Like I said the Pilot was and is actually available as a FWD only model in addition to the 4WD model. The Ridgeline was never available in 2WD only configuration. You are correct though that the Ridgeline (and the Pilot) use the VTM-4 system which can be “locked” in certain situations even though they are viscous…

I had one as a company lease car and in my opinion it’s about the right balance of utility and every day practicality. It’s just enough smaller than a full size to be significantly more maneuverable but it rode better and handled 10x better than any of the full size trucks I’ve driven. The trunk is nice and it did…

Last one was 4WD only, wouldn’t expect anything different here. The Pilot is available as a FWD only.

Not so much. They are basically wearing the equivalent of a loose under armor shirt to go with their tough boots and helmet. Most of the pros don’t even wear a roost protector.

As with your other review, if you owned this what would you immediately change? Suspension setting? Exhaust? Fueling? Bars? Lighting?

3. CUVs will fade in popularity as everyone finally wises up and realizes they just want a nice wagon, instead.

It share a top end with the new Pioneer 1000 so you could look up the parts list for that.

One of the best posts I’ve seen in a while. I’m a powersports development engineer and my internet rage was soothed by this gem.

“Cool I can’t wait for Tristan the Wyotech grad to split the cases on my 9 month old $20k sport bike down at Randy’s Yamaha/Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/Polaris/Victory/EZGo in Boca.”

I had a ‘13 company lease RL. The last gen was a supercar in the snow and the traction management was great but the clearance and “crawl” ratio were definitely mall rated. For 90% of Full/midsize buyers the 4wd works well enough for the snow and soft yards to keep from getting stuck. Beyond that you’re playing to a…

I get that. Thanks.

Their current in house boxes are 6 speeds.

False. The only outside transmission is the current 9 speed which comes from ZF.

That’s fair.

That’s fair. RL will never be that.

Out of curiosity what is it missing that you require? The transfer case/low range?

Expect it to be the same as the last gen and cost the exact same as a comparable 4WD Pilot and you can get into one as low as $32k and a loaded leather one will be a little under $38k.

MPG probably isn’t far off. The reason you choose the RL is because you don’t need low range or a locking diff and the comfort/handling that the IRS offers will outweigh them missing. Plus you get the sweet brunk and the two mode tailgate. I’d also bet on it having a lower step in height and better interior packaging…

That’s what Nissan will tell you but in reality it falls into class 2b for GVWR which means it won’t get an EPA fuel economy number on the Moroney and it falls into the HD class for insurance. Class 2b means it’s within the 8500-10000lb range, putting it within spitting distance of the other 2500s.

Meh that 5.0 XD is a weak-ass 3/4 ton and my expectation is that it’ll sell accordingly once people figure out that it costs the same to deliver less.