[Dnick]

I agree with much of what you've said, and I too believe the G2 will sell more than G1 based on looks alone. BUT, if a decent dose of effective advertising is added to identify & SHARE the greatly unique features that have been the hallmark of Ridgeline all along, THEN you'll see some real stealing of market share based on the differentiation that knowledge brings to potential buyers.

It's that distinction that can make it stand apart, even while the looks say bland, middle-of-the-road. And anyway, hasn't Honda always been mostly bland, middle-of-the-road style-wise? Hasn't really hurt them so far.

 

[Dnick]

Throw some molded floor mats, durable car seats and you have a dirty ready work truck, and as a bonus the seats/floor will stay nice underneath for resale value.

Don't be surprised to see just that in a lower cost 2WD base version. Might just sell well for the reasons you point out.

 

[Dnick]

So, taking a minute to get real: I've agreed frequently that the G1 RL was NOT a looker..... have even called it ugly. But lets face it, the model was sold for 10 years (9 model years, but staring in early 2005 pretty much gets you to 10), without so much as a significant face lift. And then it got redesigned .... NOT ended.

Consider the Pontiac Aztek .... by comparison to G1 RL, I guess the Aztek must have been truly hideous! It was only produced for 5 years before getting axed for good, and they NEVER reached even 30K vehicle sales/year (30K is what GM cited as break-even, while they had forecast 75K/yr).

So, I guess G1 wasn't so terrible. But by ANY measure, G2 does not score any of the "ugly" points that G1 captured. You might not like it, you might think it's soft, you might think it's not "truck-like", but it doesn't have the same "ugly" factor as did G1. Based on that alone, I can't say Honda has sinned too terribly with this design. Give it an A or a B or a C- even, but it ain't no D or F. And it should sell well for a good long time.

Also, looking at one of the many gallery pics floating around, I chuckled when my mind saw a faint resemblance to some of those newer big rig hood lines. Am I nuts?? maybe......

 

[Dnick]

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.

 

[Dnick]

I have read through this thread a couple of times and for the life of me can't figure out what you and HiPSI are complaining about??? This thread has been more on topic than most and with people discussing the trucks appearance (OUTSIDE AND INSIDE); will it be a SUCCESS or FAILURE?? THAT WAS THE F'N TOPIC. We just saw the truck a few days ago and are now discussing what we saw. How is this "old crap" . . .And so what if it is a done deal! We are still discussing the success or failure of the design. Again that is the f'n topic! Y'all need to be the ones moving on!! And PSI your whining (repeatedly) about the whining is condescending nonsenese . . .

RANT OVER!

Sorry for the departure, But I just couldn't let that stand . . . .

My bad Eurban.... I should have included a quote, but didn't really want to snipe that much. It's overcome at this point & not that important in any case. Just reached my limit of judgmental statements presumptuously characterizing intent on the part of both Honda and of us as owners / potential buyers. (those overblown statements were what I was referring to as off topic) I value everyone's opinions, but some don't get expressed as opinions; and none of us is all-knowing. I should be less sensitive. I regret having added to the distraction.

If you didn't see it, that's a good thing. Unpushing buttons now........

 

[Dnick]

As an outsider who has never owned a Honda Ridgeline I have to say the new model has totally caught my eye. I've been searching for a replacement truck since my 04 Nissan Titan is getting up there in age 115k and I'm tired of stupid things breaking on it (window regulators, axle seals, rear brakes, IPDM, ATP 4x4 switch,front brakes-3 times from being undersized, rear brake line, emergency brake that doesn't hold, passenger power seat broke, rear seat belt wouldn't retrack, radiator cracked, manifold leaks, CD player doesn't work, AUX jack doesn't work).

My wife and I really like the new Pilot and now that I've seen the new Gen2 Ridgeline I'm excited to check it out. We have an 08 Honda Odyssey that has been down right unbreakable in the years we've owned it, seriously the ONLY thing we have done is oil changes,1 battery, tires, windshield wipers, and a timing belt at 110k--we're still on the original brakes front and rear!!!

The reliability alone of the Odyssey has made the new Ridgeline my #1 pick even if it's not a true "truck". I've only owned full size trucks (Ford F150-transmission OD blew @ 62k plus numerous other stupid crap, Chevy Silverado 1500- engine valve @90k plus a slew of sensors, never attempted owning a dodge) I'm willing to give this thing a look; even the FWD model since there's less to go wrong.

What caught my eye is the bed with the large storage compartment underneath that I'll be able to put some of my common tools for jobs I do for people. That along with the Odyssey like ride, better fuel mileage and quiet interior are all HUGE pluses for me and the kids. I'm really excited to see one in person.

Sorry for the long post!

Great First Post! Welcome to the fold.
:act030: