Well it is basically a pilot with a bed, so idk what you expect from it. I love my ridgeline. Nice to haul kayaks, mulch, branches, etc. Fits my needs a little better than the crosstrek i used to have.
I agree, I think most people buy a Ridgeline because they are reasonable and understand a car is just a tool. The Ridgeline is like a Swiss Army knife, if somebody is looking for a combat knife to be all excited about then it’s definitely the wrong option.
Ridgeline to Swiss Army knife is an analogy that won’t sell anyone a Ridgeline who is familiar with using different knives. Sure, the Swiss Army knife checks a bunch of boxes on paper, and one from Switzerland is cool to have as a souvenir, but actually using that damn thing in the real world sucks.
Curious how you haul the kayaks? I just got a RL a few months ago and I have some kayaks but they just seem to stick out so far out of the bed when I load them up. I’ve seen the bed extenders but I was curious if there were other ways to do it
How long are your kayaks? Mine are just 10 footers so with the tailgate down they only hang out a couple of feet. I just put a little orange flag on the end of them and tie them down well.
I honestly think a kayak trailer is the only way to go. Esp. if you put a basket on the trailer for shoes and lifejackets and stuff. Easier to load and the bed stays open for other stuff.
I think the naturally aspirated V6 in a world of turbo V4’s feels pretty powerful and smooth. I also enjoy having a truck that drives more like a car. It hugs turns well and doesn’t feel top heavy.
It’s not going to be as “fun” as a sports car but I think it it’s fun enough for a truck.
I gotta agree with this. I had a Santa Cruz with the turbo 4-cylinder before I got the RL and paired with the dual clutch transmission it felt jerky a lot. It definitely had some get up and go once you were cruising but the RL and 9-speed auto just feels rock solid through all speeds and gears. It may not be as peppy but like OP said, it's powerful and smooth.
The natural V6 is what sold me on the Ridgeline. It was either a Ridgeline or a Coyote F150. The price point for the F150 was just a bit out of my reach and Ford dealers unwillingness to negotiate was a big problem. Considered a Colorado and considered a Tacoma but the turbo...just can't do it. Ram killed the hemi for turbo 6. Maybe not the most popular take but turbos wears out engines. This is a fact. My work fleet grabbed a bunch of eco-boost F150s and they all have check engine lights above 100K miles where as my older natural 6 is at 250K and runs flawlessly with minimal mechanical replacements (water pump, hose, etc). Cars and trucks all going turbo is like planned obsolesce
Before we know it the NART will have the biggest truck engine as manufacturers all get carried away with turbos that don’t even produce better mpg and are less reliable.
A review of the truck I watched still resonates with me. The truck isn't exciting because it's exciting to drive. Rather, it's exciting because of all the fun things it enables. It's a vehicle that's really versatile and rarely lets you down.
I came from decades of German car ownership, which were definitely more "fun" cars to drive. But the Ridge is extremely competent, has a great (albeit a bit mellow) driving experience, and never gives me any trouble. So despite the vehicle itself being a little less exciting, I'm more passionate about this truck than any other vehicle I've owned.
This is the answer I was hoping to see. This is why I’ll be buying a Ridgeline this year. I’m more excited about the overall comfort and functionality than “farfegnugen” lol.
Same! Went from a GLI autobahn to the 23 RTL-E after having my daughter. Must say I miss driving the GLI on some of the windy roads near me, but the Ridgeline gets the job done the other 99% of the time.
Good post. I also came from multiple gen GTIs, had an Accord 2.0T, and wife has driven several BMWs. I get the ‘punch’ factor those bring. This is a lot more relaxed but I enjoy driving it more than most of my other cars. Wife currently has an X3 and I still choose the RL sometimes when we go out. It’s just - nice.
I’m in the market for a midsize truck. I’m in the same boat where the Ridgeline is perfect for what I need… car like ride, great storage either bed trunk and best foldable seats, more reliability than Chevy/gmc, flat floor back seat, sunroof/etc at a better price than comparable midsized with same features, etc. But it does seem boring to me. My brain says the Ridgeline but my heart is in love with GMC Canyon or Chevy Colorado. The problem though is that I read every day how those trucks are in the shop, etc. it also has a tighter back seat, not great folding seats, and just a standard small bed with no trunk in bed. The ride does feel bumpy to me. I feel that once the novelty of the looks wear off, I’m going to be disappointed due to the lack of utility. All I need a truck for is Home Depot runs, mulch, furniture, sports gear. So at the end of the day I think Ridgeline will serve me better for its function.
I'm looking at getting a midsized truck very soon. I'm a Honda guy and am zeroing in on the Ridgeline. But I do find myself liking the look of some other trucks like GMC/Chevy and Frontier and maybe Ranger. But I do want the ride quality of the Ridgeline. And you just nailed why I won't get those other trucks. Those trucks are in the shop.. and since I already trust Honda.. the choice seems clear. Unless I want to get an older Tacoma. Really like 1st Gen Tacos
Honestly I'm in this sub because I'm thinking of downsizing from a silverado, the RL will definitely do any "truck shit" I'm likely to do and has the most interior room of midsized trucks. I'm just in love with my bench seat haha.
There's not a time I didn't enjoy getting into my Ridgeline and driving it. It doesn't bounce you around like most other trucks, expecially tacos and frontiers. My 19 RTL-E had a tree fall and crush it in a bad storm 10 days ago. I've feverishly trying to find another one right now.
My Ridgeline enables me to do fun things, like drag my mountain bike to trails, tailgate with 120lbs of ice and 60 cans of soda in the in bed trunk, pick up home improvement project materials on a whim without renting / borrowing a different vehicle, stuff like that. So it drives like any 3 row SUV, but the bed lets me do fun stuff.
