Ride quality opinions

10202 Views 33 Replies 21 Participants Last post by MrClam, Sep 23, 2016

tinsoldier

Discussion Starter · Aug 17, 2016

Hello, I just came back from a test drive of AWD RTL-T. I am not sure if anyone here has other full size trucks and switched over to a Ridgeline. But I am a little dissapointed in the ride quality of the Ridgeline. Presently I have a 2014 Ram Ecodiesel Crew Cab that I was planning to trade in, and it rides a lot better but just a little too big. After several weeks of searching, I found a color that I wanted at a dealership that was a little ways off. I went there with title and checkbook in hand and ready to deal. I thought for sure that I am going home with a Ridgeline today after reading all the positive reviews and countless youtube videos.

To my understanding, the Ridgeline is supposed to ride better due to the Unibody construction. Am I missing something or expecting too much? With the load capacity of a Ram, how can it rides better besides the point that it is longer. I understand the Ridgeline is a truck but I thought that was one of the selling point. Has anyone switched from a fullsize 1/2 ton to a ridgeline. If so what do you think? I am thinking about going back to another dealer to test drive again but afraid I am wasting my time.

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longboat

· #2 · Aug 17, 2016

Check tire pressures. I drive a Ram 2500 at work, and it lets you air down the rear tires to 55lbs for light duty, and air back up to 85lbs for load carrying and towing (there is a switch on the dash to toggle for TPMS). At 55lbs, the Ram 2500 is a nice ride (they have soft front seats). At 85lbs, it is noticeably stiffer and jarring, and sitting in the rear seat is a pain.

Some Ridgelines have come from the dealer with tires slightly over-inflated. The Ram is a nice ride, but wouldn't hurt to check all tire pressures and re-test.

TommyDeVito

· #3 · Aug 17, 2016

The ride quality and handling are the best things about it. On my last test drive I took the u under the highway so fast my colleague from work said his truck would have flipped. He drives a Powerstroke diesel Ford. The AWD RL rides great. It's like Sport Suspension but it has give for an optimum highway ride compliance. I'm a track guy, bikes and cars, and I think it handles outstanding. What specifically did you have issues with?

Reactions: 3

tinsoldier

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 17, 2016

Well I think you have just summed it up. I thought the ride quality was a little stiff. Maybe I am just getting old. LOL.

longboat

· #5 · Aug 17, 2016

I think someone on here mentioned that there is little difference in ride quality among half-tons and the Ridgeline on smooth highways. The real differences showed up when things got a little rougher, like rumble strips, RR crossings, washboard, etc. Try test drives on some crappier roads, not the ones the dealer wants you to drive on.

at t 2d

· #6 · Aug 17, 2016

longboat said:
I think someone on here mentioned that there is little difference in ride quality among half-tons and the Ridgeline on smooth highways. The real differences showed up when things got a little rougher, like rumble strips, RR crossings, washboard, etc. Try test drives on some crappier roads, not the ones the dealer wants you to drive on.

I agree. I drove the Canyon and the Ridgeline for the first time on the same day and on the same route since the dealerships are very close. I drove the Ridgeline first and it reminded me a lot of our 2007 MDX and was very happy with the ride quality. The Canyon was also very impressive until after the first turn. The road was in really bad shape with pot holes and some of the surface coming off. I had to slow down in the Canyon. I honestly didn't even notice how bad the road condition was in the Ridgeline. Huge difference.

TommyDeVito

· #7 · Aug 18, 2016

tinsoldier said:
Well I think you have just summed it up. I thought the ride quality was a little stiff. Maybe I am just getting old. LOL.

It will wear in. Keep that in mind. On a new truck, everything is gonna be stiff (that's what she said too).

