Ridgeline vs Tacoma

[jonaz]

I know this is a Pilot comparison, but the Ridgeline is close enough. My question is why would anyone choose a Ridgeline over a Tacoma Crew Cab?

V6 horsepower is similar, but the Toyota makes more torque.
Tacoma tows more, up to 6500 lbs.
Tacoma is arguably the best looking truck out there.
Tacoma has 4wd low, better transfer case.
Tacoma gets better gas mileage.
Tacoma has a bigger bed.

I cant think of any advantages that the Ridgeline might have.

[jcantanixon]

I had a RL as a loaner and it was nice, but a friend of mine has a new Taco V6, six speed manual. It's a torquey beast, I'll tell you. It's a little stiff compared to a RL, but that might be a good thing to some truck buyers. RL is nicer on the inside, and just feels more luxurious. Dual climate control, and other comfort features. The Taco has a overdone attempt at a trendy interior...all silvery and plastic.

My opinion:

34 and under=buy the Yota
35 and over=buy the RL

[GreenMachine]

The Ridgeline also has the in bed locking trunk as well.

The Toyota is definitely a nice looking truck though. I saw long bed crew cab, and it looked too long. The regular bed CC is very nice.

[rockman19762001]

If you want a truck to do real truck stuff, I would go with the Tacoma. If you want a truck to run to Home-despot or Lowe's, the big time hauling you do is a shrubbery or two, never see's a off road, I go with the Ridgeline, without even giving it second thought. For me It would be the Ridgeline, sense I do not need a real truck. But, I like to haul a big dirty thing or two ever now and then. Plus the Ridgeline would look better going done the oil field roads to check my wells.

[tracy]

Best looking? Nah. I prefer the Tundra to the Tacoma (and I haven't seen the interior myself, but hubby says it's pretty cheesy). Anyway, even the extended cab Tacoma has a pretty limited back seat, doesn't it? I think the Tacoma appeals to people who want a truck, and the Ridgeline appeals to people who want a car but need a truck. Or want a truck but need a car.

[Roger]

I bought the Tacoma over the Ridgeline as I didn't want the 4 doors and short bed. I wanted an extended cab (like the looks) and the longer bed.

I bought a 2wd Taco but really wish it was available in AWD like the Pilot. I have no use for a 4WD but really like the AWD system on the Pilot/Ridgeline. If Honda made an extended cab Ridgeline with a longer bed I would have bought it instead of the Taco.

Roger
'04 MBP

[ThePilotster]

You cant think of any advantages that the Ridgeline might have.

I can.. motor trend truck of the year 2006...Ridgeline!
Your wrong on the mileage unless your comparing with a 2wd tacoma
Towing is 1500 less.. if you dont need it, who cares
As far as looks, trucks are like wifes.... they look good until after the honeymoon... then the springs sag etc...you get the point
The tacoma has way to many rattles.
The ridgeline hands down is safer, controls with sure grip handling in snow
And the resale is higher
Ridgeline has a trunk
-Dual climate control
-A real moon roof, not just a pop up
- can get navigation as an option
Ok maybe I'm partial, but I've owned both.. just my 2 cents worth

[jonaz]

Motor Trend/ Truck Trend lost a great deal of respect when it named the Ridgeline truck of the year.
The only advantage I can see with the Ridgeline is the lockable trunk in the bed. A lady at my work actually sold her Pilot just for this reason. She carried around valuable camera equipment, and didnt like having to take it our when she went through a hand car wash, thinking it might get stolen. She really likes her Ridgeline.
Still, the Tacoma V6 beats the Ridgeline in every other option. Bed length, power, towing, off road, and its great looking.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by jonaz
Motor Trend/ Truck Trend lost a great deal of respect when it named the Ridgeline truck of the year.
The only advantage I can see with the Ridgeline is the lockable trunk in the bed. A lady at my work actually sold her Pilot just for this reason. She carried around valuable camera equipment, and didnt like having to take it our when she went through a hand car wash, thinking it might get stolen. She really likes her Ridgeline.
Still, the Tacoma V6 beats the Ridgeline in every other option. Bed length, power, towing, off road, and its great looking.

Car magazines love the Ridgeline - Truck magazines not so much. MT's award of the year severly limits the competition to only those vehicles that have been significantly redesigned that year. Many people think that the MT Award of the year means it is the best of it's category. However, there may still be other vehicles that are better but not included in the competition because they were not redesigned that year.

[ThePilotster]

Originally posted by jonaz
Still, the Tacoma V6 beats the Ridgeline in every other option. Bed length, power, towing, off road, and its great looking.

Just kidding... Tacomas a nice truck. I owned 2 in the last 10 yrs...
Opinions are to each there own.... enjoy

[GreenMachine]

Originally posted by ThePilotster

The ridgeline hands down is safer, controls with sure grip handling in snow

The Ridgeline's VTM-4 gives you that extra traction, if needed, on the streets, whereas I don't believe the Tacoma's 4WD system works at all on hard pavement.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by GreenMachine


The Ridgeline's VTM-4 gives you that extra traction, if needed, on the streets, whereas I don't believe the Tacoma's 4WD system works at all on hard pavement.

That's actually one of the reasons I have a Silverado CC and not a Tundra CC. The Chevy has the autotrac option which allows AWD,4WD HI, and 4WD Lo. It works great in the winter. Toyota did not have this option. Not to mention push button Auto folding mirrors so I can get it in my garage without getting out to fold the mirrors. Another option Toyota didn't have. Wasn't all that bad a deal either with a $38K sticker but a $28K selling price.

[jonaz]

The Tacoma comes with either a limited slip differential or a locker. With the Ridgeline, you need to stop, select neutral, then use the VTM lock.
The Tacoma will lock the rear wheels if it detects to much wheel spin.
Also, if you have ever been off road in deep sand, you will appreciate having 4 wheel low.

[jcantanixon]

Originally posted by jonaz
The Tacoma comes with either a limited slip differential or a locker. With the Ridgeline, you need to stop, select neutral, then use the VTM lock.
The Tacoma will lock the rear wheels if it detects to much wheel spin.
Also, if you have ever been off road in deep sand, you will appreciate having 4 wheel low.

Huh? The VTM in the Ridgeline is that much different?? There's no need to shift out of gear to use the VTM lock in the Pilot.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by jonaz
The Tacoma comes with either a limited slip differential or a locker. With the Ridgeline, you need to stop, select neutral, then use the VTM lock.
The Tacoma will lock the rear wheels if it detects to much wheel spin.
Also, if you have ever been off road in deep sand, you will appreciate having 4 wheel low.

But that is still just essentially locking the rear wheels not transferring torque to all 4 wheels if slip is detected. I don't think you have to do that in the Ridgeline to use VTM lock - just shift into D1 or D2 and be below 18 mph, which you probably are if you are not getting traction. I do agree real 4wd and lo gears are better for real off-roading.