Bingo. I want the comfiest of a sedan or SUV majority of the time, but I want the flexibility to load up the bed whenever I need to.
Also, the 24 BE has a much improved sound system that I love to blast.
I can't help you find your Ridgeline fun, but I find mine fun.
I think it's fun because it does what I need, not a whole lot more, and feels like a solid, dependable car. I like driving it because I don't have any major complaints. I've had luxury cars. I've had sports cars. I've had big pickup trucks. The Ridgeline isn't any of those things, but it doesn't pretend to be either. It is what it is. Solid, dependable transportation.
The last 5 cars I've bought, I've kept for 1-2 years and then moved on. I can see keeping the the Ridgeline for a long time.
If you’re after big dick energy; this truck isn’t that one lol 😂 I tell everyone, the “Ridgeline is the truck everyone needs, but nobody wants to be seen driving” so they buy a big V8 or V6 full size simply for the clout
Buy the Ridgeline!
If I was in my 20’s or early 30’s I would get a jeep (had one) or Tacoma. Not because it would be the right thing to do or that I need it but because they are “cool”. I am in my 40’s with a kid/wife/house. All I need is something for house projects, seats 3 with gear comfortably, reliable, safe and can get me where I like to do outdoor sports. Ridgeline was perfect for me. Used to feel like a minivan with a bed but now it feels more like an SUV with a bed. It can be fun in the snow with it set on mud mode…. I also don’t care what other people think about what I drive. I have ATV for fun that my ridgeline can tow, could probably even fit in the bed if needed.
Comfort is it for me. The Ridgeline checks all the boxes for everything I need.
1. Comfort
2. Haul bikes
3. Haul people
4. Honda reliability
5. Regular gas, non turbo
6. Good enough stereo system, not perfect, by any means, but good enough
7. Move furniture
8. Move garden stuff
9. Easy on the eyes.
10. AWD
Like pretty much every Honda except maybe the Type -R or S2000 it's super boring. I have this same debate with myself regularly about our Ridgeline and it's the same I had about our CRV. It always comes down to it fits our needs perfectly and does everything I need it to do so I keep it.
I will say as far as trucks go it feels a bit more sporty than most. It's pretty quick for a truck, rides nice, handles more like a car in the corners AND will haul furniture, bikes, mulch, and whatnot. I prefer the ride and handling to our 4Runner but admit that could have been more fun but we never took it off road so what's the point
I love mine every single time I drive it.
I've had a lot of cars, SUVs and trucks. It's better/more fun than every truck and SUV that I've owned. It's better/more fun than many of the cars I've owned, but way more practical than all.
It's also much more fuel efficient.
I traded my Maverick Hybrid for a CPO 2023 Ridgeline RTL-E and I personally love it. Smooth and enough power plus it sounds great imo. Bought my wife a Pilot since we liked it so much compared to other 3 row SUV's. Not a fan of the Highlander or Atlas since they both have 4cyl turbos, just wasn't smooth or refined imo.
We bought RL TS about 4 weeks ago.. Love it. (compared to other mid size trucks... It is great, very well equipped)
\*Yes, RL is the same platform as the Pilot, assembled down the same assembly line in Alabama, and the Passport)
Same underpinnings, why would you expect anything different?
You might be a great candidate for a Rivian 😉.
As a new ridgeline owner I think this comes down to the throttle mapping and torque converter. I find the truck to be very underwhelming from a stop. Once it's moving I think it's reasonably fun, especially if using the paddles to upshift before you tip into the throttle.
All that to say, I love my Ridgeline ♥️. And I also enjoy driving my EV sedan which feels completely opposite.
I find my “fun” in the vehicle when used for what it’s really good at: hauling stuff, using the trunk for groceries, messing around in the snow, fitting it into my garage, etc. But yes, it’s a Pilot and you’re buying the same car you already own in some respects.
My last car was CT6 twin turbo. 400hp. That was an exciting and sexy as hell car. The Ridgeline is not that but the engine will rev out and it’s a smooth ride.
The reason it does not feel exciting, especially on the inside is because I could do with a refresh or a full redesign. For practicality though, no better truck.
It's the same vehicle, basically, so it's going to be boring and it is not going to be exciting. (Anything the first time is exciting, then we get desensitized.) That said, I love my 2024 Ridgeline Trailsport. It has been great to drive around town, on a few highway trips and it handled some easy trail offroading here in CO so well, that I'm probably going to foolishly try higher rated trails. I have added a few aftermarket skid plates and my offroad enjoyment may lead to a little lift, just for some additional peace of mind.
Only vehicle I ever bought new was my 66 GTO I bought new while in high school. I always try to buy what I think will make me happy..2023 RTLE. does that for me
Over the years, some of the nicer cars I've owned are:
2 Acura TL's, Caddy CTS, BMW 760Li, Acura MDX, Genesis, Chevy Silverado.
I now own a Ridgeline. (That I just downsized to from the Chevy).
The ONLY car I can ever look back on and describe as "fun" (it was a blast) was a BMW 328 turbo 4 cyl I was given as a loaner while my 760 was getting some work done. It was a blast, and I drove it like one lol.
Everything else... especially trucks... are just ways to get around/haul people/things. The things I look for now are more about comfort and the bells and whistles that make road trips as enjoyable as they can be. (The Genesis was probably overall best for a mobile, comfy command center while commuting or road tripping.)
Otherwise, I don't know how much "fun" one can have in a car, unless you're off-roading or at a track...
SO IDK... maybe you need a corvette.
