Well - I wouldn't pretend to speak for everybody else and I think the RL is fine competing with the Tacoma and similar small trucks; I looked at, and test drove, several platforms in the same niche including a Tacoma.

I, for one, am perfectly happy with the looks and couldn't care less about a hybrid version.

 

For me it’s the perfect truck. They don’t need to make major changes just refine what they have. I just hope they don’t replace the silky smooth 6 cyl with 4cyl turbo engine.

 

That's sort of my exactly feeling, that Honda won't spend the $XXX million on a true 3rd gen. But I bet Honda is already on the next CR-V.

 

I want a five-speed manual and a twin turbo V6!

 

Six-speed manual or 10-speed dual clutch automated manual, twin-turbo plug-in hybrid, air conditioned seats, analog clock, third row of seating, level 5 autonomous driving mode w/ Solo Coffee/Beer Run Mode (the SCBRM button the Cybertruck has), lithium banana peel batteries (next gen tech, safer and cheaper), off-road air suspension, and pastel paint and whale skin interior options. There's so much more they could still do, but that's my want list. Or at least a trim with a lift and big tires.

As long as they keep selling a decent amount of Pilots there's always a chance we'll get new models, as we probably all assume any new Ridgelines will continue to be Pilot derivatives. Most every new iteration of every car line is better than the last in many ways, and people buy them regardless of how incremental the advances may be, so if we keep buying them they'll keep making them. Until we see news confirming discontinuation there's reason to hope for a next generation. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

 

In my mind the perfect RL would have a small fast spool turbo making maybe 10 lbs of boost for an easy 350 HP. An 8 speed ZF DCT programmed as well as the 8 speed ZF in the BMW 440i, I know that is possible I owned one, that trans was magic in its smoothness, shift speed and positivity. Than fix those things that should already work but don't I.e. auto high beams, phone charger an a few more. There you have it the perfect RL for not much more money.

 

The ZF 8 speed is for rear wheel drive platforms, not gonna get one in the Ridgeline/Pilot FWD based platform.

 

Do a CRV hybrid truck, an mpg version, not a power version. Honda would put some touches on it that Toyota could never dream of. They'd sell a lot of them. It would align better with all the stuff that Honda preaches like few tow or go offroad. It could be a good daily too and Honda throws the kitchen sink at the CRV so we'd all benefit from a truck version.

Toyota apparently had a Santa Cruz at its facility in Michigan so they may be preparing to enter this space. Now that Tacos are more expensive, there could be room for a 35k hybrid RAV4 truck.

I know the RL had record sales but 50,000 units with money on the hood is not sustainable IMO to significantly improve it to be some derivative of a Pilot. I think what Honda needs first though is a hybrid Pilot.

 

If the G2 has taught Honda anything, it is that a mild facelift (from '20 to '21) can really throttle sales. They just might continue down that path.


Reasons for Honda to adapt the G4 Pilot platform to the Ridgeline:

• updated VSA module that allows low-speed ACC
• larger wheel wells to allow larger tires
• suspension more amenable to vertical adjustment
• 360° camera views
• upgraded iVTM4, including more modes such as "tow" mode
• improved automatic brake control (i.e., "line lock") to improve AWD traction distribution
• really robust skidplates and mounts
• robust recovery points

Reasons for Honda to not adopt G4 Pilot platform for next Ridgeline:

• platform not yet ready for G3 Ridgeline (why else would it be delayed?)*
• Ridgeline budget got re-appropriated to EV R&D
• we should be careful about what we ask for... usually have to give up something to gain something, especially on a limited-run vehicle with matching limited-run budget.

* we saw issues with early Ridgelines that were not expected based on Pilot success, such as 1) rear wiring harness water infiltration, 2) fuel oump diaphragm car wash soap infiltration and 3) cabin water infiltration. All of these issues occurred because there is an open bed instead of an enclosed canopy, and Honda's engineers missed the fact that water always wins when given half a chance.

Anywayz, Honda has little incentive to improve a truck that still has several major advantages over the competition, even with being eight years older. OTOH, the truck market continues to be hot, and Ridgeline sales are generally as strong as they've ever been, if not stronger. If Honda netted a paltry $1k profit on each vehicle, that's still $50M/yr profit. What price development if most of it is footed by the Pilot?

 

^This. I think the move to the new platform is likely to eek out another 6-8 years of RL sales while spreading development costs over another model. I'm hoping for 2026 MY so I can line myself up for a new one in 2027.

 

Much depends on who wins the election . . . . . .

 

If the G2 has taught Honda anything, it is that a mild facelift (from '20 to '21) can really throttle sales. They just might continue down that path.


