It's Pilot without the cover.

Still not a truck but a crossover.

It's the future of trucks. Body on frame will die and be replaced by this type.

Grandpa and Grandma truck

it's a minivan with a chainsaw haircut. Waiting for a 2019 Ford Ranger/Bronco.

How about putting some real weight in the "truck"! They want it to be considered a pickup truck right?

"But upon fill-up, our pump — which was problem free the first time around — developed a habit of clicking off every few gallons. We repositioned the nozzle several times to no avail, then abandoned the effort when it stopped for the umpteenth time at 16.651 gallons. "

Sounds like a problem with the pump...and not a good one at that. I hoped you kept an eye on the pump display, because I usually run into that same problem, and the numbers keep running for a few seconds after the fuel stops. I bring this to the attention of the station operators around my home area, and they usually deduct the additions for me so I don't pay extra.

I once showed this to one station manager and he said that was perfectly legal. I told him it was not, and he got angry with me and threatened to sue me if I reported it to the authorities. so I notified the Attorney General's office and the Alabama Tax Commission (which regulates gas pumps in the state) about the pump situation and the station manager's threat to sue me if I reported it, and they sent investigators to check it out. After they got their evidence, they fined the manager and store operator and put them out of business.

@huhuh

So can you imagine a unibody 10 ton dump? Seriously, body on frame construction has its place in the truck kingdom.

It's payload ranks with the best of the mid-size, and close to full-size (and more than twice the Raptor's payload!).

The Ridgeline gets a lot of grief for its "low" 5000lb tow rating, but you can't sneeze at its payload capacity. I use a truck more for hauling than for towing, so it suits me fine, and if I towed more than 5k, I'd be using a half-ton or larger anyway.

For those of you calling this a minivan, if Honda can put these kinds of capabilities in a "minivan", then traditional truck mfrs should be thoroughly embarassed.

It also rates the best mid-size V6 fuel economy AND best mid-size performance (0-60; quarter-mile).

In my opinion, the Ridgeline is, for many of us, the most-suitable all-around mid-size truck. I think Honda has a hit here.

Am I the only reader who thinks their fuel measurement methods are lame?

If you are only checking mileage over a short distance -- like the intervals in this story -- you need a precise way to assure that fuel is measured with some precision.

How about some NASCAR style fuel cans? Even the 5 gallon plastic cans will at least allow you to be sure that the vehicle's intake is accurate.

A Ridgeline 4' 11.5" long box at top is 4.96' long. Multiply that by sqrt 2, for a square box, gives the diagonal of 7.0'. So that piece of wood in photo is 8' long. A Colorado long box is:
Box length at floor 74.0" (72" at top)
Inside width at floor 57.8"
gives a diagonal of 93.9"=7.82'=sqrt [sq(74") + sq(57.8")].
Goes to show that one can't run down to the hardware store and fit an 8' (2x4) in a midsizer's box these days diagonally without always having to put extra thought into tying things down. What else can't we fit? For just an extra 2.5" more length in the Colorado box we'd be diagonally at 95.9"=8.0'=sqrt [sq(76.5") + sq(57.8")] and fit a bunch of standard 8' 2x4's in the box without having to tie down, or put down the tailgate, or move up to a full size.

For measuring MPG, this article might raise a few eyebrows:
http://m.wardsauto.com/blog/when-it-comes-mileage-cars-tell-truth

@Angelo, if you put that 2x4 in the lower portion of the Edge line's bed, it can be 87" long...

It's not the truck that I would want to buy but it looks better than the old one. Yes it's nit a traditional body on frame truck but it has a truck shape. In my opinion is its a truck.
It's kind of like calling a sedan a wagon.

My full size Ram 1500 Quad cab 3.6 V6 gets the same or better milage.

@papajim

This will be my next truck. I love unibodies. You got a problem with that?

The Canyon Duramax gets 28 mpg average, same payload , higher towing capacity and a frame. With an engine that can tow much bettter. I like the new Ridgeline, but they need a diesel to even come close to the fuel numbers the Canyon diesel is getting. Hiwy trips the new diesel is getting high 30's mpg.