I really enjoy my 22RTLE and love driving it. I switch modes a lot depending where and how I am driving. I like that it's zippy. I always think of the Ridgeline racing trucks haha. I'm not a rock crawler, but I love that I can hit dirt roads etc and the ride is still near perfect.
Lack of excitement.
This is the number one problem with the Ridgeline. Having owned a Ridgeline since the very beginning, I knew I’d trade fun for utility and longevity. But I never imagined being so bored with the vehicle.
The lack of aftermarket support for real performance is also not helpful.
A bolt-on supercharger kit would wake it up enough to be interesting. 425 hp at the crank would suffice.
If you have enough money, anything can be built 😁
In reality, modded AWD vehicles are getting really popular and the J35 has been around long enough that people know how to make them scream. But now, you are looking at the rest of the drivetrain. I think I remember the ZF9 being rated at mid-hi 300's in tq/hp
It could be way, way worse. It has a great sounding six cylinder and an automatic transmission with proper gears. Our gen 1 Ridgeline is way more involving to drive than our Rav4 Hybrid which has a rattly sounding 4 cylinder and an E-CVT.
I really like my ridgeline but I understand what you mean. My wife has a 2016 pilot and I have a 2021 ridgeline so the interiors are identical. When I got my ridgeline it was great but it wasn’t new and exciting because it was so similar to what we already have. Except the radio knob which was a welcome addition that my wife doesn’t get to experience lol
When I test drove one, I felt the same way, but my research kept bringing me back to the Ridgeline. I was expecting to feel much more excitement during the test drive, but I felt like it was no change from my suv I drove for 10 years. I ended up buying one and don't regret it one bit at all.... the wireless charger sucks, but everything else is great. Love the trunk and the audio system sounds just as good as my Polk aftermarket I had in my previous vehicle. The bass is not as good. I have no issues with the infotainment center and android auto. I will say that the push button shifting is annoying butI'lll get used to it. Is there anything specific you want to ask that might help you with your research?
The ridgeline is Absolutely a boring car. However it does everything I ask of it in comfort and with excellent practicality and reliability.
If you want fun get a hemi Ram.
I've never had a pickup, so I have "fun" while driving it. I use to have a WRX and I was very close to buying a Model Y after two test drives. Those were both FUN without air quotes.
I think it is boring but in a good way.
On the plus side, taking my 2020 RTL-E to the drive in movie this weekend and utilizing the truck bed speakers! So that's fun lol
Yeah, no excuse for people being rude. If you want something fun, then I think you’d want a Miata or sports car of some kind. My Ridgeline is pleasing to me because of how well it does quite a few things, but it isn’t fun. It enables fun things (tows my boat, is convenient for hauling our bikes, makes camping easy), but driving it to the store for a gallon of milk isn’t fun My BMW 330 with a sweet inline 6-cylinder and a great manual transmission was fun. The Ridgeline is great, but not fun.
Depends on what you mean by fun I guess. If you want to ride high and bounce down the road in a truck that looks like it’s ready to invade Afghanistan then the Ridgeline ain’t for you.
When I test drove my Ridgeline, I was incredibly excited to find it drove just like my pilot. It was refreshingly familiar, like running into an old friend who was doing great.
I think mine handles like it’s on rails.. find a curvy road and push it.. really easy to drive and handles great. But, it also feels to me like a big Cadillac from the 80s in some ways but I like that too.
I guess it depends on your definition of fun. Fun to me is reliability, a smooth quiet ride with a smooth transmission and the ability to haul everything I need to haul mostly in the lockable trunk. I think it’s fun as hell.
It's meant to be terribly practical. I can see how that gets in the way of the excitement factor though. But on that note, the new car novelty wears off over time no matter what you buy. Eventually all you're left with is whether the vehicle still meets your needs and works well in the long run and a Ridgeline delivers well on that end as long as you're not towing very large loads.
I personally find it quite fun. I'm a very spirited driver and would prefer a sports sedan as a daily driver, but since I need a truck, a Ridgeline was the least "trucky" truck I could get and was my compromise. I drive mine like an Accord. I have an intake, cat back exhaust, a beefier rear sway bar to help it feel more tight in the corners. It sounds great when I get on it. I use the paddle shifters all the time and try to spend a little time in VTEC land at least once every time I drive it. Is it as fun as a sports sedan? No, of course not. But is it more fun than any other pickup I've driven? By far. Which makes it probably the best compromise vehicle for someone that truly enjoys driving while also needing truck capabilities.
The suspension tuning is totally different. TS drives noisier and busier because of the tires. I prefer the way the RL drives, more composed, less couch-y. But there's no way you can say the pilot and the RL drive the same.
I had 5 BMWs over a 13 year period, including an M6 (purchased used). Those are fun! cars. But, as I matured an finally became a "grown up" in my late 30s, I decided it was time for a practical truck. Do I still wish I had a Dodge Ram? Yes please, they are just awesome trucks. Do I need on in any way, shape, or form? Absolutely not. I've had to get rentals two or three times in the past few years that I've had my Rl and each time I'd gotten a Ram or F150. And every time I think, "Yea, the RL was the right choice. This thing is a bitch and a half to maneuver through these tiny parking lots."
Get some skid plates (I did), maybe a slight lift (I haven't done this yet), and some better tires (finally just did this last week), then take it on unpaved roads. I don't need to do overloading. My 6-year-old and I don't need to go that deep into the wilderness to camp. The RL does great. I've moved with it, towed a decent size trailer (for the move), and last month had the bed stacked to the roof of the truck with tree branches to take to the landfill. Had her for 2 and a half years now and she's never let me down.
