*Motor Trend: 2006 Honda Ridgeline First Road Test [5.5]

[T Mac]

First Test: 2006 Honda Ridgeline

By Chris Walton

[chicago]

Not Bad..............

[shovelhd]

I wonder how fast they were going to get that kind of air.

First hint that the Ridgeline may turn out as a sales dud.

[arteegee]

They drove it like they borrowed it.

[zero]

That was a very even keeled review. It was not overly negative nor was it gushingly positive.

[ridgeman]

I think the review was spot on. It had the same concerns I have had -

Torque steer
V6 adequate but a tad more power would be nice
Price
Could be a giveaway next year on Honda lots

HOWEVER, I like the styling, I like the Honda name, I like the fact that Honda has met with owners, appears to be trying to make this an even greater little truck.

I feel VERY comfortable buying this vehicle at $500 over factory invoice for an RTL w/moonroof. I wouldn't have paid MSRP personally

I have to drive it back 450 miles from the dealer to my house so will let you know if I still feel the same way when I get back. BET I WILL.

AND WHAT THE HELL IS THIS COMPARING THIS TRUCK TO A BAJA

MAYBE IN THE SAME BALL PARK (AT LEAST SAME TOWN ) AS AN AVALANCHE OR FORD BUT A BAJA YA RIGHT

[ridgeman]

Oh ya, and the gas mileage

15,000 miles/year @ $ 2.50/gallon @ 16 (that's what I'll get) = $ 2,350 gas

15,000 miles/year @ $ 2.50/gallon @ 20 (I don't believe it) = $ 1,875.00

SO.....

$ 475 over a year is $ 40 a month extra I will have to pay to have my toy

I'll know in a year if it was worth it. But is Toyota or Nissan any better? (my only other option)

[TXRidge]

I have to laugh a little about the spare tire part in the review (flat tire, trunk has object over it, having to unload object to get spare out of trunk).

Honda did address that issue, though not the greatest idea mind you, but they did put a small hole in the passenger side of the bed where you can externally mount the tire for long distance hauling of materials in the bed... I had wondered about it too, until I picked up the good ole manual and saw it in there.

[shovelhd]

You read the owner's manual? What's the matter with you????

[Ultra-HOG]

For all those NON-Ridgeline owners that whine about the spare tire location as being a big problem, consider where the spare is located on comparable vehicles. Ususlly it is under the vehicle, between the rear axle and the rear bumber, covered with years worth of road debris, and the lowering mechanism is likely to be rusted and inoperable. If you are that concerned about the very, very, very rare times when you might actually need the spare, put it beside you in a seatbelt. If you are going cross country with a bed full of stuff that would really be difficult to unload, plan ahead, (a foreign concept for too many people) and carry the spare elsewhere like TXridge said. If you choose not to relocate it under those conditions and you get a flat, suffer, but dont complain! Sheesh!

I thought that the report was reasonable. I want to see the real long term test reports on the Ridgeline and comparable vehicles. I think that current owners can anticipate what those results will look like. Honda has raised the bar FOR THE MARKET SEGMENT THAT THE RIDGELINE TARGETS.