For every Ford model except Mustang and F-150, I'd agree. However, I was very impressed with my 99 F-150 I bought new for $26.5k & traded for $12.5K after 4.5 years and 70k miles. 47% of what I paid. My 2003 Screw has also held its value very well vs. what I paid, about 60% dealer trade quotes over 3 years and including a major model redesign. I sold my 2002 Lexus for 62% of what I paid after only 2 yrs 40k mies. There wer eno incentives on my 99 when I bought it, but I had A-plan. I got about $10k off MSRP on my 2003 Screw, so comparing trade price to MSRP is quite worse. Also, everyone gets their own price new and for sale/trade. I can only account for my own buying methods.

 

Fuel economy -- I have no data to offer rebuttal...

Ride quality -- I respectfully disagree. Having driven both, I felt that the F-150 Supercrew (new body style) offered a much nicer ride. Again though, this is a subjective thing so, I would certainly honor any other opinions -- that's just mine.

 

Data should be read in the following order:
FORD

Ridgeline RTS

Ridgeline RT

Ridgeline RTL



2006 FORD F-150 REGULAR CAB 4X4


126-in. WB FX4 Styleside







2006 HONDA RIDGELINE


RTS







2006 HONDA RIDGELINE


RT

2006 HONDA RIDGELINE


RTL


INTERIOR

126-in. WB FX4 Styleside RTS RT RTL


SEATING



Front Split Bench Seat





Front 40/20/40 Folding Split Bench Seat With Manually Adjustable Outboard Headrests and Fold-Down Center Armrest (Standard)




Not Available




Not Available




Not Available




ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS




Cassette Player





Optional (NO CHARGE)




Not Available




Not Available




Not Available




OTHER INTERIOR ITEMS




Adjustable Foot Pedals





Optional




Not Available




Not Available




Not Available




PERFORMANCE
126-in. WB FX4 Styleside RTS RT RTL


Horsepower @ RPM





300@5000




247@5750




247@5750




247@5750




Torque @ RPM




365@3750




245@4500




245@4500




245@4500




Displacement (cc)




5400




3471




3471




3471




Bore X Stroke (in.)





3.55 X 4.17




3.50 X 3.66




3.50 X 3.66




3.50 X 3.66




Driveline




Four Wheel Drive - Part Time




Four Wheel Drive - Full Time




Four Wheel Drive - Full Time




Four Wheel Drive - Full Time




Turning Diameter (Left)





41.8




42.6




42.6




42.6




Turning Diameter (Right)





41.8




42.6




42.6




42.6




DIMENSIONS, WEIGHTS, CAPACITIES

126-in. WB FX4 Styleside RTS RT RTL


Wheelbase (in.)





125.8




122.0




122.0




122.0




Track Width Rear (in.)





67.0




66.9




66.9




66.9




Fuel Capacity (gal.)





26.0




22.0




22.0




22.0




Front Head Room (in.)





40.9




40.7




40.7




40.7




Front Leg Room (in.)





41.3




40.8




40.8




40.8




Front Shoulder Room (in.)





66.5




63.2




63.2




63.2




Front Hip Room (in.)





65.4




57.6




57.6




57.6




Length (in.)





211.2




206.8




206.8




206.8




Width (in.)




78.9




77.8




77.8




77.8




TOWING



Standard Tow Capacity (lbs.)





7600




5000




5000




5000




Maximum Tow Capacity (lbs.)





7600




5000




5000




5000




Standard Payload (lbs.)




1680




1558




1549




1554




Maximum Payload (lbs.)





1680




1558




1549




1554




Standard GVWR (lbs.)




6850




6050




6050




6050




Maximum GVWR (lbs.)





6850




6050




6050




6050




Bedlength (in.)




78.8




60.0




60.0




60.0




Bedwidth Wheel (in.)


50.0


49.5


49.5


49.5




Bed Height (in.)


22.3


20.7
20.7

20.7


Signaling Exterior Mirrors

Optional

Not Available

Not Available

Not Available

Rear Window Defogger

Optional

Not Available

Not Available

Not Available

Electronic Parking Aid

Optional

Not Available

Not Available

Not Available

Access Panel

Standard


NOt Available




Not Available




Not Available




Underbody Tire Carrier


Standard




Not Available




Not Available




Not Available






Driver's Door Keyless Entry Keypad





Standard




Not Available




Not Available




Not Available

.

 

This link compares the 2 safety ratings. The Ford has not been tested for side impact (a plus for the Honda), both have same rollover rating. To fords credit, it is almost 1,000 lbs heavier. The fine print reads not to compare if they are'nt within 250 lbs. I think thats a huge advantage to safety on the Ford. Heavier doesn't always mean safer, but in head on collisions it is usually an advantage.

http://www.safercar.gov/Index2.cfm

Oops, link didnt save the comparison, but it gets to the site to do it.

 

I had a couple critiques of the Supercrew from my test drive but haven't driven the Ridgeline (yet) to compare.

Overall, I really liked how responsive the F150 was off the line, how it handled, and how great the brakes seemed to work. However, I noticed that the tranny seemed very slow to shift when "trying" to accelerate, and that it lacked power going up hills. In general, this would not likely be a fatal flaw for me since my roadrace legend days are over.

My 1st concern with the F150 is reliability, and 2nd is fuel economy. I "think" the 4.6 has a good track record and that the 2wd XLT truck has less stuff to break (my 1st ford was a 99 XL work series... very reliable). Real-world gas mileage from reviews I've read is poor... 12-15 average.

The Ridgeline doesn't "seem" to have reliability woes thus far besides some windshield seal woes. From the reviews I've read, users are actually seeing 15+ mpg real-world.

 

I don't think the F150 offers side-curtain airbags. With that much mass it shouldn't be an issue as long as you get hit by something small

 

Ford sells 600k F-150's a year. I wouldn't worry about reliability. Fuel economy varies widely for 2004 F-150's from what I read, anywhere from 11mpg to 20mpg depending on how it is driven and what drivetrain.

 

If you are asking yourself that question, you don't really need a truck, just get the Ridgeline.

 

You might be right, of course I don't know how the Ridgeline could be called anything but a truck. I went and test-drove one today at lunch. It's actually quite similar in size, price, and utility to the F150 supercrew w/5.5' bed I first drove.

Overall impressions of Ridgeline vs F150 SC 5.5' in no specific order:
Styling- not bad when you see it in person. That's a plus when you like to be different.
Utility- on par with f150 (for what I plan to haul) , and better if you add the roof rack.
Safety- Comes with side air curtains and stability control, ABS and brake assist.... all voodoo stuff that should keep women on the road
Some blind spots... seems to be somewhat worse than F150
Ride- Equally good like F150
Road Noise- F150 is noticeably quieter
Power- More responsive, quicker shifting, and revs more freely than ford (vtec I guess).

Overall conclusions: IMO, it's basically a tie. I can't think of any real tie-breakers other than brand loyalty or ignorant macho "it's not a truck unless it's an unreliable gas hog" stuff . If Honda or Ford comes back with that 0% financing that would probably seal the deal for one or the other. I'm leaning toward the Honda based on reputation, but it all comes down to $$ in the end.

 

Looks like a space-age El Camino...I just don't like the body style.

 

I started to say earlier that the Ridgeline is pretty much an El Camino or a Ranchero.

 

Man, if it's that close between the two, for you, I'd suggest some heavy research into the local dealarships service departments. Talk with people who have used them.

Personally, I'd prefer a service department who are friendly, knowledgable, and well staffed. Who are known for going the "extra mile" for the customer.

Service departments with good customer relations go a long way in the decision making process, for me.

Best of luck.

 

Actually I think that's fair, and it does have a lot of "space-age" stuff. The inside does kinda look like a plastic space ship! I was breezing the broshure and noticed even the entry level ridgeline has a push-button locking diff, power sliding rear window, and traction control.

I wish Ford would do that kind of thing.

 

Why not a Nissan Titan?

 

I know people say the F150 is really tough but didnt someone on this board get hit by a small car which basically ripped the whole rear end off the F150?