[Salish Seagull]

Of the 20+ Hondas I have owned, one of the most surprising was the Honda fit Sport. Even with 105 Hp, it was geared in a way that made it pretty damn fast off the line (but absolutely terrible accelerating starting from say 60) and it handled like a go-cart.

But. Ive said this before, I had the 8 speed dual clutch tranny in an Acura TLX, More gears absolutely suck. When I stomped the gas in that TLX, it would down fast... sure... but no power... then shift down again and then shift down again to the point where I finally got the acceleration I wanted after 3 seconds of waiting. I couldn't imagine how bad a 9 speed would be in a big heavy vehicle like the Ridgeline (and its not even double clutch right???)... you couldn't pay me to take the 9 speed.

My 6 speed ridgeline has exactly the acceleration I want and need at any time.

The ZF-9 can skip gears while downshifting (and upshifting). It does not have to sequence through each and every gear.

 

[nimajneb]

"Honda fit Sport. Even with 105 Hp, it was geared in a way that made it pretty damn fast off the line (but absolutely terrible accelerating starting from say 60) and it handled like a go-cart."

That sounds fun, race it on a short curvy autocross in a parking lot or put gravel tires on it and rally it on a small curvy rallyx course. I rallyed in a '96 Legacy wagon and a early '00s Impreza, both were really fun even they they were slow. Can't go too fast on short curvy tracks anyways. It's really fun.

Edited the incorrect quote, I don't know how to correctly quote in forums apparently.

 

[ToyTruck]

When I put heavier 265/60/18 tires on my 2020 RTL-E, it felt like I had to keep hitting the gas just to keep it moving. My 2022 feels pretty responsive due to the stock wheel/tire combo and I "taught" my transmission how I like to drive.

 

[DTHughes]

Maybe it's time to sell it and move on?

 

[Madtiger11]

Maybe it's time to sell it and move on?

Why? Because I am not in denial like you? 😆

 

[lwlkr1992]

I’d agree with the apples and oranges comment. Ironically I traded a ‘21 CRV for my ‘22 Ridgeline. I can see the point about the response, but in my opinion the CVT was horrible. Overall the CRV was noisy and sounded like an angry bumblebee. When I test drove my Ridgeline, it was like a Cadillac. The CRV had no get up and go and to me had a bit more of a lag. I understand these things are subjective, but the only thing I miss about my CRV is the MPG. I needed a larger vehicle because my work requires me to drive my own vehicle and haul parts.

 

[Madtiger11]

I’d agree with the apples and oranges comment. Ironically I traded a ‘21 CRV for my ‘22 Ridgeline. I can see the point about the response, but in my opinion the CVT was horrible. Overall the CRV was noisy and sounded like an angry bumblebee. When I test drove my Ridgeline, it was like a Cadillac. The CRV had no get up and go and to me had a bit more of a lag. I understand these things are subjective, but the only thing I miss about my CRV is the MPG. I needed a larger vehicle because my work requires me to drive my own vehicle and haul parts.

I cannot comment on CRV…have not driven it. Oh yeah, the HRV from 0-60 is slow, no doubt. But that is not why i made this thread. The HRV has no lag to your right leg, whether from stop light or passing on highway, but that may be due to CVT? Sure it is slow but the response to your right foot is what i am talking about. It may not win 0-60 but off the light, it is ”quick” to respond to my right foot.

The RL has a soft get up and go when you press gas pedal, exacerbated by auto-stop/start. And that is because ZF/Honda chose to start in 2nd gear (in Normal mode)…something that other makers only use in their “SNOW” mode and for good reason. And if it is because 1st gear & diff ratio are too low (numerically high), then that is just bad planning by Honda/ZF to compensate for.

Or when i am merging onto highway everyday going to work after a sweeping turn-in, i find that the ZF response in Normal mode to be lacking and soft…and requires me to really push the gas pedal deep just to get enough response from the transmission and thus adequate engine power. So, everyday, i have to remember to push the S-mode button to feel more confident merging. Why do i have to do this? My Acura does fine in normal mode In this same exact situation…power when i need it. My LC is fine but that is apple to orange. And, surprisingly, HRV does great…no need to pound my gas pedal nor wait for transmission to decide (maybe due to CVT?). Despite HRV being slow as heck as pointed out above, the merging aspect is fine. Kept with oncoming traffic without me having to slam the gas pedal nor switch to different mode.

As noted above, the 3.5 V6 is a great responsive engine when it is in the right gear and/or when throttle is on-point. But the throttle tuning and/or ZF tranny just neuters the hell out of this great engine. I get it IF this occurs in ECO mode. I am all for that. But this happens in Normal mode…it is like having ECO and ECO Plus! And then you have S-mode that is too far to the other extreme. And even then only S-mode does not get remembered by the car when you shut it off.

(Note that in the upcoming Acura Integra, i hear that auto-start/stop OFF selection is permanent…so, clearly Honda/Acura understands the absurdity of this feature.)

 

[Harvey Wall]

Perhaps it's not Honda that got it wrong. Perhaps it is the buyer that got it wrong. It happens.

The vehicle I went home with was the vehicle that I test drove. It wasn't a 5 minute around the block test drive. I drove the vehicle in all conditions including on the interstate, both merging and passing, as well as slow traffic, rough side streets etc. I was aware of how the vehicle handled before I decided to buy it and was satisfied with how it performed. I was satisfied with the performance of a couple of other vehicles I test drove as well and found myself disappointed in some of the others. The Honda however ticked off more boxes than the others so my daily driver is sitting in the garage right now.

As for the ZF9, it performs as expected, including merging into traffic or passing slower traffic. After all the Ridfgeline is a truck, just as it't sisters the Pilot and Passport are SUV's not performance vehicles.

 

[181804]

Maybe it's time to sell it and move on?

Perhaps it's not Honda that got it wrong. Perhaps it is the buyer that got it wrong. It happens.

Threads which point out (common) complaints about the Ridgeline usually ends up with several people resorting to this type of response. The 'laggy' throttle response on the Ridgeline is well known and several third parties make devices to address it.

Just because someone points out an issue such as this (or the outdated audio system as another example) it does not mean they chose the wrong vehicle or should sell the truck. It's simply highlighting areas that could be improved to make the Ridgeline even better.

 

[Legeis]

Generally agree with that.
I think the only differences here are that…unlike the weakness of the infotainment system…the trucks efficiency, acceleration, merging, transmission, braking, appearance, seat comfort, visibility, etc.…those are ALL things a buyer can actually assess and accept as they research then test drive then sign the piece of paper. I read the original post using a comparison to a four-cylinder vehicle as an flawed comparison/complaint…”apple and oranges”. But the OP’er clarified this somewhat.
I know for sure that when I bought my Ridgeline, I made an assessment on everything I could see and research before and after my test drive. The weak infotainment system was not as obvious as the transmission/merging or comfort/ride that’s for dang sure. I also know that I have no issues with the transmission or how the truck merges in traffic or the eco mode. Lucky me I guess.
Peace.

 

[Madtiger11]

Generally agree with that.
I think the only differences here are that…unlike the weakness of the infotainment system…the trucks efficiency, acceleration, merging, transmission, braking, appearance, seat comfort, visibility, etc.…those are ALL things a buyer can actually assess and accept as they research then test drive then sign the piece of paper. I read the original post using a comparison to a four-cylinder vehicle as an flawed comparison/complaint…”apple and oranges”. But the OP’er clarified this somewhat.
I know for sure that when I bought my Ridgeline, I made an assessment on everything I could see and research before and after my test drive. The weak infotainment system was not as obvious as the transmission/merging or comfort/ride that’s for dang sure. I also know that I have no issues with the transmission or how the truck merges in traffic or the eco mode. Lucky me I guess.
Peace.

Well aware that I did not buy a rocket. The pluses of the RL overrules the above issues for sure. Like I said on first page, RL is one of the best car I have ever owned. For my family, it is more valuable than my LC. So, sorry to disappoint a few here, I am not selling it anytime soon.

But it is not to say that RL is perfect. And me complaining about it should not cause anyone’s pantries to get twisted. It is just that…a discussion regarding an issue I perceive. YMMV. And apparently I am not alone in having this issue(s).

 

[Legeis]

Panties not twisted here, at all. I’ll post pics if you want proof.

 

[Madtiger11]

Panties not twisted here, at all. I’ll post pics if you want proof.

I don’t have that issue because I am not wearing any…..

 

[DTHughes]

Panties not twisted here, at all. I’ll post pics if you want proof.

LOL! You can always the ignore button...I do.

 

[Madtiger11]

LOL! You can always the ignore button...I do.

Thank you. Now I don’t have to read your post over and over again asking when I am going to sell! 👍

 

[14v6]

Posters on this forum are quick to provide cover for the RL's shortcomings and attack the poster who raises a problem/issue. Nothing new.

Honda has got the 9 speed to the point where it can last while hitting internal targets at the expense of the drive. At first, I thought the 9 speed was much more consistent than the 6 speed, no mushy shifts but the downshifts with the paddles were a disappointment. Increasing speed with downshifts because of a dog clutch gear is ridiculous. It does the job but I expect more from a Honda. The Passport was the last Honda I wanted to try (I had a CVT fail on a CRV and wasn't interested in turbo) I knew about the 9 speed could be an issue and if it was a dud I'd junk it. There's lots of stuff to like with the PP and Honda addressed a few wants with the PP that it hasn't with the RL yet but I did find it to be slow/slug like. It sometimes has dead spots in power delivery which should not be the case with 9 ratios. I thought that was due to its weight and being high up in the wind. Only until after I drove other vehicles did I realize the real issue is throttle response. You have to get it over 4k to show how good it can be. The Honda V6 deserves a better match. Hopefully the 10 speed will solve this without creating other issues. The only Honda auto trans I liked was the 5 speed in an Odyssey but the best car I had was the Accord V6 even with it's jerky 6 speed, It was always effortless and could be smooth if you drove it right.

 

[OmahaJeff]

I think everything that could have been said has been said, but my problems with this thread are A) the clickbait title and B) the misleading comparisons between a truck and a sedan or small SUV (even though those are slower).

I find the transmission just about perfect both for daily driving and for towing. It was implemented a certain way to achieve the things most people need. (And as said above, no way to increase acceleration without increasing gas consumption. It’s chemistry, and common sense.)

Pretty regularly someone on the forum comes out and thrashes the transmission. That’s OK, just be aware it’s your opinion. Most people aren’t looking for a rocket or an HSV or a CRV or another other V except a truck that drives well.

If you need to go faster, put it in S or don’t be shy with the long pedal. It’ll move.

Of course this is my opinion. It is also my opinion that Honda could sell a quarter million of these things if they could just get them out to market, the demand is so high right now. Even with a 9-speed transmission that some people find laggy.

 

[Legeis]

If you need to go faster, put it in S or don’t be shy with the long pedal. It’ll move.

That’s well said.

 

[Madtiger11]

I think everything that could have been said has been said, but my problems with this thread are A) the clickbait title and B) the misleading comparisons between a truck and a sedan or small SUV (even though those are slower).

I find the transmission just about perfect both for daily driving and for towing. It was implemented a certain way to achieve the things most people need. (And as said above, no way to increase acceleration without increasing gas consumption. It’s chemistry, and common sense.)

Pretty regularly someone on the forum comes out and thrashes the transmission. That’s OK, just be aware it’s your opinion. Most people aren’t looking for a rocket or an HSV or a CRV or another other V except a truck that drives well.

If you need to go faster, put it in S or don’t be shy with the long pedal. It’ll move.

Of course this is my opinion. It is also my opinion that Honda could sell a quarter million of these things if they could just get them out to market, the demand is so high right now. Even with a 9-speed transmission that some people find laggy.

If you have an issue with this “clickbait” and misleading comparison then why are you still here? Hint: i was not aiming for clickbait…..and seriously, why would i want clickbait in THIS relatively small forum?! LOL

You’re the guy who equate 0-60 time with driving experiences, right? A Camry V6 can go faster than a Miata, right? Which do you think drives better? My Land Cruiser can go faster than a Miata from 0-60…but which do you think feels better around town?

A more responsive throttle may not lead to significant increase consumption of fuel. That all depends on the driver’s right foot, right? Again, Honda HRV is NOT a sports car nor a sports SUV. It has a shitty 0-60 time.

Using S mode just to merge or dipping into the long pedal…that’s just an excuse for a poorly calibrated throttle and/or tranny.

In this market, Pontiac Aztec could sell like hotcakes! Or a Ford Pinto.

 

[Happy Tom]

When I put heavier 265/60/18 tires on my 2020 RTL-E, it felt like I had to keep hitting the gas just to keep it moving. My 2022 feels pretty responsive due to the stock wheel/tire combo and I "taught" my transmission how I like to drive.

I think that you are on to something with respect to the "learning" transmission. If driven from good MPG for some time it's going to upshift early and drive in a sedate manner. If driver is suddenly looking for a more sporty experience the paddle shifters will be needed until the transmission control module adjusts to the driver's need for speed.