Consumer Reports

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Reportedly, there is a new comparison in the latest copy of Consumer Reports. If anyone comes up with a link or can post some of the results, it would be GREAT!!! As I understand - the RidgeLine blew away the competition!!

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[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

quick summary:
The Ridgeline, Honda's first pickup, is the best one we've tested. The ride is supple and steady, like a good sedan, and handling is quite agile. It features a tailgate that opens vertically or horizontally, and beneath the bed is an all-weather, lockable trunk. The standard 255-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine is quiet, smooth, and responsive. Road noise is pronounced. The roomy crew cab is nicely detailed and easy to access. The five-foot-long cargo bed is made from a composite material and has no wheel arch intrusion. While not designed for serious off-roading, it proved capable in most off-road conditions. Reliability should be above average.

Highlights:
Highs: Ride, handling, powertrain refinement, rear seat, access, in-bed trunk, light dual-action tailgate, standard safety equipment and AWD, composite bed.
Lows: Road noise, turning circle.

Some of the body of the review (dont want to get the web site in trouble for posting it in entirety)

The Ridgeline rewrites the book on pickups. It rides like a good sedan and has many innovations, including a tailgate that opens vertically or horizontally and a lockable trunk. Its roomy cab is nicely detailed and easy to access. While not designed for serious off-roading, it scaled our demanding rock hill. The Ridgeline has a steady and comfortable ride. Bumps are muted and isolated. The ride is composed on the highway and didn't degrade when carrying a 500-pound load. It's quiet overall, with road noise being the most pronounced. Handling is agile, with well-restrained body lean. The steering is precise and well-weighted, and the truck is composed, even on washboard surfaces. The turning circle, however, is a wide 45 feet. At the track, the Ridgeline felt balanced. The standard ESC helped the truck in our avoidance maneuver. The Ridgeline's smooth, responsive, and quiet 255-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. It took 20.5 seconds to pull a 5,000-pound trailer to 60 mph. Expect 15 mpg overall. The full-time all-wheel drive sends equal torque to the front and rear for added low-speed traction. It doesn't have the low-range gearing of traditional pickups, but was capable off-road. Overall braking was good, but stops were long.

Bottom line, they liked it, purchase the mag, its a good read and comparison.

HR
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[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Thanks, I'll pick it up :)

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

HR, thanks for posting!!! I may have access to a pdf of the entire article, so may be able to post a bit more as well.

There was also a link on the MSN site the other day, but after reading it, I think it was just a re-hash of one I had read before.

:)

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

I have both an on-line subscription and the magazine to the house with CR, and could make a PDF of the entire article, just didnt want to get the owner of this web site in hot water (copyright etc) by posting it.

In the over all comparison, they basically said, the others didnt come close in terms of versatility, ride, comfort, overall package etc. Honda had set a new standard for this class, and they ranked the Ridgeline #1, over the Taco, Titan, F-150 etc etc, for its intended market.

Not bad for first time at bat!

And honestly I would have to agree with em, the truck is pretty darn sweet!
:)
Its a total home run for my wife, and thats all that matters!


HR
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[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

I assume it is in the auto buyers guide. I checked on the June issure of the mag and it was not there. I looked at their buyers guide and it looked like it was in that publication, however at $10 I will just read what you all post of it. It has to be good if it is true.

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

This review is in the current magazine, we dont get the auto buyers guide from them.
Was in the mail box last night, with my latest Dirt Rider, so it was a good mail day!

HR
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