cars.com 2008 Ridgeline review:

[ChimChim]

Best review I have read for our truck. The reviewer might not share the passion for this vehicle we have, BUT the review was accurate, impartial and favorable (I said accurate, right?) I researched this truck and read all the info I could find. I still learned a few things including differences from the PILOT being greater then I assumed.

His comment "arguably the best execution of a pickup for an important type of buyer — those who have adopted the rural American workhorse as the latest alternative people-mover" sums up what I think honda was trying to accomplish.
KUDOS!

[UOVB]

Though it has standard skid plates, it lacks the additional low gear and heavy-duty construction required for serious off-roading.
Is that true?

[geotech]

Originally Posted by UOVB

Though it has standard skid plates, it lacks the additional low gear and heavy-duty construction required for serious off-roading.
Is that true?

As for the first clause, not only NO, but h-e-double hockey sticks NO. Search the term "skid plates" here and see the results!

As for the second part of the sentence, yes it definitely lacks "heavy-duty construction" for even semi-serious (working) off roading.

Although it lacks a traditional "4 low" my RL does have considerable pulling and climbing power in first gear VTM-4 on and VSA off mode.

[weatherman]

Originally Posted by djeaux

Thanks for the pointer, Other-Joe. That particular writer seemed to be fairly literate & fairly fair. One bone of contention for me, of course, is that he consistently refers to Nissan, Toyota & Honda as "Japanese manufacturers." It's interesting, since the Ridgeline is made in Canada & the Titan is made right here in Mississippi. I'm not sure about the Tundra, but isn't it made on this side of the pond, too? I guess my point is that the "Japanese manufacturers" actually seem to care about keeping some jobs in the ole U.S. of A. Maybe that's another point that "Detroit" might emulate.

The Toyota Tundra is also made right here in the USA. To be exact, in Gibson county of southwest Indiana. Not sure if anything else is assembled there. It is a huge plant.

[exA4]

Did anyone expect a heavy-duty off-road truck when they bought their Ridgeline? I sure didn't. I expected a nice comfy, go to the dump, grandkid toting ride that would get me up to Tahoe and back in the winter.
That's exactly what I got.
If Honda wants to build a serious off-road vehicle, I'm sure they can. Probably when they do their diesel engine?
How about on the Element platform?
exA4

[geotech]

Originally Posted by exA4

Did anyone expect a heavy-duty off-road truck when they bought their Ridgeline? I sure didn't. I expected a nice comfy, go to the dump, grandkid toting ride that would get me up to Tahoe and back in the winter.
That's exactly what I got.
If Honda wants to build a serious off-road vehicle, I'm sure they can. Probably when they do their diesel engine?
How about on the Element platform?
exA4

Actually, I expected a medium to light duty truck (the way it was and is advertised).

It was my fault for falling in love with her on our first date. I was smitten. All my friends warned me that she wasn't what I was lookin' for and she would break my heart. At first I ignored those little annoying things that made her less than perfect and then I tried to change her, but alas, I had to fall out of love for reality to finally set in. Now that I truly see her for what she is, I have gained an appreciation for her just the way she is. I must confess that I have made many foolish mistakes while in love. Sometimes I even learn.

[kwoodman]

Originally Posted by geotech

Actually, I expected a medium to light duty truck (the way it was and is advertised).

It was my fault for falling in love with her on our first date. I was smitten. All my friends warned me that she wasn't what I was lookin' for and she would break my heart. At first I ignored those little annoying things that made her less than perfect and then I tried to change her, but alas, I had to fall out of love for reality to finally set in. Now that I truly see her for what she is, I have gained an appreciation for her just the way she is. I must confess that I have made many foolish mistakes while in love. Sometimes I even learn.

At least she won't take you for alimony and half of everything...

[geotech]

Originally Posted by kwoodman

At least she won't take you for alimony and half of everything...

LOL. That has already happened and there ain't nuttin' left.
BTW, why is a tornado and an Arkansas divorce alike? Either way, somebody gonna loose a trailer.

[X-Brawn]

Originally Posted by geotech

LOL. That has already happened and there ain't nuttin' left.
BTW, why is a tornado and an Arkansas divorce alike? Either way, somebody gonna loose a trailer.

I thought it went.

Q: Why is a tornado and a Texas divorce alike? Either way, somebody is going to lose family.

I still love my Ridgeline overall, but I have complaints with the seat fabric and various other small things.