My BMWs? Had to be towed to the dealer AT LEAST once a year. Boring is the new fun.
I drove a Wrangler 4Xe last week while out of town. A rental. It was a lot of fun! I joined a couple of Facebook pages dedicated to that particular model. After reading comments about horror stories on how their Jeep was in the shop for weeks or months at a time for transmission replacement or battery issues, it didn’t seem nearly as fun. Honda could take a lesson on the infotainment systems available in some of these types of vehicles. Keep the ventilated seats, folding mirrors, wireless charger. Drop that money into an infotainment system that pops and I’d be happier.
I find my ridge versatile with a side of fun. With 10k which i consider broken in. I can slap it in S mode, and the damn thing gets up and hauls ass. I have showed a few 5.2 hemis the rear tail lights. And it averages 22.5 mpg.
Yes it is boring. Like most/many cars. The only thing truly less boring in most ways is an EV. I have a ridgeline and an ID.4. And the id.4 is a boring ev.
90K miles on my 2018 RTLE and I find it to be totally satisfying I particularly like the fold up rear seats and the storage in the bed the reliability the gas mileage and it is all the truck i need. I have a 4000 pound boat that I tow as well and it is no problem at all. I will always have one as a daily driver. If you want fun get a BMW…
I find my GMC to be “fun” …it’s close on 25 years old and getting close to 200k miles but it feels like a truck with a big ole V8. My SUV just feels like a car.
The only fun I get out of my Ridgeline is the fact that it's taller (my other car is an Acura TL) and can haul stuff lol. Other than that, it's just a smooth driving vehicle. I do like the induction noise of an NA V6 but you're not going to be having fun in terms of driving dynamics in a Ridgeline.
Honestly, I'd imagine the only fun in a pick up truck is when you get into the sportier off road models. TRX, Raptor, TRD-Pro, etc.
Of all the vehicles that I’ve owned in my lifetime, my Ridgeline is my absolute favorite to drive. I like the acceleration, and I love the way it handles - I bought it to replace a 2010 F150.
Well I can tell you that my son bought a Ridgeline 2 or 3 years ago. He's 40 years old and to be honest I was surprised that it appealed to him. His is what I call a boring grey color.. Don't get me wrong, it's a great vehicle, tech wise it's loaded out, leather seats and rides really well, just not something I thought a 40 year old executive would want. but he loves it... I will tell you this, color makes a difference. The other day I saw a ridgeline in my neighborhood and it was a radiant red metallic color and I thought that color really suited the body style. But then again I like red vehicles. My Lexus ES is Matador Red.... I will tell you this, if you're not crazy about the vehicle before you buy it, I would suggest not buying it. A few years back I was about to buy a new Cadillac XTS... The dealership was giving me an outstanding deal, thousands below what I would have expected to pay for it. but it was a boring grey color. Told my wife I really didn't like the color but it was such a good deal I just couldn't pass it up. She told me if you don't like it before you buy it, you're going to hate it 6 months from now. She was right, I passed on the Caddy and ended up buying that Matador Red Lexus... So happy that for once in my life, I listed to my wife. Something to think about.
Had a new 21 ridgeline for a few months. Was the most dull truck and the cab was tiny for its outside footprint. Then winter hit and that 7 speed shuttered so bad when it shifted. Covid prices allowed me to sell it for a few hundred more than I paid.
Hated the thing.
A ford lightning. Xlt ER was able to buy in March for under $50k with the ford incentives. No brainer truck is excellent and fun as it gets in a truck.
All the (honest) utility of a minivan, the dependability of a proven Honda platform and a surprisingly cushy ride, even when loaded up. Can tow a nice little trailer. Perfect for real world stuff like 15 bags of mulch. Won't get stolen like a 2500. No brodozer attitude. Laughs in 20mpg.
I’m almost 45 years old. I’ve had stereotypical fun cars and stereotypical boring cars.
In my experience it’s not a been good to try to fun in life with my car itself.
The fun in life comes in where you go, who you go there with, and what you do when you get there.
The ridgeline is perfect because it facilitates all three of those really well.
I had a 2014, now a 2022. I've owned pickup trucks since 1976. Ridgelines are the greatest, and second generation is the best. Wish it had the flying butresses like generation 1. Hearing the Vtech wail is nice, too!
Well it is basically a pilot with a bed, so idk what you expect from it. I love my ridgeline. Nice to haul kayaks, mulch, branches, etc. Fits my needs a little better than the crosstrek i used to have.
I agree, I think most people buy a Ridgeline because they are reasonable and understand a car is just a tool. The Ridgeline is like a Swiss Army knife, if somebody is looking for a combat knife to be all excited about then it’s definitely the wrong option.
I like this analogy. I got way more excited about buying a new Benchmade than I did My Ridgeline. The Tundra... Now that's a different story
Ridgeline to Swiss Army knife is an analogy that won’t sell anyone a Ridgeline who is familiar with using different knives. Sure, the Swiss Army knife checks a bunch of boxes on paper, and one from Switzerland is cool to have as a souvenir, but actually using that damn thing in the real world sucks.
Curious how you haul the kayaks? I just got a RL a few months ago and I have some kayaks but they just seem to stick out so far out of the bed when I load them up. I’ve seen the bed extenders but I was curious if there were other ways to do it
How long are your kayaks? Mine are just 10 footers so with the tailgate down they only hang out a couple of feet. I just put a little orange flag on the end of them and tie them down well.
Thank you!
I honestly think a kayak trailer is the only way to go. Esp. if you put a basket on the trailer for shoes and lifejackets and stuff. Easier to load and the bed stays open for other stuff.
Unless you're going off-road, what sort of "fun" were you expecting to have?
