Honda Ridgeline The GM Truck Of The Future?

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Subaru isn't making them any more. The Baja is no longer listed on the company page or in Yahoo Autos.

I missed that, I wonder if Subaru plans on replacing it with a more useful vehicle sometime in the near future?

[Robert Ryan]

Maybe, but some people want the ground clearance. Look at the Subaru Baja, how well does that sell? During this year I think I have seen 2, I have seen dozens of Ridgelines during that time.

You do not get Ute and Pickup variants in the US. Here they choose what they need.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

You do not get Ute and Pickup variants in the US. Here they choose what they need.

We need both.

[bigtime]

So let me get this straight there going to sell us a smaller pickup that gets 1 mpg better fuel economy than a fullsize silverado for probably the same amount of money? Makes sense to me!

Why is this news BTW? File this under "obvious." Lets see, GM is seeing shrinking truck/SUV sales and they need to replace those types of vehicles with something smaller and with perceivably better MPG. So they look around and see what they got that would work, as developement money for something totally new is non-existent. Thus a lambda pickup truck. Genius! Its also a little risky. GM and everyone else has no idea whats going to replace today's pickup. The consumer hasn't really thought about it or shown a preference for anything yet. They have just been scrambling, looking for anything with high MPG! GM assumes we would want a lambda based truck. GM also wants to get out ahead of the japanese for once, it knows too well what happens when they don't. Seems like a good move, but far from a sure thing.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by bigtime

So let me get this straight there going to sell us a smaller pickup that gets 1 mpg better fuel economy than a fullsize silverado for probably the same amount of money? Makes sense to me!

First, Honda only made the Ridgeline because they could do it cheaply using an existing engine, existing transmission, and existing transverse-engine platform. Honda also never built a truck before. I'm certain any automaker could make a much more powerful, capable, and efficient unibody pickup if they put more effort into it.

Second, the Ridgeline's equipment level is on par with a Silverado crew cab LT2, which costs $7,000 more. So "probably the same amount of money" is not true.

But most importantly of all, I think a Lambda 1 pickup doesn't make sense. The Ridgeline is 4500 pounds with AWD standard and a 5000 pound tow rating. The Lambdas are shorter, and in AWD form they weigh 4750 pounds or more with a 4500 pound tow rating. By the time GM stiffens the frame, lengthens the back for a bed, stiffens the suspension, and strengthens the transmission a Lambda pickup would weigh as much as a Silverado.

I think unibody or body-on-frame matters less than switching over to much lighter materials.

[PA Dweller]

All I know is GM needs to make a light pick up truck similar to the Ridgeline, going for $36k fully loaded and not higher. My family would of went with a Avalanche if it didn't cost in the upper $40k's.

[64malibu]

Have you checked out the Denali XT. GM's already got a Ridgeline prototype. So has Toyota for that matter.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by 64malibu

Have you checked out the Denali XT. GM's already got a Ridgeline prototype. So has Toyota for that matter.

Yea but it's a concept, will they produce it?