[toddyridge]

I think the OP's perspective and comments are pretty correct.

There are a few things about Gen 2 that I would like to see different, but the comments and rants of some posters before and after the intro are interesting..........and at times ridiculous or irrelevant. Seems to me that the most common complaints about Gen 1 have been about unorthodox styling, fuel economy, and outdated interior, features, etc.

Honda has addressed all these significantly and there are still complaints about Gen 2 being either "too much" or "not enough." However it will still be unique in the marketplace and will succeed on its own merits. It just won't be as "odd".

I think Gen 2 will be more successful than Gen 1 and with a lot of different buyers than before.

 

[toddyridge]

Some comments a few posts back about what "truck buyers" want... and Honda can't or won't deliver that with RL.
That's such an old load of crap. Are we not truck buyers? Really?
I've owned bigger/badder trucks, and if I needed/wanted one now, they are out there & available. The RL is NOT in competition with F150, RAM or any other full size truck.

It stands very capably amongst mid size truck offerings, and offers a uniquely different set of attributes. If you don't like them, that's fine. But to suggest that Honda can't build something "just like the others" is ludicrous. The point & root of the RLs best features comes from the fact that it is NOT engineered & built just like the others. And so far as towing goes, I'd tow anything with a RL that can be towed with a similarly equipped Taco, Frontier, GM Twin.

This vehicle (our vehicle), the Ridgeline is what it is intended to be. It's better in ways others cannot compare & lacks in some specific areas that are others' strengths. What's the big deal about this.... if you want what those others offer & can live without what the Ridgeline provides, then there's the door. The choice is there for all of us. It's just tiring to hear the same groans about "they could do this" and "they could do that" wrt heavier towing, gorilla engines, BOF, etc. etc.

It just seems dumb to me to criticize a vehicle for not being more like some other vehicle. Make your choice & move on.

And why THIS is even being discussed on a thread that was intended to discuss the 2017 RL looks is beyond me. For my part - sorry for the departure. But I just couldn't let that stand. Done.

I agree.........

As far as "styling", I think it's generally pretty good and modern. Not a traditional "big 3" boxy style, but I expect they will change in the future too. Remember when Dodge introduced the lowered front fender styling that still prevails in their current lineup? That was a significant departure from their former super boxy shapes. There were a lot of haters back then.

Lastly, as disappointed as some are that Honda didn't come up with something to compete with the full size pickups, I think that would have been a foolish move. The domestics have a firm hold on the segment, Toyota has a very capable Tundra, but it sells in much lower numbers than the domestics. Now Nissan is bringing a new Titan to the market (which I think will probably be a good "trucky" truck but won't be a big seller compared to the others). Pretty crowded market segment. Instead, Honda is targeting a niche market with a unique product and believes it can "grow" this niche - which I believe is correct.

It will be good when the new Gen 2 is on the dealer lots so we can actually see the real thing and form more meaningful opinions based on that. I do think it will be more attractive and impressive in person. One last comment about styling: Several have said Gen 2 looks real good in some views/angles and not in others. I think the same holds true with Gen 1 only more so - IMO my '13 black Sport looks rugged and aggressive at certain angles.....................yet awkward, bulky, and old from other perspectives.