Reactions: 1

NSIDER

· #8 · Aug 18, 2016

tinsoldier said:
Hello, I just came back from a test drive of AWD RTL-T. I am not sure if anyone here has other full size trucks and switched over to a Ridgeline. But I am a little dissapointed in the ride quality of the Ridgeline. Presently I have a 2014 Ram Ecodiesel Crew Cab that I was planning to trade in, and it rides a lot better but just a little too big. After several weeks of searching, I found a color that I wanted at a dealership that was a little ways off. I went there with title and checkbook in hand and ready to deal. I thought for sure that I am going home with a Ridgeline today after reading all the positive reviews and countless youtube videos.

To my understanding, the Ridgeline is supposed to ride better due to the Unibody construction. Am I missing something or expecting too much? With the load capacity of a Ram, how can it rides better besides the point that it is longer. I understand the Ridgeline is a truck but I thought that was one of the selling point. Has anyone switched from a fullsize 1/2 ton to a ridgeline. If so what do you think? I am thinking about going back to another dealer to test drive again but afraid I am wasting my time.

Just the opposite for me...went from a RL (G1) to a full size. Tho I don't own one, I've put some miles on the G2 as well.

As far as ride quality, a full size .5T is definitely going to win the smooth road contest, hands down. Given the architecture (body on frame), longer wheel base, and weight, are big advantages. For choppy surfaces & handling, the RL will shine, again, to it's unique design (Unit body & IRS) All trucks are going to be "stiff" compared to cars, so it's a matter of how well things are dampened & isolated. The full size trucks do this very well, given their work capacities. My F150, tho very stiff, is amazingly well dampened & quiet, more so than any car or truck I've had. Road & wind noise are extremely low, and the "bumps", again, tho stiff, are isolated extremely well. it's a very smooth, quiet, relaxed highway cruiser, more so than the RL.

Anyone who hasn't driven a new full size .5T PU for a few years is in for a big shock. They are really nicer than most cars, when it comes to highway comfort, and certainly more so than any midsize .5T.

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TNTA2

· #9 · Aug 18, 2016

Check the tire pressures if you go back for another drive. They are set to near max PSI sometimes for transport and storage purposes. This is very often missed during PDI. I bet the tires are several PSI over the door placard spec.

tinsoldier

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 18, 2016

TNTA2 said:
Check the tire pressures if you go back for another drive. They are set to near max PSI sometimes for transport and storage purposes. This is very often missed during PDI. I bet the tires are several PSI over the door placard spec.

Well after seeing that is mentioned twice. I will definitely go back for a second test drive.

cprtrails

· #11 · Aug 18, 2016

I'm in a similar boat as you although I'm coming out of a 2001 Silverado. I went and road tested an RTL-T today all fired up to make a deal. I've sat in several Ridgelines and researched everything but the road test just seemed odd. It was a smooth ride for me, but I think it was just so much different than my Silverado it felt odd. I was running late and headed out of town for work so I didn't try to make a deal and figured I'd sleep on it. I don't think it was a bad thing, just different than what I've been used to for awhile.

TommyDeVito

· #12 · Aug 18, 2016

tin, take some aggressive turns in it too. Let the unibody shine. It will out handle any truck on the market save the Raptor.

willk58

· #13 · Aug 18, 2016

I traded in a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Eco Diesel. Took a $5000 hit on the trade but don't regret it. Like you, I wanted something smaller. Yes.The Ram's ride is slightly smoother with less road noise but the RL is a lot funner and easier to drive. The size is just right. The Ram didn't do too well in front offset crash tests and roof strength (though the Ram is a heavier vehicle and would do better in an accident with a lighter vehicle). The RL would do better at avoiding an accident in the first place. I would test drive the RL a few more times and then make your decision. You might also want to to go over the same route with the Ram as you went during the test drive.

.:Reflex

· #14 · Aug 18, 2016

The 2015 Ram 1500 is widely regarded as the best riding full-sized truck on the market today so its not surprising you were not impressed with the suspension damping of a mid-sized truck. Also, air suspension is available on the Ram, not sure if your vehicle is so equipped but that will also make a difference.