Reasons for Honda to adapt the G4 Pilot platform to the Ridgeline:

• updated VSA module that allows low-speed ACC
• larger wheel wells to allow larger tires
• suspension more amenable to vertical adjustment
• 360° camera views
• upgraded iVTM4, including more modes such as "tow" mode
• improved automatic brake control (i.e., "line lock") to improve AWD traction distribution
• really robust skidplates and mounts
• robust recovery points

Reasons for Honda to not adopt G4 Pilot platform for next Ridgeline:

• platform not yet ready for G3 Ridgeline (why else would it be delayed?)*
• Ridgeline budget got re-appropriated to EV R&D
• we should be careful about what we ask for... usually have to give up something to gain something, especially on a limited-run vehicle with matching limited-run budget.

* we saw issues with early Ridgelines that were not expected based on Pilot success, such as 1) rear wiring harness water infiltration, 2) fuel oump diaphragm car wash soap infiltration and 3) cabin water infiltration. All of these issues occurred because there is an open bed instead of an enclosed canopy, and Honda's engineers missed the fact that water always wins when given half a chance.

Anywayz, Honda has little incentive to improve a truck that still has several major advantages over the competition, even with being eight years older. OTOH, the truck market continues to be hot, and Ridgeline sales are generally as strong as they've ever been, if not stronger. If Honda netted a paltry $1k profit on each vehicle, that's still $50M/yr profit. What price development if most of it is footed by the Pilot?

I completely agree. Honda will incorporate the new Pilot platform to the Ridgeline and Passport ASAP. And have a real Trailsport model with more than cosmetics. The only reason they haven’t so far is that it takes time to implement throughout the product lines, change over production, etc.

Much depends on who wins the election . . . . . .

I doubt that will have any effect on the current Ridgeline. I assume you’re referring to EV goalposts, etc. Honda has already baked in their path for these vehicles probably 5 years down the line if not longer. They’re not EVs and no imminent plans to transition to EV.

 

I'd hate to see my mid-$40K truck morph into a $95K Silverado because some want still more and more do-dads. And no 3rd generation means the current design won't get as "dated" as quickly (and worth less).

 

Only thing id change is give it stock a 8.5 minimum ride height and a 9.3 minimum for the Trail sport. that wouldnt cost much if any at all to change so no price hike would be needed.

 

I’d keep it along the same path it’s currently on. If I’d have wanted a Toyota or Dodge, I’d have one. The Honda is just right for a LOT of people.

 

[QUOTE="OmahaJeff, post: 3381521, member: 190611"

I doubt that will have any effect on the current Ridgeline. I assume you’re referring to EV goalposts, etc. Honda has already baked in their path for these vehicles probably 5 years down the line if not longer. They’re not EVs and no imminent plans to transition to EV.
[/QUOTE]

It will matter and depending on the next administration, it will decide the path America's automobiles will take for many years.

 

[QUOTE="OmahaJeff, post: 3381521, member: 190611"

I doubt that will have any effect on the current Ridgeline. I assume you’re referring to EV goalposts, etc. Honda has already baked in their path for these vehicles probably 5 years down the line if not longer. They’re not EVs and no imminent plans to transition to EV.

It will matter and depending on the next administration, it will decide the path America's automobiles will take for many years.
[/QUOTE]
I avoid politics here but the diminution of the US petrodollar as the world's reserve currency is at hand and its not by accident.

 

I doubt that a hybrid from Honda would allow towing - the CR-V hybrid does not allow towing, the transmission on the current Honda hybrid would not last too long when the weight of a 1000 lbs trailer is being pulled. The transmission is the weak link on the hybrid as designed by Honda.

I thing if Toyota is working on a Rav-4 based pickup - Honda is probably working on a CR-V based pickup as well. The market is ready - that part Ford has proven with the Maverick. If Honda built a Maverick type pickup - I would be buying one.

 

I want a V8 from Judd tied to a sequential transmission.

 

Don’t screw with the bed dimensions. The main reason I bought the RL over the Taco, is the 4 foot wide bed width..Bigger wheels means bigger wheel wells.

 

We're on our second RL, we had an '18 RTL E and now a '24 Trail Sport. I'm very happy with the RLs, but have been surprised at some of the things our Traill Sport doesn't have. We also have a '21 Passport and like its dome lights, much better than the '18 RL had. When we bought our new RL I expected it would have the improved dome lights that the Passport had, but it was just like the old one. Those little dome lights are worthless at night, so that could easily be improved because the Passport and RL are essentially the same vehicle. I don't think any other truck comes close to what the RLs offer, so I'd keep them mostly the same. Unless you need a plow truck, or tow a giant trailer, or need a larger bed, I think the RL is the best truck! The last thing I'd want to be changed would be to have larger tires! When I grew up, 15" tires were usually the biggest on half ton trucks and they worked fine, I don't see any sense to slapping bigger tires on RLs!

db

 

Well, last week I paid off my ’21 Ridgeline, the only thing that would tempt me to change right now would be a new electronics package. Better/bigger screen, 360 cameras, improved cruise control…