Ground clearance / off road package? Options are good and perhaps if the GenII is a big seller Honda might dabble a bit. It would be pretty unHonda like though. It is highly unlikely that Honda will alter the standard ground clearance or the so called rake that you don't seem to like.
Towing? The shoe string budget of the GenII is probably to blame rather than Honda actively deciding that 5k is enough. Was there a single limiting factor or was it a combination? Was it the unibody? Was it the transmission? AWD system? Brakes? etc, etc. The AWD Pilot has the same tow rating so even with the beefier suspension components and rear architecture they didn't boost the rating. Look to the many things shared between the Pilot and Ridge for the limiting factor(s) Many GenI owners were seriously disappointed that after 10 years there was zero gain in the tow rating. Honda probably hurt themselves here . . . Regardless of the actual tow rating, the GenII without a doubt will tow better at its limits than the GenI and probably better than most of the other midsizers regardless of the official tow ratings.
Front end? Agree that it is way too wussy and Pilot like. Honda shot themselves in the foot there. I also feel the same way about the interior. It looks like it belongs in an Accord. It probably works well but it doesn't belong in a truck. The GenI interior / exterior was quirky but it had some balls. I doubt Honda will butch up the interior but they might work on giving the Ridge a bit more uniqueness on the front.
AWD to 4WD? Front to rear wheel drive? If you think Honda is going to adopt a predominantly rear wheel drive platform you are dreaming. Front wheel drive is basic to the design. The AWD system works beautifully. If you want a 4wd / rear wheel biased pickup then there are plenty of options out there.
Afraid of the 10sp? What do you think will be on most of the BOF mid and full size pickups shortly? Ford is already there. There are plenty of potential advantages with Honda's new 10sp, including improvements to both economy and performance. They are full in on it for the future of their "truck" lineup and we can only hope that they get it right. Just because it has a lot of gears doesn't mean that it will hunt for gears and have abrupt skip shifting. Honda's design looks promising on paper. Transmission's are hugely expensive to develop so there is essentially no way that the Ridge would get something truly unique.
Overall, if the Ridge sells well, they will build upon their blueprint. If it flops Honda will dump it. This makes many of the changes you would like to see unlikely and most certainly not in the 2018 model year. They pretty much ignored the GenI once they put it on the market and changes were mininimal for its 10 year production. A hybrid powertrain (Engine powering front wheels with electric motor(s) for the rear) is probably a possibility but will likely only happen if Honda also puts it in their bread and butter Pilot.
Best to learn to enjoy what you got or go to something else. Tesla might have something cool in a few years . . .
Towing? The shoe string budget of the GenII is probably to blame rather than Honda actively deciding that 5k is enough. Was there a single limiting factor or was it a combination? Was it the unibody? Was it the transmission? AWD system? Brakes? etc, etc. The AWD Pilot has the same tow rating so even with the beefier suspension components and rear architecture they didn't boost the rating. Look to the many things shared between the Pilot and Ridge for the limiting factor(s) Many GenI owners were seriously disappointed that after 10 years there was zero gain in the tow rating. Honda probably hurt themselves here . . . Regardless of the actual tow rating, the GenII without a doubt will tow better at its limits than the GenI and probably better than most of the other midsizers regardless of the official tow ratings.
Front end? Agree that it is way too wussy and Pilot like. Honda shot themselves in the foot there. I also feel the same way about the interior. It looks like it belongs in an Accord. It probably works well but it doesn't belong in a truck. The GenI interior / exterior was quirky but it had some balls. I doubt Honda will butch up the interior but they might work on giving the Ridge a bit more uniqueness on the front.
AWD to 4WD? Front to rear wheel drive? If you think Honda is going to adopt a predominantly rear wheel drive platform you are dreaming. Front wheel drive is basic to the design. The AWD system works beautifully. If you want a 4wd / rear wheel biased pickup then there are plenty of options out there.
Afraid of the 10sp? What do you think will be on most of the BOF mid and full size pickups shortly? Ford is already there. There are plenty of potential advantages with Honda's new 10sp, including improvements to both economy and performance. They are full in on it for the future of their "truck" lineup and we can only hope that they get it right. Just because it has a lot of gears doesn't mean that it will hunt for gears and have abrupt skip shifting. Honda's design looks promising on paper. Transmission's are hugely expensive to develop so there is essentially no way that the Ridge would get something truly unique.
Overall, if the Ridge sells well, they will build upon their blueprint. If it flops Honda will dump it. This makes many of the changes you would like to see unlikely and most certainly not in the 2018 model year. They pretty much ignored the GenI once they put it on the market and changes were mininimal for its 10 year production. A hybrid powertrain (Engine powering front wheels with electric motor(s) for the rear) is probably a possibility but will likely only happen if Honda also puts it in their bread and butter Pilot.
Best to learn to enjoy what you got or go to something else. Tesla might have something cool in a few years . . .