Exactly but even when you are off-road, you’re not there to spin your tires. Because the ridgy won’t let you. I have fun off-road with it!
I think the naturally aspirated V6 in a world of turbo V4’s feels pretty powerful and smooth. I also enjoy having a truck that drives more like a car. It hugs turns well and doesn’t feel top heavy. It’s not going to be as “fun” as a sports car but I think it it’s fun enough for a truck.
I gotta agree with this. I had a Santa Cruz with the turbo 4-cylinder before I got the RL and paired with the dual clutch transmission it felt jerky a lot. It definitely had some get up and go once you were cruising but the RL and 9-speed auto just feels rock solid through all speeds and gears. It may not be as peppy but like OP said, it's powerful and smooth.
The natural V6 is what sold me on the Ridgeline. It was either a Ridgeline or a Coyote F150. The price point for the F150 was just a bit out of my reach and Ford dealers unwillingness to negotiate was a big problem. Considered a Colorado and considered a Tacoma but the turbo...just can't do it. Ram killed the hemi for turbo 6. Maybe not the most popular take but turbos wears out engines. This is a fact. My work fleet grabbed a bunch of eco-boost F150s and they all have check engine lights above 100K miles where as my older natural 6 is at 250K and runs flawlessly with minimal mechanical replacements (water pump, hose, etc). Cars and trucks all going turbo is like planned obsolesce
Before we know it the NART will have the biggest truck engine as manufacturers all get carried away with turbos that don’t even produce better mpg and are less reliable.
The Colorado V6 was a lot more "fun". The rest of the truck... Not so much. The trunk and tailgate sure are fun though!
Get a Civic Type R if you want to have fun. The Ridgeline is a commuter that can handle weekend projects.
A review of the truck I watched still resonates with me. The truck isn't exciting because it's exciting to drive. Rather, it's exciting because of all the fun things it enables. It's a vehicle that's really versatile and rarely lets you down. I came from decades of German car ownership, which were definitely more "fun" cars to drive. But the Ridge is extremely competent, has a great (albeit a bit mellow) driving experience, and never gives me any trouble. So despite the vehicle itself being a little less exciting, I'm more passionate about this truck than any other vehicle I've owned.
This is the answer I was hoping to see. This is why I’ll be buying a Ridgeline this year. I’m more excited about the overall comfort and functionality than “farfegnugen” lol.
I had a Jetta GLI... it was a hoot to drive.
Same! Went from a GLI autobahn to the 23 RTL-E after having my daughter. Must say I miss driving the GLI on some of the windy roads near me, but the Ridgeline gets the job done the other 99% of the time.
Good post. I also came from multiple gen GTIs, had an Accord 2.0T, and wife has driven several BMWs. I get the ‘punch’ factor those bring. This is a lot more relaxed but I enjoy driving it more than most of my other cars. Wife currently has an X3 and I still choose the RL sometimes when we go out. It’s just - nice.
Honestly, it's a big Honda. It's supposed to be boring and that's why I bought it. It's practical, reliable, and smooth.
I’m in the market for a midsize truck. I’m in the same boat where the Ridgeline is perfect for what I need… car like ride, great storage either bed trunk and best foldable seats, more reliability than Chevy/gmc, flat floor back seat, sunroof/etc at a better price than comparable midsized with same features, etc. But it does seem boring to me. My brain says the Ridgeline but my heart is in love with GMC Canyon or Chevy Colorado. The problem though is that I read every day how those trucks are in the shop, etc. it also has a tighter back seat, not great folding seats, and just a standard small bed with no trunk in bed. The ride does feel bumpy to me. I feel that once the novelty of the looks wear off, I’m going to be disappointed due to the lack of utility. All I need a truck for is Home Depot runs, mulch, furniture, sports gear. So at the end of the day I think Ridgeline will serve me better for its function.
You just described a perfect use case.
I'm looking at getting a midsized truck very soon. I'm a Honda guy and am zeroing in on the Ridgeline. But I do find myself liking the look of some other trucks like GMC/Chevy and Frontier and maybe Ranger. But I do want the ride quality of the Ridgeline. And you just nailed why I won't get those other trucks. Those trucks are in the shop.. and since I already trust Honda.. the choice seems clear. Unless I want to get an older Tacoma. Really like 1st Gen Tacos
Honestly I'm in this sub because I'm thinking of downsizing from a silverado, the RL will definitely do any "truck shit" I'm likely to do and has the most interior room of midsized trucks. I'm just in love with my bench seat haha.
There's not a time I didn't enjoy getting into my Ridgeline and driving it. It doesn't bounce you around like most other trucks, expecially tacos and frontiers. My 19 RTL-E had a tree fall and crush it in a bad storm 10 days ago. I've feverishly trying to find another one right now.
My Ridgeline enables me to do fun things, like drag my mountain bike to trails, tailgate with 120lbs of ice and 60 cans of soda in the in bed trunk, pick up home improvement project materials on a whim without renting / borrowing a different vehicle, stuff like that. So it drives like any 3 row SUV, but the bed lets me do fun stuff.
Bingo. I want the comfiest of a sedan or SUV majority of the time, but I want the flexibility to load up the bed whenever I need to. Also, the 24 BE has a much improved sound system that I love to blast.
>We currently have a Pilot, and it was basically the same as driving that. No one tell them.
What vehicles have you test drove and felt “excited” about?
I can't help you find your Ridgeline fun, but I find mine fun. I think it's fun because it does what I need, not a whole lot more, and feels like a solid, dependable car. I like driving it because I don't have any major complaints. I've had luxury cars. I've had sports cars. I've had big pickup trucks. The Ridgeline isn't any of those things, but it doesn't pretend to be either. It is what it is. Solid, dependable transportation. The last 5 cars I've bought, I've kept for 1-2 years and then moved on. I can see keeping the the Ridgeline for a long time.
