Honda Ridgeline shamed by more efficient full-size Chevy pickup

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by War_Wagon

What small trucks are left in North America? The S10 is long gone, the Ranger is dead, the Dakota got fat, the Comanche is loooong gone (I heart my Comanche!), and as far as Canada goes you can't even get a regular cab Nissan, and a base model Tacoma only in 2wd.

The Dakota died before the Ranger (2011 for the Dodge, 2012 for the Ford). It was never really a compact pickup, though; from the first generation it was larger than Toyota and Nissan trucks, although they did their best to catch up by the end.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

No, Pale was pointing out how people were ridiculously misrepresenting the capabilities of the Ridgeline. There are comments saying that it's less useful than an El Camino.

The El Camino has a smaller bed capacity, a payload rating of 1000 lbs compared with the Ridgeline's 1500 lbs, and has fuel economy that is laughable, even when compared with the Ridgeline's unimpressive numbers. The car is a turd, and there is a reason that the Ridgeline is selling in the year 2014, and the El Camino is not.

There are also comments saying that the Ridgeline is not tow rated. Actually, it has a tow rating of 5,000 lbs; enough to tow a typical sedan on a trailer.

I've seen a Ridgeline hauling two 4-wheelers in the bed along with various gear.

Yes, the truck gets pathetic fuel economy given it's limitations, but it isn't worse than an El Camino, or incapable of towing.

Now who is underestimating?

Fuel economy:
'87 Elky rated up to 16/22 Compare Side-by-Side
'15 Ridgeline rated up to 15/21 Compare Side-by-Side

Can't find dimensions online, but the Elky beds are close in size to the Ridgeline's from what I recall, just not as deep.

Tow rating? '87 Elky rated at up to.... 5000lbs. 5.0L, with a weight-distributing hitch, Chevrolet rated it at 5000lbs in their Recreation and Towing guide.

Here's the Elky in '77 , I've found references to the '87 being listed with the same rating, but no actual copy of it.

And I'd expect the El Camino to be a turd compared to the Ridgeline since it's about 30 years older... but they come out surprisingly close.

[niky]

Could be worse... could be the Explorer SportTrac...

[redpoint5]

One thing not mentioned here is reliability.

Honda is known for manufacturing reliable vehicles, and it appears the Ridgeline is no exception.

While I'm not an expert in the reliability of other trucks such as the Ranger or Dakota, I have experience with my own full-size Dodge that every little part likes to break, with the exception of the Cummins engine.

Perhaps people that want a small and reliable pickup choose the Ridgeline, despite the mediocre fuel economy. I'd never get one, but then again, I often wonder what motivated people to purchase 95% of the silly vehicles you find on the road.

Originally Posted by darcane

Now who is underestimating?

Fuel economy:
'87 Elky rated up to 16/22 Compare Side-by-Side
'15 Ridgeline rated up to 15/21 Compare Side-by-Side

Tow rating? '87 Elky rated at up to.... 5000lbs. 5.0L, with a weight-distributing hitch, Chevrolet rated it at 5000lbs in their Recreation and Towing guide.

The 3.8L V6 in the '87 El Camino only output 110 HP. My 0.6L motorcycle has the same power output.

The 5.0L V8 output 150 HP, compared to the Ridgeline's 3.5L V6 with 250 HP. Which would I rather tow 5,000lbs with?

As you pointed out, it's ridiculous to compare a 30 year old vehicle with a modern one.

[ksa8907]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

One thing not mentioned here is reliability.

Honda is known for manufacturing reliable vehicles, and it appears the Ridgeline is no exception.

While I'm not an expert in the reliability of other trucks such as the Ranger or Dakota, I have experience with my own full-size Dodge that every little part likes to break, with the exception of the Cummins engine.

Perhaps people that want a small and reliable pickup choose the Ridgeline, despite the mediocre fuel economy. I'd never get one, but then again, I often wonder what motivated people to purchase 95% of the silly vehicles you find on the road.



