bagwell

Honda is dribbling out some information concerning the next-generation Ridgeline, announcing that the new truck will “come to market in less than two years.”


The current Ridgeline, which is built exclusively in Lincoln, Alabama, will conclude production in mid-2014 to make way for the new truck. The Ridgeline was introduced in the 2006 model year, and is still the only pickup truck to use a closed-box unibody platform.

A sketch of the next-generation Ridgeline was also released by the brand, and shows off the new truck’s new square style.

The Ridgeline has never sold in huge numbers, despite being lauded as the 2006 North American truck of the year. The best month ever for the Ridgeline saw 1853 units moved, though sales are up by 29 percent in 2013 year-to-date thanks in part to a new top of the line trim level.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...ampaign=weekly

pbm317

This is good news. Overall the Ridgeline drives much better on roads than the Tacoma/Frontier/Colorado thanks to its unibody platform. The only thing that really shot it was styling and power/fuel economy (absence of a 2WD model is part of this).

Styling looks like it could be more conventional - no more flying buttresses of the back of the cabin. And Honda powertrains have slow been modernizing. So by 2016 when this debuts I would imagine they'd have both major gripes taken care of.

Perfect for a suburban minded compact/midsize pickup.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

there's still a market for a car-like truck that's practical. yes pbm, ridgeline was hampered by odd looks but other than that, it was a decent offering.

bagwell

+1


hopefully I'm wrong, but I'm guessing they'll up-size it since ford sells millions of F150s.

mmarshall

The Colorado/Canyon, IMO, is a POS...and there are very few vehicles still made today that I can use that term for.

whoster

I really hope the new one addressed those issues.

It's really a handsome truck.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I thought they had quit making these trucks like a year or two ago? It's good to see a new one is coming out.

bagwell

hahha never seen you use that language!

new Colorado/Canyon is due out soon!

mmarshall

I usually prefer to express myself in non-obscene terms (we do, of course, have standards here on CL). But when I see obvious incompetency and/or cheapness on the part of some new vehicles, it can test my paitience.


About time...and sorely needed.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Looks traditional that silhouette. It's still bound to have a 3.5L V6

mmarshall

Why not? It worked just fine for the last version. This truck was never intended to go head-to-head with Cummins diesels and dualie-rear-wheelers in hauling things.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

That's a jab for them "pushing the envelope". This would be the perfect application to finally offer a diesel Honda/Acura have been talking about for years

SteVTEC

Honda promised both a "high-torque V6" and a turbodiesel V6 for the current Ridgeline, none of which has materialized, and then they wonder why sales have dropped off or aren't meeting expectations? They'll probably slap in the same exact corporate standard 3.5L V6 from their other cars. A 3.7L V6 with the torque band tuned to lower RPMs would be nice, but I doubt they'll do it.

LexFather

Right and it still never met their modest sales goals, its been a sales flop since day one. Sure there is a small niche for it just like people bought the Element or Crosstour.

Its an option for loyal Honda owners who for whatever reasons rather this than a real truck. Toyota has a hard enough time offering real trucks let alone the most feminine version of a truck. If Honda is happy with selling it and it possibly makes money then they should make a 2nd gen.

If they want to stun the market, debut a 30 MPG unibody "truck".

pbm317

"worked just fine" is a very generous statement. It didn't have great power and it didn't deliver compelling MPG's.