Lets keep in mind that Edmunds attributed this lack of off road performance to the lack of appropriate off road tires on this one part of the course which was a steep grade. I have had very good results in low traction situations(deep sand) with this truck without even engaging VTM-4 lock. I've read other postings where people directly compared the 05 Taco to the Ridgeline on a steep muddy hill, and they thought the RL out performed the Taco. Yeah, the Taco has more than a inch more clearence and 1 second faster 0-60 time on the RL, but that's all it has over the RL.
Show me that damn hill Edmunds, I'll get my truck up it.