The 3.8L V6 in the '87 El Camino only output 110 HP. My 0.6L motorcycle has the same power output.

The 5.0L V8 output 150 HP, compared to the Ridgeline's 3.5L V6 with 250 HP. Which would I rather tow 5,000lbs with?

As you pointed out, it's ridiculous to compare a 30 year old vehicle with a modern one.

I think we all know that obd2 and computer controls boosted hp numbers. Torque is a much more useful spec. I like that honda is using a v6, I just wish thwy would do their own thing and not try to copy the big 3.

[Hersbird]

You may think you wouldn't want to tow with 150 hp compared to 250 hp but do you want to drive around at 5500 rpm all day to get that 250 hp? Also I doubt many of those late 70s early 80s 305s haven't been "fixed" with better tune, exhaust, carb, and ignition and making about 250hp. If that wasn't enough they did make a stock 450hp El camino in 1970. I wouldn't do anything with one of those but sell it at auction!

Actually El Camino and Ridgeline sales numbers year to year are similar but the Camino carried better numbers for 24 years until it finally dropped to 15,000 in 87 and was dropped the next year with a limited production run. Honda dropped below 10,000 in 2011 and will be dropped for the 2015 year maybe brought back in 2016. Honda's best year was 50,000, while GM had 7 years better then that with a best of 72,000. That is in the US, I think they still make and sell some in Australia.

[Xist]

Maybe the El Camino is not old enough, but I have read of people replacing the drivetrain of classic vehicles with transplants from an S-10.

Exotic!

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

You may think you wouldn't want to tow with 150 hp compared to 250 hp but do you want to drive around at 5500 rpm all day to get that 250 hp? ... If that wasn't enough they did make a stock 450hp El camino in 1970.

Actually El Camino and Ridgeline sales numbers year to year are similar but the Camino carried better numbers for 24 years until it finally dropped to 15,000 in 87 and was dropped the next year with a limited production run. Honda dropped below 10,000 in 2011 and will be dropped for the 2015 year maybe brought back in 2016. Honda's best year was 50,000, while GM had 7 years better then that with a best of 72,000.

The Ridgeline and El Camino 3.8L engines have almost identical torque ratings, with the Ridgeline having 10 more ft/lbs. I'd rather have the extra power available even if I have to rev the engine.

The Honda has sold about 12,000 Ridgelines this year, while Chevy has sold zero El Caminos. Shall we continue to compare a 30 year old vehicle with the Ridgeline?

[niky]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

You may think you wouldn't want to tow with 150 hp compared to 250 hp but do you want to drive around at 5500 rpm all day to get that 250 hp?

I think one should bear in mind that the V6 in the Ridgeline/Pilot has been detuned at the top end to boost the torque curve.

Electronic fuel injection gave us fine control for economy. Electronic ignition control gives us fine control to boost torque everywhere in the rev range.

Torque curves nowadays can be almost completely flat.

The Ridgeline makes 250 hp at 5,500 rpm. Back-calculate from the torque figures and it makes 230 hp at 4,800 rpm... and it will be making well over 150 hp down to around 3,000 rpm.

Originally Posted by Hersbird

Also I doubt many of those late 70s early 80s 305s haven't been "fixed" with better tune, exhaust, carb, and ignition and making about 250hp.

Nothing to do with stock condition. You can supercharge a Ridgeline for the cost of refurbishing an El Camino to new condition. (well... a lot more than supercharging... really).

And you can seat five people... out of the rain.

That said... the Ridgeline's economy numbers and performance are pathetic for the amount of power it has... the Pilot/Ridgeline combo are a perfectly good waste of a perfectly good motor.

Originally Posted by Hersbird

If that wasn't enough they did make a stock 450hp El camino in 1970. I wouldn't do anything with one of those but sell it at auction!

I'd never sell mine. Might go broke from the tire replacement bill...

[Cobb]

If its off the mini van that has VCM, you think they use that for mpg. Isnt that was Chevy does now for their boost in mpg?