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Cars.com and Motor Week together tested four midsize trucks. Toyota would not submit a Toyota Tacoma for testing so that is why it was excluded. They deemed the Nissan truck to be too old a design to be competitive. The rankings may upset hardcore truck fans. The Ford Ranger was surprising as the turbo four acceleration with a thousand pounds in the bed barely measured a difference from empty bed acceleration. The GMC in Denali form didn’t feel as upscale as some competitors. The Jeep was just too expensive for what you got. I’m sure hard core Jeep fans will be willing to put up the money for the Jeep truck.
Number one on their list was the Honda Ridgeline. In the Motorweek episode for the test they pointed out how today’s midsize trucks are nearly the size of full size trucks a generation ago.
“We rate four $50,000 trucks and pick a minivan with a bed as the winner.” Dumb. Who is spending $50k on a midsize truck. The test is useless for most people especially when it ignores two of the top offerings, the Tacoma and Frontier
“We rate four $50,000 trucks and pick a minivan with a bed as the winner.” Dumb. Who is spending $50k on a midsize truck. The test is useless for most people especially when it ignores two of the top offerings, the Tacoma and Frontier
I would have preferred a test of the near base model offerings. Base engine with mid level options package which are usually the big volume sellers. At that price range you’re moving up to a full size truck.
I would have preferred a test of the near base model offerings. Base engine with mid level options package which are usually the big volume sellers. At that price range you’re moving up to a full size truck.
John Davis on Motor Week has had an definite bias against Detroit vehicles for a couple decades. Remember, it's based in Maryland, Land of the European Car.
“We rate four $50,000 trucks and pick a minivan with a bed as the winner.” Dumb. Who is spending $50k on a midsize truck. The test is useless for most people especially when it ignores two of the top offerings, the Tacoma and Frontier
They're all useless as trucks due to stupidly short beds. Most people use trucks - even big ones - as cars anyway, so if I was buying a "truck" and didn't plan to use it as one, I suppose the Ridgeline is as good a choice as any. I personally wouldn't buy any of these. For the same price I can get a full-size truck with useful bed. In the end, if you actually need a truck, buy a full-sized one. If you don't need/want a farm implement, but carry a lot of stuff - minivan. Otherwise, a car is the right answer.
Funny Ridgeline sighting in a movie. Some city slickers were visiting relatives on a farm. The city folks were in a Range Rover. The farm folks had a Ridgeline. The city slicker mentioned taking a look at the back forty and the farmer scoffed, saying the Ridgeline was a far more capable off-roader than the Ranger Rover and he should take the Ridgeline instead. I'm not much of an off-roading enthusiast, but that made me laugh out loud.
They're all useless as trucks due to stupidly short beds. Most people use trucks - even big ones - as cars anyway, so if I was buying a "truck" and didn't plan to use it as one, I suppose the Ridgeline is as good a choice as any. I personally wouldn't buy any of these. For the same price I can get a full-size truck with useful bed. In the end, if you actually need a truck, buy a full-sized one. If you don't need/want a farm implement, but carry a lot of stuff - minivan. Otherwise, a car is the right answer.
Funny Ridgeline sighting in a movie. Some city slickers were visiting relatives on a farm. The city folks were in a Range Rover. The farm folks had a Ridgeline. The city slicker mentioned taking a look at the back forty and the farmer scoffed, saying the Ridgeline was a far more capable off-roader than the Ranger Rover and he should take the Ridgeline instead. I'm not much of an off-roading enthusiast, but that made me laugh out loud.
Locally some ranchers/farmers have ATVs. Some of these are like the original Army Jeep in size, power, and capability. These things can be in the $5,000 range new depending on brand and options. Some can be optioned like a small utility truck. Some can haul four or more people safely like for a ranch or work crew.
hey pointed out how today’s midsize trucks are nearly the size of full size trucks a generation ago.
But the beds are smaller than ever. Compact, mid-size, and full-size trucks have gotten huge in recent years with no corresponding increase in bed-size. I had old Mitsubishi pickup with a 7 foot bed that could carry more stuff than a friend's new F150 with a 5 1/2 foot bed. And the Mitsubishi is tiny compared to the F150. GM is the worst with their ridiculously over-sized front ends. Forward vision is severely compromised and, frankly, it looks disproportionate and stupid. Plus, ride heights have increased over the years so that lift-over on even 2WD trucks makes them less useful for cargo due to loading difficulties. As suburbanites and city dwellers have embraced pickups, they have become much less useful for those of us who actually use trucks as trucks.
Locally some ranchers/farmers have ATVs. Some of these are like the original Army Jeep in size, power, and capability. These things can be in the $5,000 range new depending on brand and options. Some can be optioned like a small utility truck. Some can haul four or more people safely like for a ranch or work crew.
ATVs and side-by-sides make fantastic farm vehicles.
I stated laughing at the 56,000 THOUSAND dollar sticker for a POS Chrysler/Jeep product. I saw a Gladiator a few days ago. Ugly as funk. But I’m sure it will sell like crazy to the Jeep fanboys.
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