Today’s episode of Car Talk
The 2006 Honda Ridgeline is based on the Honda Pilot. The Pilot is based on the front wheel drive Odyssey (/Element(?)/Accord Crosstour(?)) platform. The evil marketing people at Honda call what is really an AWD system, like on an Escape or an Aztek, “four wheel drive” and the product planners make them all “4WD” so nobody has to own up to it being an FWD with extra traction. I followed a Pilot the other day and its got the same rebar-looking driveshaft in the rear as the CR-V (another FWD/AWD SUV car).
Buy it for looks, but it is a g** d***ed minivan with a trunk. It is not a truck, and changing the definition of “truck” to make it fit will only fool those who are stupid or don’t care.
Give me the latest Odyssey any day. I’m not too crazy about the new front end treatment, but in every other aspect, it suits me just fine. It’ll hold plenty of stuff, and keep it secure and dry to boot (British pun intended). Plus, for this kid-toting cracker, driving a minivan is keeping it real – no pretending I’m something I’m not. Of course something else I’m not is rich enough to afford the Honda, so I’ll have to make due with my paid off Chrysler protominivan.
Here ya go