I remember using my '11 Ridgeline to haul wood, cinder blocks, furniture, and other stuff around. Hell, I used my Subaru Baja for hay bales to my ranch (admittedly it was only about 4-5 bales). While I'm not knocking body-on-frame (I also drove an F-150 which I loved), the Ridgeline did the jobs I needed it to do. For me and a lot of others, it's all the truck that's needed. So why can't we all just get along...neck?
BTW...they don't get much more fun than a turbo Baja on the beach.

No reason to buy a truck like that with that kind of mileage. I don't get the "I only need this, so this is what I should get" mentality. You only need capri pants on a warmish day, but you don't buy them and wear them as a man. Nobody buys a corvette or Harley for need. Live a little and buy something that does not make you look like a dork. No man should drive this vehicle. I'd say it is a good step up for the "Subaru" cropped haircut folks though.

@Jeff S

The Ridgeline has been available for about 10 years now. During that time you've been driving an Isuzu-Chevy that is objectively one of the worst-rated trucks ever.

How long will you wait to get your "next" truck?

There is NO Honda out there that makes a good climate control system, not enough heat in the winter and not enough AC in the summer.
Honda takes away the engine power for a good climate control and uses that power back to the engine to make it better in fuel efficiency.
If you don't mind freezing in the winter and keeping the windows down in the summer then you'll like the Honda.
You cannot control the 4x4 in the Ridgeline, there is not switch but the front wheel drive traction control will always kick in long before the 4x4 does, you're at the mercy with the driveline.
It's simply a Pilot with a bed

Keep this in mind GM, Ford and Dodge fans...Honda manufactures a product that doesn't break...put gas and oil in them and they continue to run...

Keep this in mind GM, Ford and Dodge fans...Honda manufactures a product that doesn't break...put gas and oil in them and they continue to run...
Posted by: Rich | Feb 4, 2017 8:21:12 AM

Uh if that's the case, then why is their Honda repair manuals just like every other auto manufacturer. I mean if they don't break shouldn't need to produce a repair manuals, have TBS's, and recalls.

Typical watered down liberal truck wanna-be for millennials that do not know what work is!

@ oxi,

Same with Ford they are Liberal Muslim loving and against the immigration ban...Furthemore,Henry Ford was a Nazi and was buddies with Hitler..

Ford is a Muslim Truck,GM,RAM are not..I would go with Toyota as well because the Japanese don't allow any Mosques or Muslims ,well they had or still may have a few but can only so-called pray in their own home ! So,I like Toyota lol..

If you don't like it - don't buy it. But don't bad mouth it. I for one have had Ridgelines since 2006 and love them

@Ford Anti American

It might surprise you to know how many Americans were members of the Communist Party, and Nazi groups back in the day. Many of our grandfathers were in the Klan but folks don't like to admit it now. The woman who founded Planned Parenthood believed in aborting the babies of dark-skinned folks and was not shy about discussing it.

One of America's most fondly remembered presidents (FDR) refused to grant asylum to a ship full of European Jews who were only looking for a way to avoid going back to France and facing the Nazis. Churchill did the very same.

None of us is perfect. Be fair to the memory of Henry Ford--he built an industry that made life better for many millions of Americans.

Hey, Mark and Kelsey - - -

"...Ridgeline still boasts a degree of ride composure its truck-based competitors seldom achieve..."

Who the hell cares? I don't want a "car like" ride universally, as some reviewers have gushed about with this Ridgeline.

If I get a truck, I want it to ride stiff and tough, like a truck: it's part of the ambiance.

If I get a Jeep Wrangler, I want it to ride bouncy and choppy, like a Jeep should: it's part of the ambiance.

If I get a sports car, I want it to ride firm and harsh, like a sports cars on the track: it's part of the ambiance.

If I buy a Lincoln Continental, I want it to ride soft and cushy, like my living room couch: it's part of the ambiance.

Get the picture?

====================

@puddycat; see, this is where I have an advantage...I already know that I'm a man and so does everyone around me. So, I guess that gives me the freedom to drive whatever I want and not have to worry about what the wussies think.

