2017 Honda Ridgeline

[BlackWorksInc]

First drive: ?2017 Honda Ridgeline First Drive

" Park the Ridgeline so that one wheel is kept high in the air, and, proving the unibody's stiffness, all the doors open and close without a hitch, as does the tailgate. A similar test of the Tacoma shows significant bending made apparent by uneven gaps between the doors, pickup bed and tailgate."


[MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] WTF Toyota?!?! There goes the whole BOF argument over uneven surfaces!

Tow rating for AWD = 5000.

Payload = 1584.

Another first drive: 2017 Honda Ridgeline First Drive ? Review ? Car and Driver

I would have liked to see pictures of their claim that the doors show "significant" bending, particularly since their claiming it's made by the uneven gaps in the components. I would expect the Tacoma to be a bit more "bendy" but it's interesting they are referring to the cab having "significant" flexing, yet don't mention any issues such as doors not closing, ect.

It's nice to see that the unibody is stiffer than I had assumed it would be (at least according to C&D, so take that with a grain of salt); the only concern that brings is that if it's too stiff (but again that goes more into off-roading territory than what we were talking about). The more reviews and real world testing will shed more light on the platform, Car & Driver isn't exactly an unbiased wealth of knowledge; but the data does seem interesting to say the least.

 

[Thai]

I would have liked to see pictures of their claim that the doors show "significant" bending, particularly since their claiming it's made by the uneven gaps in the components. I would expect the Tacoma to be a bit more "bendy" but it's interesting they are referring to the cab having "significant" flexing, yet don't mention any issues such as doors not closing, ect.

It's nice to see that the unibody is stiffer than I had assumed it would be (at least according to C&D, so take that with a grain of salt); the only concern that brings is that if it's too stiff (but again that goes more into off-roading territory than what we were talking about). The more reviews and real world testing will shed more light on the platform, Car & Driver isn't exactly an unbiased wealth of knowledge; but the data does seem interesting to say the least.

Well, the above excerpt is from Autoblog, not C&D. Why do you say C&D is biased?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Well, the above excerpt is from Autoblog, not C&D. Why do you say C&D is biased?

It was more a matter of commenting on the sources provided. C&D as well as Consumer Reports have shown bias and willful ignorance in their reviews for anything not akin to a Honda Civic/Corolla. AutoBlog is less so from what I've seen before; though I would have liked to see their "flex test" as without real proof it's coming off as exaggeration for the sake of word count. Either way, the Basic information is interesting; particularly the steering feel that Philsey's article mentioned.

The information is interesting though.

 

[Thai]

It was more a matter of commenting on the sources provided. C&D as well as Consumer Reports have shown bias and willful ignorance in their reviews for anything not akin to a Honda Civic/Corolla. AutoBlog is less so from what I've seen before; though I would have liked to see their "flex test" as without real proof it's coming off as exaggeration for the sake of word count. Either way, the Basic information is interesting; particularly the steering feel that Philsey's article mentioned.

The information is interesting though.

Link: First drive: 2017 Honda Ridgeline [Review] | LeftLaneNews

Another source.

"And the notion that a body-on-frame truck is stronger than a unibody truck is simply unfounded. The torsional stiffness of the Ridgeline is nearly double that of the Chevrolet Colorado, and the Honda's bending stiffness is close to double that of the Ford F-150.

If anything, the Ridgeline felt more rigid than the competition. On one section of track that lifted a rear wheel off the ground you could hear the Tacoma creaking as its frame flexed. In the Ridgeline, everything was as quiet as a Sunday drive.

Additionally, Honda devised its own crash test that measures the strength of the wall between the passenger compartment and truck bed. Honda's test simulates a 30mph crash while carrying a 1,000 pound load in the bed. Although not a government-mandated test, the Ridgeline passed with flying colors, keeping the 1,000 pound load from entering the cabin."

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Link: First drive: 2017 Honda Ridgeline [Review] | LeftLaneNews

Another source.

"And the notion that a body-on-frame truck is stronger than a unibody truck is simply unfounded. The torsional stiffness of the Ridgeline is nearly double that of the Chevrolet Colorado, and the Honda's bending stiffness is close to double that of the Ford F-150.

If anything, the Ridgeline felt more rigid than the competition. On one section of track that lifted a rear wheel off the ground you could hear the Tacoma creaking as its frame flexed. In the Ridgeline, everything was as quiet as a Sunday drive.

Additionally, Honda devised its own crash test that measures the strength of the wall between the passenger compartment and truck bed. Honda's test simulates a 30mph crash while carrying a 1,000 pound load in the bed. Although not a government-mandated test, the Ridgeline passed with flying colors, keeping the 1,000 pound load from entering the cabin."

The creaking I can imagine is the body mounts and C-channel frame, I've never understood the C-channel in the Tacoma when the Hilux us boxed. This concerns me though, it's nice that it's stiff; but that doesn't imply longevity or durability; it also alludes to a concern I had about them stiffening it too much. Part of the BOF's advantage is a balance between flexing and stiffness (which is why I wanted to see what AutoBlog meant by "significant" flexing in the Tacoma) granted I doubt many will push the Ridgeline too far. But the concern is that by eliminating flex in favor of stiffeness they've opened themselves to fatigue over time due to repeated stresses. That's something only time can tell (though if most every unibody I've seen is an indicator, there will be issues with spot welds, I'm not sure if it's manufacturing issues or design, but it's a common issue with many TSBs on many vehicles), so it's more of a question than accusation.