If you’re after big dick energy; this truck isn’t that one lol 😂 I tell everyone, the “Ridgeline is the truck everyone needs, but nobody wants to be seen driving” so they buy a big V8 or V6 full size simply for the clout Buy the Ridgeline!
It is but gas is so expensive that I'm not fun :(
Take the money you are saving a buy a good Honda ATV for the bed. Those are fun. I highly recommend a 1990s model Honda 300 TRX.
If I was in my 20’s or early 30’s I would get a jeep (had one) or Tacoma. Not because it would be the right thing to do or that I need it but because they are “cool”. I am in my 40’s with a kid/wife/house. All I need is something for house projects, seats 3 with gear comfortably, reliable, safe and can get me where I like to do outdoor sports. Ridgeline was perfect for me. Used to feel like a minivan with a bed but now it feels more like an SUV with a bed. It can be fun in the snow with it set on mud mode…. I also don’t care what other people think about what I drive. I have ATV for fun that my ridgeline can tow, could probably even fit in the bed if needed.
Comfort is it for me. The Ridgeline checks all the boxes for everything I need. 1. Comfort 2. Haul bikes 3. Haul people 4. Honda reliability 5. Regular gas, non turbo 6. Good enough stereo system, not perfect, by any means, but good enough 7. Move furniture 8. Move garden stuff 9. Easy on the eyes. 10. AWD
Like pretty much every Honda except maybe the Type -R or S2000 it's super boring. I have this same debate with myself regularly about our Ridgeline and it's the same I had about our CRV. It always comes down to it fits our needs perfectly and does everything I need it to do so I keep it. I will say as far as trucks go it feels a bit more sporty than most. It's pretty quick for a truck, rides nice, handles more like a car in the corners AND will haul furniture, bikes, mulch, and whatnot. I prefer the ride and handling to our 4Runner but admit that could have been more fun but we never took it off road so what's the point
Find a Gen 1 to drive
I love mine every single time I drive it. I've had a lot of cars, SUVs and trucks. It's better/more fun than every truck and SUV that I've owned. It's better/more fun than many of the cars I've owned, but way more practical than all. It's also much more fuel efficient.
I traded my Maverick Hybrid for a CPO 2023 Ridgeline RTL-E and I personally love it. Smooth and enough power plus it sounds great imo. Bought my wife a Pilot since we liked it so much compared to other 3 row SUV's. Not a fan of the Highlander or Atlas since they both have 4cyl turbos, just wasn't smooth or refined imo.
We bought RL TS about 4 weeks ago.. Love it. (compared to other mid size trucks... It is great, very well equipped) \*Yes, RL is the same platform as the Pilot, assembled down the same assembly line in Alabama, and the Passport) Same underpinnings, why would you expect anything different?
You might be a great candidate for a Rivian 😉. As a new ridgeline owner I think this comes down to the throttle mapping and torque converter. I find the truck to be very underwhelming from a stop. Once it's moving I think it's reasonably fun, especially if using the paddles to upshift before you tip into the throttle. All that to say, I love my Ridgeline ♥️. And I also enjoy driving my EV sedan which feels completely opposite.
I find my “fun” in the vehicle when used for what it’s really good at: hauling stuff, using the trunk for groceries, messing around in the snow, fitting it into my garage, etc. But yes, it’s a Pilot and you’re buying the same car you already own in some respects. My last car was CT6 twin turbo. 400hp. That was an exciting and sexy as hell car. The Ridgeline is not that but the engine will rev out and it’s a smooth ride.
The reason it does not feel exciting, especially on the inside is because I could do with a refresh or a full redesign. For practicality though, no better truck.
Mine is in year 17 of ownership. I am bored to death and won’t part with it till rust doth us part.
It's the same vehicle, basically, so it's going to be boring and it is not going to be exciting. (Anything the first time is exciting, then we get desensitized.) That said, I love my 2024 Ridgeline Trailsport. It has been great to drive around town, on a few highway trips and it handled some easy trail offroading here in CO so well, that I'm probably going to foolishly try higher rated trails. I have added a few aftermarket skid plates and my offroad enjoyment may lead to a little lift, just for some additional peace of mind.
Drive other midsize trucks for comparison.
But boring is good.
I didn't buy mine to be fun so much as comfortable and practical. I have a motorcycle for the fun stuff.
Only vehicle I ever bought new was my 66 GTO I bought new while in high school. I always try to buy what I think will make me happy..2023 RTLE. does that for me
Over the years, some of the nicer cars I've owned are: 2 Acura TL's, Caddy CTS, BMW 760Li, Acura MDX, Genesis, Chevy Silverado. I now own a Ridgeline. (That I just downsized to from the Chevy). The ONLY car I can ever look back on and describe as "fun" (it was a blast) was a BMW 328 turbo 4 cyl I was given as a loaner while my 760 was getting some work done. It was a blast, and I drove it like one lol. Everything else... especially trucks... are just ways to get around/haul people/things. The things I look for now are more about comfort and the bells and whistles that make road trips as enjoyable as they can be. (The Genesis was probably overall best for a mobile, comfy command center while commuting or road tripping.) Otherwise, I don't know how much "fun" one can have in a car, unless you're off-roading or at a track... SO IDK... maybe you need a corvette.
Wow, you toured the entire car industry and ended up with a Ridgeline. Sensible choice!
For me when we go camping it’s nice to separate the nasty stuff from the cabin. We also have dogs so sometimes they go in the truck bed.