I drive 1/2 and 3/4-ton trucks at work, and have done so for the last 20 years. Before that, it was trucks/tractors on the farm. I know what I'm getting into with the Ridgeline. I could go buy any old truck I wanted to, but I like the Ridgeline because it offers so much more. It can haul/pull what I need to, and still ride/drive like a luxury sport car. It has, by far, the best utility of any mid-size truck.

You hang on to your attitude, though. That's the kind of attitude that Ford needs to stay #1!

A couple of questions for the Author, here:

How many total miles are on the truck now?
Do you know if the transmission is programmable and has the ability to 'learn' the owner's driving habits?

The reason I ask is that, while not a truck in the truest sense, my most recent acquisition, purchased brand new in October, does have such a transmission and the change in its shifting patterns has become noticeable, along with some new tweaks of which I had no idea was programmed in.

When I purchased it, I felt that the transmission tended to cruise at an RPM below the most economical for the load, causing the engine to sound like it's on the verge of lugging on the flat. With any slight grade, the transmission refused to downshift until RPMs dropped below 1500. That was three months ago and the average fuel economy ran about 21 in town and just over 27 on the highway.

Of course, my driving style had me pressing on the pedal enough to force a downshift or two to maintain speed and the transmission has learned from me. Today it still cruises at between 1600-1800 revs on the flat but now it downshifts within seconds of recognizing a change in load, almost never letting the revs drop below 1600. But more, the downshifts are sequential and delay long enough to truly determine whether it needs to downshift again rather than the older systems that had a bad habit of downshifting too far and 'hunting' for the proper gear; it drives more like there's a hand actually on the shift lever manually choosing the best gear without dropping too far. The tach almost never goes over 2500 revs unless I'm actually demanding power of it with my foot on the floor. Even then, it downshifts smoothly and quickly to the best gear for power without over-revving the engine. My fuel economy has improved to where I'm achieving near 23mpg 'mixed' and over 28 highway.

I'm wondering if the Ridgeline you drove is learning how to get better economy the longer you drive it?

"So can you imagine a unibody 10 ton dump? Seriously, body on frame construction has its place in the truck kingdom."
--- Posted by: papajim | Feb 3, 2017 3:10:31 PM

But not necessarily in a suburban driveway. There is a time and place for everything and any more the pickup truck has become far too much vehicle in capability and price to be anything but a true working truck OR a status symbol. People used to drive Cadillacs as status symbols but look at where Cadillac is now. They've been replaced by overpriced luxe-trucks that never haul anything but passengers and air.

Honda has their own 10 speed automatic in the new 2018 Honda Odyssey minivan, hopefully that will show up in the 2018 Ridgeline.

I don't see the issue of a unibody pickup. There are unibody SUVs and vans. Hell, the Ford Transit is unibody, the Jeep Comanche was unibody with a removable box, the Ram Promaster is unibody with FRONT WHEEL DRIVE! Yes, there are the few that will hold on to hard (body-on-frame) SUVs, trucks and vans, but only those who do most serious towing and hauling and off-roading. I, for one, would like to see greater diversity in car offerings. My only quip is that the Ridgeline could get pricey really fast, but it is a nice trucklet otherwise.

Uh if that's the case, then why is their Honda repair manuals just like every other auto manufacturer. I mean if they don't break shouldn't need to produce a repair manuals, have TBS's, and recalls.
Posted by: johnny doe | Feb 4, 2017 8:51:35 AM

Exactly I bought the most expensive Honda snowblower and its a pile of crap. Track doesn't drive on one side and they don't make the part that is broken. It's also had a recall for gas leak and its leaked 3 times and hasn't been fixed. Biggest pile of crap Honda is. Neighbor also had a CRV that went up in flames.

@Longboat. @Roadwhale, @Rich, @Johnny Doe, @oxi
Honda quality superior? I used to think so, but after I inherited my dad's 1992 Accord that he baby'd, and I had to replace the front axles because of clanking sound when going around turns at ~30mph, distributor, and ABS component, I know NO manufacturer is exempt from quality issues! You might get lucky from time to time. And that's from someone who's owned Mazda trucks, BMW E30 M3, Honda Prelude, and proud of fact that I do all the work myself. I mean come on, a Honda distributor going out at 93kmiles from a bad bearing. Mazda 4 speed manual trany always going bad from main input shaft bearings at ~70-80kmiles. So sometimes manufacturers design in a bad bearing, and that's it for that generation.

