Latest New Ridgeline spy shots..

[andrewg]

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/17/honda-ridgeline-spy-shots/#slide-3706930

Kind of hard to make a judgement call with that crazy camouflaged pattern.

But apparently, this is the new Honda Ridgeline.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Chevrolet Traverse with a pickup bed and timing belt.

 

[Nick1994]

I agree Miller88

It looks like a minivan with a truck bed. Stupid.

I guess mom can drive the kids to soccer practice with their soccer balls in the back.

 

[IndyIan]

It seems they stuck with the unibody and independent rear suspension. I won't comment on the shape, although practically speaking, a lot of people could use a minivan with a pickup bed.
No low range I assume again?

 

[supton]

Will wait and see what it looks like without the cameo. Curious that they squared off the bed; the current Ridgeline has a sloping bedrail, which I'm not sure how it worked out in usage. This has a flat bed rail for... some reason. Squared off now, between bed and cab. I like the topper/camper shell/bed cap/whatever you want to call it, and I wonder if this bed rail change was meant to accommodate it better?

 

[opus1]

Minivan with a pickup bed? It's been done...

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
It seems they stuck with the unibody and independent rear suspension. I won't comment on the shape, although practically speaking, a lot of people could use a minivan with a pickup bed.
No low range I assume again?


I kinda like the idea myself, and gave thought to a Ridgeline (before going Tundra).

I haven't had a use for low range in my truck though. Not saying I don't want it, but I suspect Honda figures it's just plain not necessary. Am guessing the torque convertor is slippery enough for the light off-road usage that this thing might get.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
I agree Miller88

It looks like a minivan with a truck bed. Stupid.

I guess mom can drive the kids to soccer practice with their soccer balls in the back.

So what is more ridiculous...a mom (or dad) driving the kids to soccer practice in a Ridgeline.....or arriving with the kids in a Ford F-250 4x4 that has never seen a full capacity load, pulled heavy trailer, or has a scratch on it??

I have a Ridgeline...and LOVE it. It halls everything I need it to haul extremely well and handles snow, ice, and slippery boat ramps with ease. It also has fantastic seating and endless practicality.

You know, why is it that you and others always seem to feel it necessary to be so nasty whenever a Ridgeline is mentioned? It's pathological. I could post a wimpy little 4-banger Toyota pickup (which I actually like in some ways) from the early '90's and the people on hear will be full of praise.

Just odd.

 

[Hokiefyd]

For the most part, I don't post Ridgeline stuff on here, either. For some reason, it's such a polarizing vehicle. I'm not sure why that is. I never have figured out why or how someone can harbor so much dislike for an inanimate object.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
It seems they stuck with the unibody and independent rear suspension. I won't comment on the shape, although practically speaking, a lot of people could use a minivan with a pickup bed.
No low range I assume again?


I kinda like the idea myself, and gave thought to a Ridgeline (before going Tundra).

I haven't had a use for low range in my truck though. Not saying I don't want it, but I suspect Honda figures it's just plain not necessary. Am guessing the torque convertor is slippery enough for the light off-road usage that this thing might get.

I'm sure most 4x4 pickups never get put in low range other that to try it once.
I think a lot of the dislike for the Ridgeline is its built for what the "average" use is for a light duty pickup. But light duty pickups are sold because they offer more capability, even if its never or rarely used.
In theory the Ridgeline would do everything I need to do, but I like to play a little offroad, so I'll get something with low range.

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
I agree Miller88

It looks like a minivan with a truck bed. Stupid.

I guess mom can drive the kids to soccer practice with their soccer balls in the back.

So what is more ridiculous...a mom (or dad) driving the kids to soccer practice in a Ridgeline.....or arriving with the kids in a Ford F-250 4x4 that has never seen a full capacity load, pulled heavy trailer, or has a scratch on it??

I have a Ridgeline...and LOVE it. It halls everything I need it to haul extremely well and handles snow, ice, and slippery boat ramps with ease. It also has fantastic seating and endless practicality.

You know, why is it that you and others always seem to feel it necessary to be so nasty whenever a Ridgeline is mentioned? It's pathological. I could post a wimpy little 4-banger Toyota pickup (which I actually like in some ways) from the early '90's and the people on hear will be full of praise.

Just odd.
I don't have a problem with Ridgelines and I don't talk trash about them on here. I like the older ones (like yours). I'm saying I don't like this new one because it looks like a Honda Odyssey with a bed, I think it looks pretty ridiculous.

 

[supton]

heh, I did try it... once. Nice gear growl. Haven't used it since.

Ridgeline is pretty close to what I'd like to have, and had I lived in a city I might have gone that way. Minivan comes close, but I do like having the walled off bed area that has no carpet. 4WD though I'd like to have: RWD in snow sucks, and a rear-heavy FWD (like a minivan) is going to be just as annoying. The Ridgeline would definitely have the upper hand for me over a part-time system.

Will see what the finished product looks like.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
For the most part, I don't post Ridgeline stuff on here, either. For some reason, it's such a polarizing vehicle. I'm not sure why that is. I never have figured out why or how someone can harbor so much dislike for an inanimate object.


Yes...it's more than predictable. Always the side comment about a minivan (although I believe the Ridgeline...even more so with the new one...shares more in common with the Pilot SUV). It will not have a true low gear for the 4x4 mode....but it will be lower geared than the first model and it will have more torque and horsepower. The new drive system will be called the i-VTM4 and be even more capable than the current Ridgeline.
The negativity toward this vehicle is unfounded. I don't go make fun of guys that buy huge trucks FAR more capable then they would ever use...it's not my business and I personally like all different types of vehicle anyway. Why knock a decent pickup like the Ridgeline?? Do they feel threatened by it....or just want to say that being a real man means you drive a vehicle heavier duty that what you need? I haven't a clue.
I have the money and financial ability to afford any pickup on the market. I just have ZERO need for a highly capable monster. I've had a big truck....probably used it to it's limits maybe...once?

Anyway...I posted the photo link for those that may be interested in seeing what the new one will look like.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: supton
heh, I did try it... once. Nice gear growl. Haven't used it since.

Ridgeline is pretty close to what I'd like to have, and had I lived in a city I might have gone that way. Minivan comes close, but I do like having the walled off bed area that has no carpet. 4WD though I'd like to have: RWD in snow sucks, and a rear-heavy FWD (like a minivan) is going to be just as annoying. The Ridgeline would definitely have the upper hand for me over a part-time system.

Will see what the finished product looks like.


For what it's worth to you, my current model Ridge has been the very best 4x4 type system I've ever driven. Period. Even off-road it functions very well. Certainly not a rock-crawler or a 4x4 that can hang with the more serious off-road vehicles though. But...on the road...in snow? Extremely sure footed.

I would trust the new one will be even better.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: supton
heh, I did try it... once. Nice gear growl. Haven't used it since.

Ridgeline is pretty close to what I'd like to have, and had I lived in a city I might have gone that way. Minivan comes close, but I do like having the walled off bed area that has no carpet. 4WD though I'd like to have: RWD in snow sucks, and a rear-heavy FWD (like a minivan) is going to be just as annoying. The Ridgeline would definitely have the upper hand for me over a part-time system.

Will see what the finished product looks like.


For what it's worth to you, my current model Ridge has been the very best 4x4 type system I've ever drive. Even off-road it functions very well. Certainly not a rock-crawler or a 4x4 that can hang with the more serious off-road vehicles though. But...on the road...in snow? Extremely sure footed.

I would trust the new one will be even better.


I believe you. My Tundra ranks as the worst snow vehicle I've had. Ok, it's hard to remember what an Astrovan or an Isuzu Pup was like--but I suspect they were at least on par, and possibly better. In some ways I kinda look forward to when I trade out of it in a few years.

 

[DuckRyder]

You really can't even tell what it looks like.

FWIW judging by the roof, atleast part of the sail behind the rear door/window is fake... they usually do that when there is something distinctive.