I will echo everyone else, and say confirm tire pressure is in spec and then take a corner in the AWD version. Approach a corner you know and normally take in your Ram, enter the corner wide on the outside and roll on the throttle as you tighten your line. I think you will come away quite impressed with the agility of the Ridgeline.

Outahere

· #15 · Aug 25, 2016

I remember when the Ridgeline was introduced earlier this year to the automotive press, most but not all "first drive" reports were complimentary about the ride quality. The latest report from pickuptrucks.com is mixed:

..."The ride is the smoothest here and the V-6 engine feels very strong, even when towing a trailer," Bragman said…"

..."Ride quality on anything but perfectly smooth surfaces is overrated," Mikonis said. "The truck rode better on unpaved roads. Even deteriorated Michigan pavement made the rearview mirror vibrate and the unoccupied passenger seat belt rattle against the interior trim, which was legitimately annoying."...

2016 Midsize Pickup Challenge: What the Judges Said - PickupTrucks.com News

UnicornKaz

· #16 · Aug 25, 2016

TommyDeVito said:
It will wear in. Keep that in mind. On a new truck, everything is gonna be stiff (that's what she said too).

Absolutely correct !...most people overlook this....and here's an interesting read ( for new vehicle owners and people getting new tires as well ) >

Tire Tech Information - Breaking in Your Tires

longboat

· #17 · Aug 25, 2016

Outahere said:
I remember when the Ridgeline was introduced earlier this year to the automotive press, most but not all "first drive" reports were complimentary about the ride quality. The latest report from pickuptrucks.com is mixed:

..."The ride is the smoothest here and the V-6 engine feels very strong, even when towing a trailer," Bragman said…"

..."Ride quality on anything but perfectly smooth surfaces is overrated," Mikonis said. "The truck rode better on unpaved roads. Even deteriorated Michigan pavement made the rearview mirror vibrate and the unoccupied passenger seat belt rattle against the interior trim, which was legitimately annoying."...

2016 Midsize Pickup Challenge: What the Judges Said - PickupTrucks.com News

I think they were really looking hard for things to nitpick. Maybe from reviews, they were expecting it to ride like a 1970s Cadillac, so when it rode more like an Accord, they were "disapoointed"?

It is amazing how well the Ridgeline came out in that competition, given some of the blatant bias of some of the reviewers/judges.

spylake

· #18 · Aug 25, 2016 (Edited)

tinsoldier said:
Well I think you have just summed it up. I thought the ride quality was a little stiff. Maybe I am just getting old. LOL.

It will soften as it get's broken in.

Edit : seems I was late to the party. Sorry for the Duh moment.

Doobiewah

· #19 · Aug 25, 2016 (Edited)

Outahere said:
I remember when the Ridgeline was introduced earlier this year to the automotive press, most but not all "first drive" reports were complimentary about the ride quality. The latest report from pickuptrucks.com is mixed:

..."The ride is the smoothest here and the V-6 engine feels very strong, even when towing a trailer," Bragman said…"

..."Ride quality on anything but perfectly smooth surfaces is overrated," Mikonis said. "The truck rode better on unpaved roads. Even deteriorated Michigan pavement made the rearview mirror vibrate and the unoccupied passenger seat belt rattle against the interior trim, which was legitimately annoying."...

2016 Midsize Pickup Challenge: What the Judges Said - PickupTrucks.com News

Well, I have to say that I feel a moderate to low vibration in the steering wheel, even on smooth surfaces, that is amplified when the roadway surface gets a little rougher. ..and you can feel it in the floorboard and seat, too. I'm going in to have the tires road-force balanced to see if that takes care of it; however, i wonder if the Firestones are the cause, here and whether or not a set of Michelin Premier LTX would take care of this...

Shineaholic

· #20 · Aug 27, 2016 (Edited)

Doobiewah said:
I'm going in to have the tires road-force balanced to see if that takes care of it;

ok, I'll bite. What is "road force balanced"
oh, looked it up. One word. Centramatics.

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