Obviously, people have different likes and needs and the diversity of opinions show it. I've said it before. I went to look at the Honda Ridgeline, and when I saw the box, I immediately thought "geez it looks bigger in the pictures", so I'll pass because I'm in no rush, and really prefer a longer box. At least they are bringing something new to the market so the big 3 can't sit on their laurels and not realize that not all customers are the same.

@oxi Ridgeline is watered down for a market demographic that really doesn't do hard work. In Silicon Valley I've met a ton of programmers and foreigners who don't do a lot of physical hard work, so in a way, the Ridgeline is watered down just enough to get them to make the leap from their SUV to a midsize thing with a box out back.

1992 Honda Accord 4sp automatic downshifts at snails pace! At least things have improved from them days.

87" piece of wood from from Edge. Your talking about an SUV.?

@Angelo, that was the stupid autocorrect on my phone that changed Ridgeline to Edge. The Ridgeline box is 5'4" below the lip on top (like many other truck beds).

One thing to keep in mind if you're using your truck for work...most work trucks have a toolbox in the bed that takes up a lot of bed space. Ridgeline's toolbox is already built-in, so you don't lose bed space. And the bed is a lot tougher than other trucks, including half-tons. Just more stuff to think about.

My 2002 Accord is still running strong, do all maintenance myself. It had an airbag recall (fixed for free in 2015) and the dash clock light bulb burns out every 50k (but I've replaced it with an LED now). No other problems ( it has a manual trans).

Most work trucks do not have a tool box. What a stupid assumption.

@papa jim--That was not me. I never said I was buying a Honda Ridgeline or any new truck at the present time. I know how much you hate Isuzu but I have had very good service out of mine and with low miles I will be driving it for many more years. You have talked about getting a Suburban, why have you not bought one especially if your wife is driving a BMW? If I were buying a new truck I would go for the Base or WT Colorado with the 6 speed manual, it is all I need or want and it is about the only truck offered with a manual.

@papa jim--I would never base a purchase on others likes or dislikes. I have never even met you nor do I have a burning desire to ever meet you. The more you dislike my Isuzu the more I like it. Did you you my Isuzu is basically a Colorado which is a Chevrolet which is a GM? If you hate Chevy so much why don't you drive a Ford or Nissan? Maybe your senility is kicking in.

Hey Jeff S

don't get your shorts in a knot buddy, but you have to admit the consensus on the first gen Colorados and their cousings was that they were already obsolete when the came out.

GM and Isuzu starting developing those trucks about 1995 and by the time GM got it to market in 2004 it was old hat.

@papa jim--You have not even seen my Isuzu. It is very nice black crew cab 4x4 , heated leather seats, tow package, and over all very nice. Far from being a piece of junk. You would be the last person on this site that I would take a recommendation from. I will not lower myself to dis you vehicle but you seem to thrive on it. I am not going to dis anyone's choice of a vehicle. As for obsolete you seem to fit in that category yourself.

@Jeff S

Check at Edmonds.com or at Consumer Reports.

If it makes you feel better let's agree that yours was one of the few error-free trucks they made.

The Atlas family of GM engines (4, 5, and 6 cylinder) were all allowed to pass into the history books within less than ten years of their introduction. GM no longer even makes the 5.3 that a few of the Colorados and Canyons were available with.

GM dealers could not wait to get the taste out of their mouth.

@papa jim--That might be true but if the prior generation of Colorado/Canyon was such as bad vehicle then why are so many still on the road. You can argue about ratings but how many vehicles in the past 10 plus years are really bad. If you want to go back to a time of really bad vehicles then you need to look at the Malaise Era of vehicles which was from 1973 thru 1983. Even if a vehicle is not on the top list of Consumer Reports or Edmonds it does not mean it is a bad vehicle. Should one just buy what others tell them to buy based on others likes or dislikes. Should one tell others that only 400 hp V-8 crew cab pickups made by GM are the only reliable vehicles and that if you own a Ford or Ram then you are stupid and worthless. This site has become a fan boy site full of immature comments that are best described as grade school conduct. Maybe you do this but I am not going to go across the street and call my neighbors new EcoBoost aluminum body F-150 a piece of junk and ridicule him for buying it when he is proud of it. Same thing can be said of another neighbor with a Ram or a Silverado. I am also not going to use anonymity to denigrate someone's choice.

