Some People Say The Honda Ridgeline Isn't A REAL Off-Roader...Are They Wrong?

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#Honda #Ridgeline #OffRoader

[bobbygoodin]

This is the kind of "truck" that 90% of people really need. Most city/suburban dwellers only need a bed for hauling the lawnmower and going to the hardware store. There's definitely a market for the Ridgeline.

[mikalokasso]

The target audience seems to be people who want a really great on road daily driver you can take to dirt and gravel roads and have fun, while having Honda reliability and good gas mileage . It seems to hit that mark really well.

Not everything needs to be a rock crawler with 35” tires.

[henrybrar]

Ridgeline is a ego hurting vehicle for skoal dip chewing guys who barely manage to pay truck note on their 3/4 ton lifted truck which is barely used to tow or go off-roading.
Talk to guys who use big trucks for work and adventure and they do respect people having ridgelines, rangers as they understand everyone have different needs for their ride.
I own a Tacoma which is mostly for home depot runs but sure does enjoy some dirt when we are on family camping trips. Thinking of getting a Ridgeline next as it's more comfortable in city driving compared to Tacoma.
Not everybody needs a 3500 with 37s.

[TheChickenrancher]

My 2008 Ridgeline was a beast in the snow. I sold it it because I like to tinker on cars and it never broke down. Now my old suburban constantly needs tinkering. I was surprised my Ridgeline went for as much as it did and that was pre covid.

[clau]

I got myself a black HPD when they hit the show room and I’ve had no complaints whatsoever! I work on a drilling rig so I have to take it in some tough terrains for some of the locations we go to in very deserted areas and I’ve gotta say she can handle the mud like a champ! I have some Toyo Open Country AT3’s on mine and she’s been able to handle some real soft mud as well as the sand at the beach without getting me stuck! The only downside I see is that the aftermarket support isn’t as strong as a Tacoma or a Jeep, and we’re very limited as to what we can add on them😞 hopefully we start seeing more companies make products for us ridgeline owners lol

[regsparkes]

When Honda brought out the Ridgeline, back around 2005, I didn't give it a second glance, .. but today, they've come a long way, ( no pun intended here ) haven't they?
Today, I would and probably will, have a closer look when buying time comes back around.

[normcheers]

A truck with a trunk to store and lock up my tools or what ever. A good amount of payload, a swing out tailgate, all wheel drive, comfortable seating, good power, good gas mileage. The only thing I don't love is the styling. Seems like a perfect truck for someone who enjoys some on road performance along with some offroad or inclement weather capability.

[jg]

To the "Bros" in this comments section, I submit the following:

Per the 2019 owner survey by Edmunds: 75% of truck owners self-reported pulling a trailer 1 or fewer (i.e. 0) times per year. 70% of truck owners reported going off-road (includes rough gravel) 1 or fewer times per year (given that they included gravel and still got 70% saying they did not, if they had defined off-road as more difficult, an even higher percentage would have reported not off-roading). 35% of truck owners used the bed of their truck to haul large items 1 or fewer times per year. Again, this is from a survey of thousands of truck owners by one of the most reputable car statistics companies.

Per JD Power's 2020 annual APEAL survey of truck owners: 91% of Ridgeline owners are male, compared to 85% for the midsized truck segment, and 86% for the fullsized segment. Those comments about it being a girls truck? I guess that label applies more towards the rest of the trucks out there. In fairness, the median age of a Ridgeline owner is higher than the rest, at 65 vs 56, so it is more of an old man's truck. Also, based on owner satisfaction (measured by "would you buy another"), Ridgelines ranked 1st in the midsized segment, with the highest percentage of owners willing to buy another rather than switch to a different vehicle or brand. Again, this is from JD Power's big survey, you know the one that manufacturers like to quote in their commercials.

Lastly, per the Cars.com's American Made Index, the Honda Ridgeline is the most American made pickup truck, and the 3rd most American made vehicle in the US market. Fun fact, the only other truck(s) to break the top 10 vehicles in the American Made index were the Colorado/Canyon at #8/9. Another fun fact, spots 2, 4, 6, 7, and 10 were also Honda/Acura vehicles (The Odyssey, Passport, MDX, Pilot, and RDX in order), so 6 of the 10 most American made vehicles are Hondas.

So, what have we learned? 1) Most truck owners (over 70%) do not/rarely off-road or trailer, and over 1/3 of them don't even use the bed of their trucks. 2) More men drive Ridgelines as a percentage of ownership than all other trucks. 3)The "REAL AMERICANS DRIVE AMERICAN TRUCKS" crowd should be buying Honda Ridgelines.

If I hurt anyone's feelings by reporting facts, I am not sorry.

[jsirkerp]

Why not make the skid plates available for Ridgeline customers?

[michaelflynn]

I used to own a Ridgeline and its a really nice truck and yes, its capable off road, its no rock crawler but its quite capable. The unibody design offers some really nice comfort and I absolutely love the trunk in the bed of the truck - I'm surprised that never really caught on.

[Furniture]

I like the realistic use of AWD "off-roaders", as most people aren't out doing rack crawling. Getting to cool camping spots, or out to trailheads is what most people looking at that sort of vehicle for "off-roading" are interested in, rather than spending a day bouncing over rocks inside a vehicle.

[andrewazzariti]

I have a stock g1 RL with k02’s. Ridgelines are heavily under appreciated. It’s a beast up in the mountains in Colorado in all of our crazy conditions.

[brianhall]

It is perfectly fine for what most people would use it for. I agree the HPD package looks the best.

[wyndward]

Does adding JSport lift kits to a honda Ridgeline void the Hona warranty? It's interesting that Honda would send a rep to talk about a ridgeline with significant aftermarket upgrades.

[Malikot]

I just sold my 2017. Amazing truck and so practical. Great MPG, ride quality, features and that in bed trunk is so useful.

[tclg]

I really like the Ridgeline.. The right amount of truck for most people, it's rational

[grisa]

Had one, they are actually phenomenal trucks in nearly every way. I have a 2020 F250 diesel/platinum/Tremor now so this is high praise.

[dalephillips]

Yes I think the Ridgeline is a good vehicle for what it is. It can do 80% of what I usually use my Tundra for but it's that 20% that keeps it from being feasible for my life right now. Towing, pulling people out of snow ditches ...certain off-road treks...it just wouldn't do. I classify it the same as the new Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa cruz.

[antartorres]

Love when people have done their homework and knows how their truck works and what is capable of

[mikemerrill]

Used to take my 07 snow skiing Mt Hood. Studded tires & it worked every bit in ice/snow as good as the Suburban I had before it. Plus, I could haul my dirt bike summers. Great rig. I just replaced it with a 23