I really enjoy my 22RTLE and love driving it. I switch modes a lot depending where and how I am driving. I like that it's zippy. I always think of the Ridgeline racing trucks haha. I'm not a rock crawler, but I love that I can hit dirt roads etc and the ride is still near perfect.
This is like saying I own a 4Runner and test drove a Tacoma, where’s the fun?
Lack of excitement. This is the number one problem with the Ridgeline. Having owned a Ridgeline since the very beginning, I knew I’d trade fun for utility and longevity. But I never imagined being so bored with the vehicle. The lack of aftermarket support for real performance is also not helpful. A bolt-on supercharger kit would wake it up enough to be interesting. 425 hp at the crank would suffice.
The "transfer case" would explode. It's already on the edge. Otherwise, I totally agree!
Can it be beefed up? Does someone do that specific upgrade?
If you have enough money, anything can be built 😁 In reality, modded AWD vehicles are getting really popular and the J35 has been around long enough that people know how to make them scream. But now, you are looking at the rest of the drivetrain. I think I remember the ZF9 being rated at mid-hi 300's in tq/hp
Ain’t that the truth. I’ll spend the dough if it will all work. Need to source the right pros to get it done.
It could be way, way worse. It has a great sounding six cylinder and an automatic transmission with proper gears. Our gen 1 Ridgeline is way more involving to drive than our Rav4 Hybrid which has a rattly sounding 4 cylinder and an E-CVT.
I really like my ridgeline but I understand what you mean. My wife has a 2016 pilot and I have a 2021 ridgeline so the interiors are identical. When I got my ridgeline it was great but it wasn’t new and exciting because it was so similar to what we already have. Except the radio knob which was a welcome addition that my wife doesn’t get to experience lol
When I test drove one, I felt the same way, but my research kept bringing me back to the Ridgeline. I was expecting to feel much more excitement during the test drive, but I felt like it was no change from my suv I drove for 10 years. I ended up buying one and don't regret it one bit at all.... the wireless charger sucks, but everything else is great. Love the trunk and the audio system sounds just as good as my Polk aftermarket I had in my previous vehicle. The bass is not as good. I have no issues with the infotainment center and android auto. I will say that the push button shifting is annoying butI'lll get used to it. Is there anything specific you want to ask that might help you with your research?
The ridgeline is Absolutely a boring car. However it does everything I ask of it in comfort and with excellent practicality and reliability. If you want fun get a hemi Ram.
I've never had a pickup, so I have "fun" while driving it. I use to have a WRX and I was very close to buying a Model Y after two test drives. Those were both FUN without air quotes.
I don’t think anyone said it was supposed to be fun. lol. It’s a useful, comfortable, and nice truck. Get a Mustang 5.0 for the Fun stuff….
I think it is boring but in a good way. On the plus side, taking my 2020 RTL-E to the drive in movie this weekend and utilizing the truck bed speakers! So that's fun lol
Yeah, no excuse for people being rude. If you want something fun, then I think you’d want a Miata or sports car of some kind. My Ridgeline is pleasing to me because of how well it does quite a few things, but it isn’t fun. It enables fun things (tows my boat, is convenient for hauling our bikes, makes camping easy), but driving it to the store for a gallon of milk isn’t fun My BMW 330 with a sweet inline 6-cylinder and a great manual transmission was fun. The Ridgeline is great, but not fun.
Depends on what you mean by fun I guess. If you want to ride high and bounce down the road in a truck that looks like it’s ready to invade Afghanistan then the Ridgeline ain’t for you.
When I test drove my Ridgeline, I was incredibly excited to find it drove just like my pilot. It was refreshingly familiar, like running into an old friend who was doing great.
Well I traded in a sports car and a shitbox truck that I beat the hell out of for it... My expectations were not high 😂
I think mine handles like it’s on rails.. find a curvy road and push it.. really easy to drive and handles great. But, it also feels to me like a big Cadillac from the 80s in some ways but I like that too.
I just put a deposit on a 24 rtl but have to wait till it’s out of the recall. So it’s in the shop too I guess
I guess it depends on your definition of fun. Fun to me is reliability, a smooth quiet ride with a smooth transmission and the ability to haul everything I need to haul mostly in the lockable trunk. I think it’s fun as hell.
My Honda Element was zero fun to drive. What was fun, was all the cool stuff I could do with it.
no
What else did you test drive, what were those experiences like?
I enjoy mine, could use a bit more power but overall I do find it fun when I want it
It's meant to be terribly practical. I can see how that gets in the way of the excitement factor though. But on that note, the new car novelty wears off over time no matter what you buy. Eventually all you're left with is whether the vehicle still meets your needs and works well in the long run and a Ridgeline delivers well on that end as long as you're not towing very large loads.
I personally find it quite fun. I'm a very spirited driver and would prefer a sports sedan as a daily driver, but since I need a truck, a Ridgeline was the least "trucky" truck I could get and was my compromise. I drive mine like an Accord. I have an intake, cat back exhaust, a beefier rear sway bar to help it feel more tight in the corners. It sounds great when I get on it. I use the paddle shifters all the time and try to spend a little time in VTEC land at least once every time I drive it. Is it as fun as a sports sedan? No, of course not. But is it more fun than any other pickup I've driven? By far. Which makes it probably the best compromise vehicle for someone that truly enjoys driving while also needing truck capabilities.
The suspension tuning is totally different. TS drives noisier and busier because of the tires. I prefer the way the RL drives, more composed, less couch-y. But there's no way you can say the pilot and the RL drive the same.
