A Honda truck? We were asked that question more often than expected during our testing of the Ridgeline, especially now that it's in its second model year.

Usually, the questions came from those who were not auto buffs. They are generally unimpressed when following a big pickup down the road with a huge diesel under the hood and towing a couple of big horses in a trailer out back. And they pay little attention to the workmen's trucks in white with ladders and tools, and all the things that craftsmen carry with them.

So the Honda Ridgeline will probably not lure anyone out of his Silverado, F350, or big Ram pickups. And Honda wants it that way -- aiming its truck at a different crowd, and we think they hit it smack dab in the middle of the target.

By Ron Amadon, MarketWatch

Click here (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/2007-honda-ridgeline----yogurt/story.aspx?guid=%7B7A1B9264-7F4E-421F-B4B3-7E2B066D3FE8%7D) to read the entire review from Market Watch

And Honda wants it that way -- aiming its truck at a different crowd, and we think they hit it smack dab in the middle of the target.
Exactly! I'm in the middle... Had a ranger that can tow what I need (small 5x8 trailer) but it was not a good comfortable daily driver. I do not need to tug a cement truck around the block, so I do not need a 2500 or 3500 series truck. The RL rides best in class...hands down for comfort, safety, all wheel drive traction second to none! just my .02 cents worth

Honda made a bold, yet educated move to redefine what a Truck is. Honda did their research, held focus groups, analyzed customer behavior and made a forecast of the world ahead.

Look with gas at $3 a gallon and more, it's sensible to think less is more. Sure I may not be able to tow 10,000 lbs, but how many people with trucks capable of that type of towing actually utilize that ability? I'd guess very few need to tow that much.

So if i can average 18 to 19 mpg in my truck and give up a bit of Heavy Duty utility, I'm okay with that. I don't mind 30% to 50% better MPG than the big boys.

I'll argue that most people with trucks never use the majority of the capability that it offers.

I utilize my Ridgeline as a truck frequently and it's still more truck than I typically need.

That yahoo that wrote the article needs to get his facts correct. Talking about the base RTX and the top of the line RTS??:confused:

Just some observations in the write-up.

That yahoo that wrote the article needs to get his facts correct. Talking about the base RTX and the top of the line RTS??:confused:

Just some observations in the write-up.Well, it can get very confusing having only 5 trims (counting NAV), not like the uncountable trims/package combos that Ford/GM/Dodge/Toyota offer... :rolleyes:

They got the target market right. I went from an f-150 to the Ridge. Maybe twice a year I need something bigger. For those occasions, I borrow my father's dump truck. Other than that, this is an all around great truck!