mine has his beat on nearly all aspects of ride quality and it would be an unfair comparison.

I've always felt a true pickup truck should only have a live axle, to differentiate it from the SUVs (Expedition vs. F-150 or Sequoia vs. Tundra, for example), but if a manufacturer can maintain cargo and towing capacities with IRS, then by all means, go ahead. Just--please--offer a choice between the two, alright? It's bad enough that the manual transmission was limited and limited to death over the last 20 years. Don't go all "you'll drive what we tell you to drive" on us with the live axle too.

@Snapdragon

Independent Rear Suspension is a complex set of links and bushings when compared to a live axle. It's why doing an alignment on an IRS car is so much more complicated.

It's ok for lightweight and low payload vehicles, but there's a good reason why you've never seen an 18 wheeler with an IRS.

And unless I missed it, there hasn't been an Indy 500 since about 1964 with a live axle in the contest. There is a reason for that too.

Sales on Ridgeline are fine. Ridgeline is a filler at Lincoln, Alabama, they run them to keep the plant fully utilized. If there was demand for 100K Ridgeline a year Honda would not have the ability to meet demand.

What's new, they updated the square fender openings. Still can't reach inside bed from the sides.

You get 250 hp for the same mileage as a 4x4 Hemi. What a deal.

@Gregory - that's why I like this site...for bonehead comments like the ones you make. So let me understand this, Honda's doesn't want to sell 100K Ridgeline so that they can use them as a filler for the Lincoln, Alabama plant...lol!

Great maybe if they get lucky and sell fewer civic's they can use those for a "filler" at their Greensburg, Indiana plant! Maybe if they get really lucky and sell fewer Honda Accord's they can use them as "filler's" at the Marysville, Ohio...heeeheeee....it's not like they are in the business of SELLING VEHICLES!

Maybe another option would be to redesign this dinosaur!

Now that Chevy has stopped making Avalanches (Mexico)
there are no full size crew cabs that fit in my garage, and the next choice is the Ridgeline, which Honda will also soon cancel.

@Lou- name calling Troll behavior of yours is childlike and should not be tolerated. Won't sink to your low level.

There is no other Honda plant in North America with assembly line to make trucks other than Lincoln, AL. Greensburg and Marysville are unable to build the Ridgeline.

@Gregory sorry I called you a bonehead...with that response you are actually an IDIOT!

@Gregory - there is a troll still using my name. He got blocked with "Lou" so now he clued in that the site's software isn't pickup up on capitalized "LOU".

Don't answer the guy.

I go by Lou_BC and clicking the link will give you typepad which shows my posts. An entry under fake Lou_BC will not show up on typepad.

GUTS

GLORY

RAM!!!!!!

My wife and I test drove one once. It rode nice and was comfortable. The killer was the huge C pillar, the sloped box rails and the cost of accessories like cargo racks.

"It's ok for lightweight and low payload vehicles, but there's a good reason why you've never seen an 18 wheeler with an IRS.

-------

@papa Jim:
The military has been using IFS/IRS on severe-duty trucks for years. I'm talking about trucks in the 80+k gvw range. If anything, they are expanding their use of trucks with fully independent suspensions. Don't believe me? Visit the Oskhosh truck web site.

Yes, there is a reason you don't see IRS on 18-wheelers on our highways. It has to with conservative, old-fashioned thinking more than anything, and not lack of capability. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" thinking rules the commercial truck market. Hopefully the success of the military's IFS/IRS will eventually trickle down to commercial vehicles.

Well....I like the black paint and tires,other than that its a piece of junk.

3.5 Honda and tranny are the most problematic combinations around.Timing belt and waterpump need changing every 30k just to be safe,plus cracking waterpump housings on the block...Oh my !

Bad gas mileage,slow and UGLY !!

Remember do a burnout daily,its good for the Environment..Just did a 1/2 block long one with no brake holding, in my new toy I bought in the Summer,Cuda 440 6bbl,11 second 1/4 mile monster !! My buddy drove it and at 30 mph he floored it ,car spun,burnt rubber the car turned around facing traffic ! Yeah thats power !! Lukily they all stopped..He sells new Fords,owns a 2013 Shelby 5.8 Mustang so I thought he could handle it ! Both run 11's burning rubber !!

I didn't even know these things were still produced.

@CDN Dodge RAM Owner

"3.5 Honda and tranny are the most problematic combinations around.Timing belt and waterpump need changing every 30k just to be safe,plus cracking waterpump housings on the block...Oh my !"

That is crap.

"Top of the line trim level" is where the money's at.

Everything counts in large amounts.

well I have had one since 2009 and now has 140k on it and changed the timing belt at 105k and did normal changes. Original tires lasted to 109k. Rides great tows my boat fine. Mostly hyw miles but I average about 19 mixed. Yes mpg is about the same but you can buy a new with nav like I have for $33500 out the door. Same truck in any of the three big trucks will cost you 6k more. So that's a huge difference. Looks I have come to like when I did hate it before. Amazing how nice the in bed truck becomes also. I am looking for a new truck now and may go full size but rather have smaller truck with room that drives and handles great. Ridgeline is the only one. I sued to drive only big trucks and it is harder to park more expensive by far to own and takes more garage space I do not have that the ridge fits. That said I still may go with full size this time and see what the new smaller chevy and what Tacoma does if they make a lot more friendly ride and more room truck. And Id love to see 25mpg average. Heck the new diesel ram will get that.

pickup is the ugliest I've seen in my entire life.
my eyes hurt ....

