What's Wrong With This Picture: Where The Wind Hits Heavy On The Ridgeline Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Pickuptrucks.com‘s Mike Levine snapped this shot of Honda’s NAIAS booth, indicating that the Motor Company might not be quite as proud of its unibody truck as it once was. Ridgeline sold 16,464 units last year, less than half of its 2008 volume. Honda’s Alabama plant, where the Ridgeline is assembled alongside the Pilot, saw its output drop 35 percent in 2009. Having tried the unibody option that so many formerly truck-dependent firms now see as an alternative to body-on-frame offerings, it seems doubtful that Honda would recommend it to any of them. When it comes to the truck market, there are no easy answers.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Syke Syke on Jan 14, 2010

    I'm not surprise. At my job, we call those things "Brokeback Pickups". Much to the discontent of the two guys who own them (one a retired Marine).

  • Jaje Jaje on Jan 14, 2010

    People need to get off their high horse of what they think a "truck" needs to be. 80% of "truck" owners never use them for their maximum intended use. It simply hauls a lightweight boat or some jet-skis and snowmobiles on small trailers, goes to home depot to get some lumber or shop vacs, and maybe had to hop the curb to park in the grass at their kids soccer game...it then spends the rest of the time on the road, hauling nothing but a single occupant parent to / from work, school. In fact, one of the most popular contractor replacement of their 1/2 ton real "trucks" have been used minivans! I'm not defending the Ridgeline b/c it falls short for what it should be (or could be)...low mpg light truck (with diesel it should be quite fuel efficient - but alas Honda has ignored diesels in search of its failed hybrid strategy). The Ridgeline does what most "truck" owners need it to do...but nothing more. It just doesn't convey that macho image a real "truck" does which Honda could have styled it much better to overcome that stigma.

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    • Srogers Srogers on Jan 14, 2010

      I used to have the perception that Honda was the 'king of fuel economy' - they sure have dropped the ball on that one!

  • Rday Rday on Jan 14, 2010

    I have a ridge too. It is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. Mileage is about average for a awd pickup. Wish it was better and that it would tow a larger trailer, but what it does, it does very well. And is a pleasure to drive. I think it is alot of truck for the price and is not cheap enough for many truck buyers/users. If they could get better mileage it would be even better. Right now I don't see any truck that I would replace it with. So I will keep driving it and pay the gas bill. It is a real sports truck and people that enjoy driving a safe handling, extremely reliable truck will really enjoy this vehicle. I hope Honda will keep it in their product line.

  • CUINCT CUINCT on Jan 15, 2010

    Personally not a fan of styling, the rear looks too weird for me. I suppose that is aerodynamics at work behind the C-pillar...

    • Toasty Toasty on Apr 14, 2010

      The C-pillar section is likely a load bearing member, just like the stainless steel "sports bars" on a Subaru Baja. A few improvements could save the Ridgeline, but I doubt any will happen. 1. Restyle it. The market for Buck Roger's pickup is too small. A the very least, copy the Baja's sports bars. 2. Improve fuel economy. It can be done, so do it already. Toss in a diesel option, too. 3. Add a two-speed transfer case option. It'd increase the utility of the truck. If Honda did all three and kept making small improvements over time, the Ridgeline could make it. If not, best to kill it now.

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