Head lamp covered up, unless you just have an inherent bias, you can't see enough to like it or not...

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: supton
heh, I did try it... once. Nice gear growl. Haven't used it since.

Ridgeline is pretty close to what I'd like to have, and had I lived in a city I might have gone that way. Minivan comes close, but I do like having the walled off bed area that has no carpet. 4WD though I'd like to have: RWD in snow sucks, and a rear-heavy FWD (like a minivan) is going to be just as annoying. The Ridgeline would definitely have the upper hand for me over a part-time system.

Will see what the finished product looks like.


For what it's worth to you, my current model Ridge has been the very best 4x4 type system I've ever drive. Even off-road it functions very well. Certainly not a rock-crawler or a 4x4 that can hang with the more serious off-road vehicles though. But...on the road...in snow? Extremely sure footed.

I would trust the new one will be even better.


I believe you. My Tundra ranks as the worst snow vehicle I've had. Ok, it's hard to remember what an Astrovan or an Isuzu Pup was like--but I suspect they were at least on par, and possibly better. In some ways I kinda look forward to when I trade out of it in a few years.


Really? That surprises me.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
You really can't even tell what it looks like.

FWIW judging by the roof, atleast part of the sail behind the rear door/window is fake... they usually do that when there is something distinctive.

Head lamp covered up, unless you just have an inherent bias, you can't see enough to like it or not...


You're right...but for now it's the best available spy shots out there.

It will be revealed very soon anyway.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Most don't know that the Ridgeline actually shares little with the Odyssey platform. Most don't know that it (like the Pilot and MDX) has a box-section frame that runs front to rear that is actually a rolling frame if you (somehow) separate it from the body.

If you crawl under one, you can see the boxed frame rails. It's torsionally much stronger than a body-on-frame vehicle, because the body and frame are WELDED to each down the entire length of it.

It's actually very similar in concept to the Dodge Ram full size B-series van, which used a "one welded piece" "Uniframe" since 1971.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Ram_Van

Comments about the Ridgeline being a "minivan with a bed" are true only cosmetically. There's a lot more to it than that, but explanations sometimes fall on deaf ears.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Ridgeline

The bottom line with the Ridgeline, like many vehicles, I suspect, is this: if you want to like it, you probably will. And if you don't want to like it, you never will.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: supton
heh, I did try it... once. Nice gear growl. Haven't used it since.

Ridgeline is pretty close to what I'd like to have, and had I lived in a city I might have gone that way. Minivan comes close, but I do like having the walled off bed area that has no carpet. 4WD though I'd like to have: RWD in snow sucks, and a rear-heavy FWD (like a minivan) is going to be just as annoying. The Ridgeline would definitely have the upper hand for me over a part-time system.

Will see what the finished product looks like.


For what it's worth to you, my current model Ridge has been the very best 4x4 type system I've ever drive. Even off-road it functions very well. Certainly not a rock-crawler or a 4x4 that can hang with the more serious off-road vehicles though. But...on the road...in snow? Extremely sure footed.

I would trust the new one will be even better.


I believe you. My Tundra ranks as the worst snow vehicle I've had. Ok, it's hard to remember what an Astrovan or an Isuzu Pup was like--but I suspect they were at least on par, and possibly better. In some ways I kinda look forward to when I trade out of it in a few years.


Really? That surprises me.


Oh, if I need to go through six inches or so, the truck does pretty good. It suffers from getting high ended, just like anything else; possibly worse, as ground clearance is worst up front, which is where all the weight is. While most won't call the 4.6L a "torque" monster, it has ridiculous tip in, coupled with... a torque convertor. So it's a bit like an on/off switch when it comes to getting moving.

So, I find I'm in a battle between a locked center diff vs tail-happy RWD oversteer. The traction control is a joke; all it does is pull power when I need some wheel spin. And to disable it, I have to be stopped then hit disable three times.

I'm not saying I'm stuck all the time. Nor that I can't manage. Just that: of all the vehicles I'd want to drive in winter, this ranks as possibly the lowest.