For ride and handling, independent suspension is inherently better. You can dredge up comparisons top show the contrary all you want, but you just cant get around the physics of lower un-sprung weight. Handling will be be better, too, as you can have dynamic camber change. One problem- a truck is a vehicle in which much of the space is allocated to carrying load. An IRS truck will only work well if it has a self leveling suspension. The Ridgeline doesn't (but I think most expeditions do).
Honda has kept the base price almost flat over the model life. What it would need to be competitive:
1. Change the bed design to flat rails to improve styling abd bed capacity.
2. Update the drivetrain to the DI Earthdreams V6 and 6speed auto from the MDX.
3. Rear air bags or leveling shocks standard.
4. Offer a better all-terrain tire and an inch of ride height.

$38K for that????? I'm speechless....

That's a bit too much for a Honda EL Camino. My Bro just bought a new Ram 1500 crew cab Laramie 4X4 for $38K that was discounted $12K.

But IRS in a full-size truck is a horrible idea. Too much camber when loaded, CV joints and weird +/- toe geometry.

@Denver

agree re IRS being wrong for working trucks.

Ditto for the big Ram at 38k, versus the Honda at 35-40k. I test drove the Honda a few years ago and it did not feel like a truck. One of my buddies at work owns one and loves it but it's primarily his wife's grocery-getter.

You didn't mention the powertrain on the new Ram but I'm guessing a hemi, right?

IRS is NOT a good idea on a truck!

You people yappin about the expedition having IRS have OBVIOUSLY NEVER TOWED WITH ONE!!!!! with a 20ft lund behind one its downright SCARY! If they put that crap on the back of an F150 they would need to make some SERIOUS changes for it to tow anything! 9200lbs behind an Expedition is downright STUPID! that vehicle is not designed to do anything like that safely at all!

Tow the same load with an IRS on a Sequoia and it feels GREAT! still its not a good idea on a truck. you build the frame on a truck to have compliance where an SUV frame it rigid. completely different applications....... dont get ahead of yourselves, a live axle is much more stable for towing, period.

I like the Honda Ridgeline overall except as Lou BC the sloping bed rails are a deal breaker. The cab is very roomy and the interior is nice. I do think there are much better trucks for the money, but overall Honda makes very good reliable vehicles. I would much rather have the new Colorado than the Ridgeline.

@ fred the...

"You get 250 hp for the same mileage as a 4x4 Hemi. What a deal."

Yeeeeah but I'd still prefer RL to the recall infested fiat, sure the fiat looks pretty and has power but I trust the Honda more. Can't wait to see what the next RL will be like, if they decide to continue making them, and with these mpg #s the RL should be making the same or better power than the Fix It Again Tony (fiat).

@Mr. Chow--Agree Honda has a solid reputation for making reliable vehicles and motorcycles for 40 years. I am not a big fan of the Ridgeline, but I do not question their reliability. Hondas are pricier than many other vehicles in that they do not negotiate on price, but they are very reliable and retain their value better than most brands.

Paid $29K for 2007 RTS. I've driven it for 291,000+ miles w/o any problems. It ain't pretty, but it's been reliable and has done what I needed it to do. Looks & MPG could be better...but all in all, I can't complain.

My wife and I test "rode" these once. It rode nice and was comfortable. The killer was the huge balls, the sloped bed rails and the cost when I was done (I like big racks). Anyway enough talk here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah_O5K04jmw

Exactly Lou. The interior of the Ridgeline is very spacious and the storage under the bed is a nice touch. A redesign that would get rid of the slopping bed sides would be a big improvement.

Best vehicle I have ever owned..... And I have seriously owned many. To drive a Ridgeline is to love one - it's one of the most practical vehicles on the road today. Can't wait for the redesign, I will buy another .... Maybe two!!!

I think some of you miss the concept, I own an 07 Ridgeline and it's the best vehicle, All wheel drive offers the best all weather driving. It's basically a car that offers many features of a pickup truck.
My 19 year old daughter took my Ridgeline and I cant wait to buy another.
Also don't forget the value Honda retains, a full size Chevy pick up is worth crap after you drive it off the lot, the Ridgeline retains value.

I'd rather wait one more year to buy 2015 Chevrolet Colorado crewcab 4x4, V-6 3.6L.

The Ridgeline isn't a truck, its a car like SUV, front wheel drive, auto 4x4 with traction control. I live in the snow belt area where roads are not plowed with snow drifts and weight of the vehicle and being able to turn off the traction control is a must. With the traction control and 4x4 turned on the traction control will always take control before the 4x4 kicks in and will not always work stopping the wheels from spinning. Traction control is good for the rain but terrible in deep snow. Plus how are you going to haul 30 bundles of shingles and 16 2x6x12 lumber in a Ridgeline?