14. 2006 to 2008 Honda Ridgeline
Honda introduced its first pickup in 2006, which was a sign Honda wanted to enter the full-size truck game. Even though the idea, design and equipment were spot on, the mechanics were problematic. The Ridgeline was the only full-sized truck featuring an independent rear suspension and unibody construction without the typical ladder-type chassis.
This meant the Ridgeline was just a lifestyle truck with a small payload and towing capacity. Nissan built it to haul light trailers and nothing more. Basically, it was a truck for people who didn’t need a truck. Under the hood was a 3.5-liter V6 engine that didn’t have a lot of torque at 247 lb-ft. Yet all the problems with Ridgeline came from those upgrades. Since they made this truck for highway driving and not for towing or hauling, when somebody used the Ridgeline for any real purpose, things started to break. The suspension and cross members failed, and the engine would burn too much oil, emitting a gray-blue smoke.
Although the 3.5-liter V6 was perfect for the Accord or any other mid-size sedan, in a pickup truck with pulling and carrying duties, it wasn’t enough. So, if you want this kind of truck, you can find the Ridgeline at a relatively inexpensive price, but the signature Honda reliability doesn’t come with it.
A used truck is an affordable alternative to a new one; however, be sure to check the year and look for any recalls, too. You don’t want to end up with a used lemon that will cost you more than a new pickup.