2005 Honda Ridgeline

[Shiretsu]

I hate square wheel wells so much that it almost stopped me from buying my 4Runner. The problem was that the square wheel wells were the only thing I didn't like about it (except maybe the bumper lenses in the rear), so I got it anyway...

That is exactly what has me on the fence. I wish they handled the 3rd row a little better too.

the body style looks too similar to the chevy avalanche.

Wouldn't have thought it possible but, Honda managed to out-ugly the Avalanche.

 

[Mafster]

Who thinks it looks like a stretched Honda Element? Similar (ugly) front end-etc. Glad I didn't wait till they came out before I bought my new 05 4Runner Sport (which I just love).

 

[pbm317]

Test drove one today just for kicks. Smooth truck and a nice interior. Front end definitely looks better with the accessory grille. Very logical interior and nice truck for what it is. The hidden trunk is a neat idea.

As someone noted, I'd be a little wary of the transmission, as Honda is having a lot of problems with their 5-speed automatics the past few years.

If I could, I think I'd look into one after I get bored of the 4Runner.

 

[Flipside909]

The Honda Fridgeline, looks like a retro refridgerator w/wheels.

 

[sharp4runr]

So, lets say you are driving around with the truck bed full of mulch and you have a flat tire. How do you get to the spare?

 

[Northof49]

I saw one driving on the road for the first time last weekend, and all I can say is WOW...that thing looks BAD!

While I have faith that Honda likely did a good job with its mechanicals and engineering, the styleing is just terrible. I'm not sure what it's trying to look like, but it sure doesn't look like a truck to me...

Not one panel flows with another: The hood looks like it's from a totally different vehicle, the high slanted box sides remind me of a Boston Whaler, the tailgate looks like it's borrowed from a truck 1/2 the size, and the list goes on. Honda usually makes some pretty slick looking vehicles.....but this thing looks downright retarded!

 

[pbm317]

Sharp:

If you know you're going to have a big load in the bed, there are alternate mounting points along the bed for the spare tire.

 

[sharp4runr]

I saw one driving on the road for the first time last weekend, and all I can say is WOW...that thing looks BAD!

Thats bad as in bad and not as in GOOD

So you have to think ahead and move the spare tire if you will be hauling materials and foresee that you'll need to change because of a flat tire? silly....

Plus it doesn't look like a full size spare?

 

[pbm317]

It's a temp spare, but a full size can fit there too.

 

[bulldog-yota]

Teh ridgeline is aimed at a sport utility truck market not the working truck market. As such the spare location is fine and the extra space is seen as a bonus. But you are right this design will never be acceptible for a working truck. The load bed is aimed for gear and othe rloose articles, not real work stuff