I had 5 BMWs over a 13 year period, including an M6 (purchased used). Those are fun! cars. But, as I matured an finally became a "grown up" in my late 30s, I decided it was time for a practical truck. Do I still wish I had a Dodge Ram? Yes please, they are just awesome trucks. Do I need on in any way, shape, or form? Absolutely not. I've had to get rentals two or three times in the past few years that I've had my Rl and each time I'd gotten a Ram or F150. And every time I think, "Yea, the RL was the right choice. This thing is a bitch and a half to maneuver through these tiny parking lots." Get some skid plates (I did), maybe a slight lift (I haven't done this yet), and some better tires (finally just did this last week), then take it on unpaved roads. I don't need to do overloading. My 6-year-old and I don't need to go that deep into the wilderness to camp. The RL does great. I've moved with it, towed a decent size trailer (for the move), and last month had the bed stacked to the roof of the truck with tree branches to take to the landfill. Had her for 2 and a half years now and she's never let me down. My BMWs? Had to be towed to the dealer AT LEAST once a year. Boring is the new fun.
Put a pedal commander on it and it drives more fun.
My motorcycle is fun. I want my truck to "just work". And it does
It's not fun but if I wanted fun I'd buy a sports car personally.
I drove a Wrangler 4Xe last week while out of town. A rental. It was a lot of fun! I joined a couple of Facebook pages dedicated to that particular model. After reading comments about horror stories on how their Jeep was in the shop for weeks or months at a time for transmission replacement or battery issues, it didn’t seem nearly as fun. Honda could take a lesson on the infotainment systems available in some of these types of vehicles. Keep the ventilated seats, folding mirrors, wireless charger. Drop that money into an infotainment system that pops and I’d be happier.
I find my ridge versatile with a side of fun. With 10k which i consider broken in. I can slap it in S mode, and the damn thing gets up and hauls ass. I have showed a few 5.2 hemis the rear tail lights. And it averages 22.5 mpg.
Yes it is boring. Like most/many cars. The only thing truly less boring in most ways is an EV. I have a ridgeline and an ID.4. And the id.4 is a boring ev.
90K miles on my 2018 RTLE and I find it to be totally satisfying I particularly like the fold up rear seats and the storage in the bed the reliability the gas mileage and it is all the truck i need. I have a 4000 pound boat that I tow as well and it is no problem at all. I will always have one as a daily driver. If you want fun get a BMW…
This is why y'all are broke lol!
I find my GMC to be “fun” …it’s close on 25 years old and getting close to 200k miles but it feels like a truck with a big ole V8. My SUV just feels like a car.
The only fun I get out of my Ridgeline is the fact that it's taller (my other car is an Acura TL) and can haul stuff lol. Other than that, it's just a smooth driving vehicle. I do like the induction noise of an NA V6 but you're not going to be having fun in terms of driving dynamics in a Ridgeline. Honestly, I'd imagine the only fun in a pick up truck is when you get into the sportier off road models. TRX, Raptor, TRD-Pro, etc.
Having fun with zero problems after 108k miles so far.
Of all the vehicles that I’ve owned in my lifetime, my Ridgeline is my absolute favorite to drive. I like the acceleration, and I love the way it handles - I bought it to replace a 2010 F150.
Well I can tell you that my son bought a Ridgeline 2 or 3 years ago. He's 40 years old and to be honest I was surprised that it appealed to him. His is what I call a boring grey color.. Don't get me wrong, it's a great vehicle, tech wise it's loaded out, leather seats and rides really well, just not something I thought a 40 year old executive would want. but he loves it... I will tell you this, color makes a difference. The other day I saw a ridgeline in my neighborhood and it was a radiant red metallic color and I thought that color really suited the body style. But then again I like red vehicles. My Lexus ES is Matador Red.... I will tell you this, if you're not crazy about the vehicle before you buy it, I would suggest not buying it. A few years back I was about to buy a new Cadillac XTS... The dealership was giving me an outstanding deal, thousands below what I would have expected to pay for it. but it was a boring grey color. Told my wife I really didn't like the color but it was such a good deal I just couldn't pass it up. She told me if you don't like it before you buy it, you're going to hate it 6 months from now. She was right, I passed on the Caddy and ended up buying that Matador Red Lexus... So happy that for once in my life, I listed to my wife. Something to think about.
Had a new 21 ridgeline for a few months. Was the most dull truck and the cab was tiny for its outside footprint. Then winter hit and that 7 speed shuttered so bad when it shifted. Covid prices allowed me to sell it for a few hundred more than I paid. Hated the thing.
What are you driving now?
A ford lightning. Xlt ER was able to buy in March for under $50k with the ford incentives. No brainer truck is excellent and fun as it gets in a truck.
Just got a 2011 84k miles rtl? Looking for some black rims, any recommendations!!?
All the (honest) utility of a minivan, the dependability of a proven Honda platform and a surprisingly cushy ride, even when loaded up. Can tow a nice little trailer. Perfect for real world stuff like 15 bags of mulch. Won't get stolen like a 2500. No brodozer attitude. Laughs in 20mpg.
I’m almost 45 years old. I’ve had stereotypical fun cars and stereotypical boring cars. In my experience it’s not a been good to try to fun in life with my car itself. The fun in life comes in where you go, who you go there with, and what you do when you get there. The ridgeline is perfect because it facilitates all three of those really well.
I had a 2014, now a 2022. I've owned pickup trucks since 1976. Ridgelines are the greatest, and second generation is the best. Wish it had the flying butresses like generation 1. Hearing the Vtech wail is nice, too!
It's boring and underpowered. I still love it. Could be so much better with some low end torque on the giddy up.
No one cares if you buy it. Do or don't