Worth Waiting For

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Worth Waiting For
Honda Ridgeline SUT
$27,000 to $32,000


KATIE: Honda has done it again. It won't be first or biggest or brawniest, but you can count on it to come up with the most creative packaging in the business. In this case, that's Honda's much-delayed entry into pickup trucks. The Ridgeline wowed the crowd with its locking trunk below the five-foot truck bed. Not to mention the spare tire that rolls out on a shelf and flip-up back seats to make room for a mountain bike.


DAVID: This one leaves me cold. It's better looking than I expected and has some nice innovative features. But it won't have the brawn of a true pickup. To me, it shows that Honda has hit the limit of what it can build using only small engines and a set of chassis that were originally designed for cars and minivans.

http://images.businessweek.com/db/05/01/auto06.htm?campaign_id=msnbc_detauto05

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

David does have a point. I am becoming more concerned at the lack of power considering the vehicles weight. You will hear me talk frequently about power to weight ratio, which I like to express in hp/torque per pound. Not to say they did not do a great job squeezing 255 hp and 252 lb ft torque out of a normal aspirated 3.5L V6. Honda IMO has the best innovation of all the auto makers.

I did a lot of research today (I have tons of free time on my hands!) and I was dissapointed comparing the power to weight ratio of other vehicles, not new models, but old ones like my 2000 4Runner. When you consider the V6 it had which originated in 1995/96, sure it only had 182 hp and 217 ft lb torque, but the power to weight ratio when expressed in hp/torque per lb is really close to the Ridgeline. The gas mileage was slightly less, but not much. I never thought my 4Runner was quick, but she moved off the line pretty good and had no problems towing heavy loads. The biggest difference is I could have bolted on a factory TRD supercharger and up'ed the hp to almost 265 and 275 lb ft of torque!

I am really surprised (as many are) at the low est. EPA mileage rating of 16/21, that is pretty weak. Although it was probably not possible, they should really offer a hybrid version. I would hope by late 2006. This would boost both gas mileage and low end power. I am a big advocate of hybrid technology and Honda and Toyota are the leaders. Forget Ford, they only made one to make them look more environment friendly, which it did not do. Every gas guzzler they make negates the Escape hybrid many times over.

D

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Quote: › docWrite("quote")Every gas guzzler they make negates the Escape hybrid many times over.


haha. you make some good points. i guess the bottom line is how much power do you really need? the ridgeline is a half ton pickup and if a half ton is the most ud ever pull then its good enough. thats certainly my case.

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Well IMO the more the better, but not if it means being a gas guzzler. That's why hybrids are so great, you can have your cake and eat it too!

Reality is no truck is good for the environment, well technically no vehicle is really, but I feel pretty good with my Civic's gas mileage. The Ridgeline would not be something I would use to commute with, it would be used for my outdoor activities.

D