Which Ford F150? Since the F150 has about 5,000,000 different available powertrain combinations, I'm sure the import-biased media jumped at the chance to compare a "top of the line" Ridgeline to the bottom of the barrel base F150 with the 4.2 V6....and in that scenario the F150 absolutely mauls it in price. It doesn't seem that V6 tow ratings are listed on Ford's site however.

 

carconnection claims:


Don't get me wrong, I'm skeptical too.

but i can see it being a nice option, for someone that wants something like an Avalanche, but slightly smaller (and possibly with the Honda name on it)

I don't see them selling like hotcakes, but wouldn't be surprised if they come up a little short, or sell just the right amount as expected.

 

No, it was the 5.4 v8. They said they were suprised they did not go with the 4.6 v8.

 

Since it's based off the minivan platform, I take it that it's uni-body construction, right? I know in the commercial they said something about a "fully boxed frame", so I was a little confused about that.

I thought it was hysterical how they were trying to make it have a "rough and tough" image in the commercial.

Chris

 

Its suppose to be the first unibody with a integrated fully boxed frame. What that means, I have no idea. They also keep saying that unibody are stronger then body on frame. Thats news to me as thats why trucks still use body on frame. They claim that with the unibody construction that its stiffer then the f150 and the center fo gravity is much lower so that it drives just like a car.

 

To say the least. The math just doesn't add up if they're telling me 2 trucks that weigh a similar amount and are towing similar weights are equally "gutsy" when one truck has a 255 HP, 250 FT/TQ motor and one has 300 HP and 360 FT/TQ. I mean really, was the Ridgeline only behind by 1 bus length and that = "close"?

 

Gearing plays a big part in this as well. The f150 and Titan are close in power but the titan is a much quicker truck, even with a load then the f150.

 

there's a difference in curb weight too.. this ridgeline is suppose to be around 4500 lbs.. a comparable 5.4 v8 f-150 looks like to be around 5500 lbs..

 

I think this quote sums up where Honda is coming from.. LMAO!!!



Read the full story here. It says this ugly truck is a uniframe with some ladder frame added?? This sounds like a truck for a soccer mom
http://www.detnews.com/2005/autoscon.../G01-76895.htm

 

I hope thats not a real big part of hondas marketing plan. With the huge quadcab pickups, they are really suv's with a bed. Not a selfish purchase anymore.

 

Ah, gotcha.
Sounds a little sketchy...

Chris

 

I'm still not sold on the lie that unibody construction is stronger than body on frame. Go look at a semi truck.

 

Thats what happens when the suits say they need to get into the market, and marketing gets ahold of the engineering department's *****.

 

That ugly bastard truck might have the frame and floor to haul 6,000lbs, but it for sure won't take it anywhere.

It's basically being marketed to people who won't know the difference.

Sad....
I hate Honda.

 

Well, I'd be interested to see how well it drives and rides. (although I wouldn't consider one) Its kinda like the small SUV sales.. For people that want some SUVness, but more car like attributes..

I guess if they didn't try marketing it as so "rough and tough", people wouldn't be complaing so much about it.

So far, all the praise as come from the car side of the media.. I wonder how the truck side of the reviewers will take it overall... probably not too well.


BTW, last time I watched Trucks!, they showed semi's use open C rails underneath. It flexes quite a bit underload.. cause supposdily its easier to manage that, than trying to build something superstuff for the massive payload..