As for the Honda Ridgeline it might not fit my needs but I have no doubt that it is a reliable and solid vehicle. I myself would not buy the first model year of any vehicle that has been completely redesigned or that is completely new. That is based on my own experience. The 2008 Isuzu I-370/I-280/Colorado/Canyon is much better than the 2004 which was the first model year. That is not to say it is perfect but it can take a few years to iron out bugs with production and components. By 2012 the Colorado/Canyon although dated was a much better truck than its 2004 version.

As for I-5s, I-4s, and I-6s most are for the most part much more reliable than they were in the previous generations. In the 60s and 70s for the most part if you wanted to run an engine for over 100k miles without a major overhaul or replacement you needed a V-8. Just because a vehicle is in a straight configuration and not a V one does not make it any less reliable. BMW has for years had a straight 6 engine that has been powerful and with a long life. Volvo has used I-5s for years. The V-6 first made popular in the 60's by Buick and GMC has become a staple for many manufacturers replacing the V-8. Mercedes Benz itself is working on a new generation of I-6s.

The best vehicle is the one that meets an individuals needs and wants and one that satisfies that person. Most any vehicle can be reliable if properly maintained and most any vehicle can become a steaming pile of junk if abused and not properly maintained. Even a Toyota can become a piece of junk if abused and not maintained. Any mechanical device is subject to deterioration and most are made by human beings which are far from being perfect. Automation has improved quality of manufactured products by lowering defects and bringing more consistent quality but even automation cannot guarantee a completely perfect and flawless product.

@Jeff S

Your arguments always move from the objective to the subjective.

When you lose on the facts of an argument you go to the logical extreme and suggest that a person's subjective standards (or their wishes?) are equal or greater than the objective presentation of (verifiable and) objective reality.

It's an objective fact that the Atlas engines were nearly obsolete by the time GM put them in showrooms. It's also and objective fact that the family of trucks and SUVs that GM co-developed back in the 1990s were competitive designs in 1996 but had fallen far behind the pack by 2004.

The only reason that Ford and Ram were able to continue selling Dakotas and Rangers after 2004 was because the GM mid size SUVs and pickups sucked out loud.

@papa jim--You are a fine one to call someone subjective. Maybe the engines were obsolete but just because something is obsolete doesn't make it bad You are one of the most opinionated and biased commenter on this site. You cannot even admit that everyone is different and has different likes. You are for the most part subjective and you have little empathy for others. I never have told others what to buy or endorsed any brand. You on the other hand have let it be known that you dislike Fords, Rams, and any truck smaller than a half ton. We all know that you hate this Ridgeline and hate anything that is different than a Silverado. Unibody construction has its positives and negatives and in a truck like the Ridgeline it works and most who buy the Ridgeline are probably not going to buy a Silverado, F-150, or Ram and vice versa is true. If you think I am going to get rid of a perfectly good vehicle based on you opinion, Edmunds, Consumer Reports, or anyone else then you are mistaken. Unlike you I will keep what I have for many years until either it is too old, too unreliable, or I no longer need it.

As for obsolete your Silverado was obsolete when it was introduced especially since Ford has developed newer more competitive engines and has been using aluminum. That is not to say your Silverado is a bad vehicle but if you are going on the basis of getting rid of something because it is outdated then you should get rid of your Silverado. Your 2009 Silverado doesn't have rear backup camera, 4 disc brakes, and probably doesn't have head and side airbags. Since you propose that you are so objective then you need to follow your own advice.

There are many reasons why people buy a particular brand of anything and mostly it is not for purely objective and rational reasons. Did your wife buy a BMW for purely objective reasons? Do you always buy based on rational and objective reasons? I doubt you are as objective and perfect as you think you are. Your comments lack any kind of insight, depth, or understanding of others. I admit I have my own biased and that I am far from perfect but I do not deliberately put others down or ridicule their choices. Since you are so perfect maybe you need to enter politics and make America Great Again. I don't dislike you because of your different opinions but I dislike you because you because you always think you are right and that if others don't completely agree with you then they must be wrong. It would be very boring if everyone had the same opinion.