I do like the payload crash test, that's something I wonder how many other vehicles would handle well. Good on Honda for going the extra mile on that.

Like I said, we'll get a better picture as time goes on and more real world testing is done vs controlled media teasing and "first looks", but I'm cautiously intrigued by everything so far.

 

[green_manalishi]

Take anything 4x4 related from Car and Driver with a grain of salt. I've met a few of their journalists, and those guys don't leave the city often.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Thai]

The creaking I can imagine is the body mounts and C-channel frame, I've never understood the C-channel in the Tacoma when the Hilux us boxed. This concerns me though, it's nice that it's stiff; but that doesn't imply longevity or durability; it also alludes to a concern I had about them stiffening it too much. Part of the BOF's advantage is a balance between flexing and stiffness (which is why I wanted to see what AutoBlog meant by "significant" flexing in the Tacoma) granted I doubt many will push the Ridgeline too far. But the concern is that by eliminating flex in favor of stiffeness they've opened themselves to fatigue over time due to repeated stresses. That's something only time can tell (though if most every unibody I've seen is an indicator, there will be issues with spot welds, I'm not sure if it's manufacturing issues or design, but it's a common issue with many TSBs on many vehicles), so it's more of a question than accusation.

True about the weld and too stiff. But, it seems like Honda really reinforced the sh!t out of this...thus the curb weight is MORE than midsize trucks at 4500 lbs despite using high-tensile steel. So, fatigue will likely not be a problem especially since 99% of RL owners won't tow heavy stuff nor take it off-road (unlike some Tacoma owners). Honda has issues with their transmissions and torque converter...not so much with their structure. I have not heard much issue regarding RL 1st gen structure.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Well the reviews are putting Toyota to shame in terms of shifting quality. They need to take a lesson in programming a drivetrain because there's 5th Gen 4Runner and 3rd Gen Tacoma are just absolute pigs with very odd shifting due to the programming.

 

[Thai]

Well the reviews are putting Toyota to shame in terms of shifting quality. They need to take a lesson in programming a drivetrain because there's 5th Gen 4Runner and 3rd Gen Tacoma are just absolute pigs with very odd shifting due to the programming.

I have not driven 5th gen, but if you want to talk about SHITTY transmission of epic proportions, then drive an Acura/Honda vehicle with the 9-speed automatic from ZF!!! Horrible POS transmission. I will gladly take ANY transmission over that! Fortunately, my MDX got the last 6-speed auto just before than changed it.

Lexus/Toyota 8-speed by Aisin is so much better and sublime!

 

[Thai]

Another review: The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is Solid, But A Little Too Much Accord For Its Own Good

Boring, but good is basically what this article is about.

 

[LandCruiser]

Well the reviews are putting Toyota to shame in terms of shifting quality. They need to take a lesson in programming a drivetrain because there's 5th Gen 4Runner and 3rd Gen Tacoma are just absolute pigs with very odd shifting due to the programming.

The GM 6 speeds in their full size half ton (and some 3/4 ton) trucks are actually very smooth shifting.

 

[TN_TEP16]

Would have been interested if it had a squared off front end like the 2015 Pilot.

 

[Thai]

Good detailed review: 2017 Honda Ridgeline: First Drive - PickupTrucks.com News

 

[MuddyButt]

I have never been inside of the new Ridgeline but I can say with 100% confidence it will have a better ride and be more comfortable, for all FOUR passengers, than the 2016 tacoma.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I have never been inside of the new Ridgeline but I can say with 100% confidence it will have a better ride and be more comfortable, for all FOUR passengers, than the 2016 tacoma.

I'm not entirely sure why trucks in this day and age still need leaf springs, they ride really roughly it seems with them.

 

[Thai]

I'm not entirely sure why trucks in this day and age still need leaf springs, they ride really roughly it seems with them.

Nor why they still have rear DRUM brakes!! Seriously Toyota!!!

Leaf is cheaper to make I think and can carry more payload???

 

[LandCruiser]

I'm not entirely sure why trucks in this day and age still need leaf springs, they ride really roughly it seems with them.

Easier and cheaper to deal with massive loads--which the Taco and Honda el Camino will never see. For its weight class the Taco is better served with coils, something that even the 80 series had back in the 1990s.

Drum brakes are shit. They get packed with dirt, mud, or here salt and bad things happen to them. Even the el cheapo FJ Cruiser was rocking discs all around.

There is no reason for a modern vehicle to have drum brakes.

 

[Thai]

Explanation of RL AWD system and different modes: Here's How The 2017 Honda Ridgeline's Trick Off-Roading Modes Work

 

[TrdinOhio]

I find it odd so far that nobody has mentioned that the Hondas interior appears to be made entirely from melted old GI Joes.

 

[Thai]

I find it odd so far that nobody has mentioned that the Hondas interior appears to be made entirely from melted old GI Joes.

Huh? Am i missing something here? I assume that you say that it is bad looking or has bad materials??

And you're comparing it to what? Tacoma interior? Canyon interior?

Here is a pic of Ridgeline: (Personally, it looks great for a truck!)

Tacoma: