I just got my latest issue of Car & Driver (June, 2005) & they did an off road comparison test between 5 small pickups. Thay were all 4x4 & had four doors. Chevrolet, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan & Honda. The Tacoma was rated the third best, behind the Nissan & the Honda Ridgeline. The Ridgeline was rated the best of the group. The thing I noticed was that all the other trucks had the 5' beds & the Tacoma had the 6' bed. That means that they didn't test a TRD Off-Road Package. The testers complained that they couldn't throw the Tacoma around like the other trucks & it just wasn't any fun to drive. I feel that the test was like comparing apples & oranges. Of course, if you have the longest truck & without off-road packaging, then it will be more difficult to throw around corners. They also complained that the seating felt like you were sitting on the floor.
That's pretty funny coming from a magazine that takes it's advertising from **gasp** car manufacturers. I remember the test Consumer Reports did on the same group of trucks back about 3 years ago. The Tacoma climbed the off road muddy boulders course with ease while the others had difficulty. I think I'll wait for that magazine to do an updated test using the same trucks. At least their interpretations aren't colored by advertising, they take none.
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2005 Tacoma Doublecab TRD Offroad 4X4 shortbed - Modifications - Fog light mod, Debadged, Black Toyota grille emblem, Map Light Mod, DRL mod
Factory Accessories - Tacoma Bedmat, Extra set of D-rings installed in front bed bolts, Extra set of factory tie downs
Optional Options - FilterMag, Fumoto valve, Westin Suregrip running boards w/LED lights, WeatherTech Floorliners, WeatherTech window visor vents, Prestige remote car starter w/keyless entry, SilverStar headlight and turn signal bulbs, Toytek 2" lift, Muth heated signal mirrors, WAAG grille guard (center only, I'm old school), Taillights tinted by JonsTintedTails.com, Anthracite FJ Cruiser wheels w/ 265/75r16 BFGoodrich A/T
I thought the same thing about them not testing the TRD Sport or the short bed - it would have made a more fair comparison. I definitely did not agree about interior styling either - they rated both the Nissan and Honda better, and neither one looks as good as the Tacoma IMHO. Another thing to take into account - I have subscribed to Car and Driver for a long time, and I have never seen a comparison test with a Honda product in it where the Honda didn't come in first. Sometimes I'm sure the Honda is the best product, but almost every time? I doubt it. I'm voting with my money personally - once I sell my Celica I'm getting a Tacoma, and I wouldn't even consider any of the other trucks in that test.
Most of these comparos are more like "Which manufacturer can give me the most money to praise their vehicle?" contests than actual tests of the vehicles...
hey im buyoing a tacoma but did they test nissans nismo package.... if not .. .all trucks were basically stock.. so dont complain... even tho tacos r better
Car & Driver is mainly aimed at street / road machines... Why would you put a lot of stock in what they have to say about off-roading?
Notice that the *only* way to get the Honda Ridgeline into a point-by-point comparo would be to look at stripped-down 4wd 4-doors. Add in a serious offroading package or focus on a 2-seat configuration, and there's literally no Ridgeline that qualifies for inclusion...
In other words - the only context in which a Ridgeline could compete is the same context that's suboptimal for the Tacoma.
I would think one would expect favoritism (sp?) for toyota , on a toyota website , I would expect the exact same "partialness" on the ridgeline site. What im talking about is what ive seen for years in these magazines that cater to certain car companies , we have all seen them . Personally I cant get past the ridgelines looks , Its not for me , I dont see anybody in denial trying to justify their purchace of a tacoma , most likely just voiceing their opinion , I cant remember the last time I picked up a mag with straight forward as equal as possible comparison . I doubt its possible to have a true apples to apples comparison without someone complaining that the field was not even ?
hes dying for someone to agree with him so he can justify his purchase of an ugly vehicle.
ill be the first to say honda quality is great and the interior is very nice and the options are handy, but the thing is just plain ugly. if it wasnt for that id be kicking myself in the *** for buying a taco.
as cool as the trunk is and black leather is also nice, i still wouldnt want a ridgeline. if you want to hear that go to the honda forums
Didn't any of you read the edmunds comparison of pickups? It doesn't include the Ridgeline, but of the five tested the Tacoma had the fastest acceleration, stopped in the shortest distance, and went through the slalom fastest. When you look at "real world" rather than the opinions of brain-dead magazine writers, it's obvious which truck is best.
I haven't read the Car & Driver comparison test yet, but I think we can all agree that the Tacoma is better suited for off-roading/cargo hauling while the Ridgeline is better suited for on-road/people hauling. Of course the Tacoma's solid rear axle, extra ground clearance, and real frame make for a good solid truck, but the Ridgeline's 4 wheel independent suspension, lower stance, and unit body constuction make it better as a "functional on-roader". It all comes down to personal preference. I'll take the Tacoma.
Personally gents... I wouldn't put a lot of "stock" in whatever Car & Driver says. For the most part, the editors are quite biased and IMPO (for the most part) they're ALL horsepower junkies! If the vehicle "ain't" got the highest HP for a vehicle in it's particular class, you can almost "count on", the editors to give it low marks in general... PERIOD. Doesn't really seem to matter, if the vehicle beats the others, in nearly every "real world" comparison, if it "ain't" got that "HP", they're NOT gonna' vote for it. Case in point... Toyota's Tundra DC. In C&D's 2004 comparison article on all full size, 4-door 4WD pick-ups, the editors gave the Tundra DC the EXACT SAME SPOT (3rd place) as it did the new Tacoma, in this recent article! Coincident? Me "thinks" not... .
Hmmm... fact is, me thinks something isn't quite right here?! I personally think (again just MPO), that Car & Driver is doing all it can, to "save" the OTHER manufacturers from going "belly-up", when you take into consideration, just how strong Toyota actually "IS" right now, in the American car market. The other manufacturers are struggling to keep pace (especially with reliability & dependability) and by releasing an article that places (anything Toyota) down a notch or two, it "seems to be, worth printing.
Personally... like most of you have indicated, Car & Driver is kinda' out of their expertise (if you will) here in the truck market. I'd have to agree... they should just stick to what they know best... C-A-R-S!
__________________ 2004 SR5 Double Cab 4x4 w/TRD Pkg. Mods to Date:
16" 5 Spoke Brawn Enkei Wheels, Keyless Entry, Line-X Bed Liner, Challenger Running Boards, Husky Floor Liners, Bug Flector II (painted to match), Colegan Bra, Borla Dual (Side-Exit) Exhaust System, 2" Wheeler's Coil Lift, TRD Add-A-Leafs Mods to Come:
265/75/16 BFG A/T's, Possible Mods:
Seat Covers, 3M Clear Bra (hopefully... just cost so friggin' much!)
PLus what fun is it too wheel an IFS rig anyways. I couldn't stand it it went on too build a truck with a solid front axle to truly have a fun off road and not just on bumpy dirt roads. I like reading Car and Driver. I read it monthly. Often I don't agree with there ratings, but then again I never tested all these cars or tested them back to back for that matter. I like the Nissan Frontier and wouldn't really get bothered by the fact that they beat out the Toyota. But I am surprised by the Honda, but then again they went there pants over hondas. I'm not knocking the ridgeline, but I'm willing to bet 9 out of 10 people say that thing is ugly.
I thought the same thing about them not testing the TRD Sport or the short bed - it would have made a more fair comparison. I definitely did not agree about interior styling either - they rated both the Nissan and Honda better, and neither one looks as good as the Tacoma IMHO. Another thing to take into account - I have subscribed to Car and Driver for a long time, and I have never seen a comparison test with a Honda product in it where the Honda didn't come in first. Sometimes I'm sure the Honda is the best product, but almost every time? I doubt it. I'm voting with my money personally - once I sell my Celica I'm getting a Tacoma, and I wouldn't even consider any of the other trucks in that test.
Car & Driver Magazine Comparo
Since you're proud to be non-Toyota, it sounds like you're suffering from a bad case of Tacoma-Envy.
Coincident? 
Me "thinks" not... 
I personally think (again just MPO), that Car & Driver is doing all it can, to "save" the OTHER manufacturers from going "belly-up", when you take into consideration, just how strong Toyota actually "IS" right now, in the American car market. The other manufacturers are struggling to keep pace (especially with reliability & dependability) and by releasing an article that places (anything Toyota) down a notch or two, it "seems to be, worth printing.
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