@Jeff S

I like to stay with measurements and facts in these discussions. In fact I'd recommend it.

I admit that it's occasionally fun to tweek some unstable guy like BAFO aka Willy and the half dozen other constantly emerging I.D.s he uses, largely because he's such a fringe head case that he might go into orbit over it and develop yet another personality for his collection.

That's not very Christian of me but at least I admit it.

@Jeff S

I like to stay with measurements and facts in these discussions. In fact I'd recommend it.

I admit that it's occasionally fun to tweek some unstable guy like BAFO aka Willy and the half dozen other constantly emerging I.D.s he uses, largely because he's such a fringe head case that he might go into orbit over it and develop yet another personality for his collection.

That's not very Christian of me but at least I admit it.

@Longboat. Maybe my last post was removed because I was too verbous, but I hear you on bed length measurement technique. I like to measure from the top of bed since I think that really is the only fair way to compare. Anyway I measured Ridgelines twice, on two different Saturday, to make sure my measuring tape wasn't screwy. 4' 11.5" is what I got. I want to know what I can fit in a bed without lowering tailgate because then that entails tying things down n what not. I see it has a built in tool box trunk, but at the expense of being shallow, and God forbid one forgets to remove the spare tire before loading up with rocks or dirt, and then gets a flat. That would be a real bad situation. But Honda has improved on things which ensures competition keeps trying to add value. That dual swing tailgate can be helpful.

So for 3ish MPG less and 4ish K more I can still get a real half ton fullsized truck with real 4x4 that has a real bed and can really tow, has more interior room, and more power? But I don't want any of that I want a Pilot without the 3rd row and dry secure storage, because, um, uh, it gets like a whopping 3 more mpg and I make alotta Uturns and have trouble parking real trucks.

With all this back and forth between Jeff S. and papjim, I need to add a couple things. The first gen of the S10-S15 Chevy GMC trucks had their shortcomings, but there were and still are a few running around with lots of miles! The second gen was improved and yes there are lots of them still running around! I have owned 2 of the first, but none of the second. But I do now own a new Colorado Z71, V6 4x4 ext cab that is great! I can tow my travel trailer without sweat, and get decent mileage to boot! try 12-14 in the mountains, and 15-16 hyw with the cc set, and that is with a 4,000 trailer in tow! empty I get 18 city and 26 hyw, on a trip very similar to the one above I am able to bet about 24mpg easy! On one trip, with my Sportster in the bed (560lbs), all my gear for a week, the trailer all loaded for a week, I was able to go up in the mountain of NH, and on the trip I averaged 12 mpg, which I consider very good! I do not believe you could get away with that in the Ridgeline. I now cant wait for the ZR2 to come out!

Oh yea one more thing, I was able to find mine for just $30,005! with the factory tow package, and the Chevy MyLink 8" screen with Navigation and Bose Speakers. the Z71 comes with heated seats and climate control, hill decent control and the tow package gets you the Tow/Haul feature and auto locking rear diff., that works very well! The truck is a blast on toad and off! all Ive had to do is take the low hanging air dam off the front end. I am going to get a K&N CAI soon and a load distribution anti sway hitch, just for more peace of mind.

@Clint, some of us want a mid-size truck for other reasons. For me, it is being able to fit it in my garage in my 50-year-old house. If it were full-size, I'd have to park outside, and either get pine tar on the truck, or put a cover over it every day, not to mention hassles of sub-zero wx, scraping ice/snow, accelerated depreciation, etc., I much prefer garaging my vehicles.

When you go into a convenience store and buy a soda, do you buy the 20oz. for $1.75 that will fit your cup holder, or do you buy that 2-liter that's on sale for $1.29? The 2-liter is obviously the better value, but it is not always the most convenient.

Yes, mid-sized are generally overpriced compared to full-size and capabilities. Yet, the market is very hot for them right now. It's not always about the money.