This vehicle you mention would satisfy a lot of people who aren't "explorers" (why buy a truck for "exploring", when you are only going to be
"exploring" 1% of the driving time, or less?), but want the convenience of a truck bed and the fuel economy of an SUV. And while Ridgelines dont have
true 4wd, the electronic traction control available in many vehicles these days is plenty good for most loose surface conditions.
Many here are forgetting that, by far, the fastest growing, and maybe the largest (in terms of units sold) segment of the RV industry is the
lightweight trailer at 20 feet or under. Look on the road this summer, while you are vacationing. Look in the campgrounds. These things are taking
over. And I'm not talking about the R-pod like vehicles that are basically little more than sleeping quarters.
I think one of these will be in my future pretty soon. Many have clearance for taking on dirt roads, 'cause they know that's what people want. Many
have queen sized Murphy beds with true mattresses that dont have to fold. When the bed is up, there is a full sized sofa under it.
And many don't force you to deal with a built in dinette that is never very comfortable to sit in longer than it takes to eat a meal. So, you can have
comfortable chairs and a moveable, foldable table that can be set up outside, too. This even frees up space to have even recliners in there.
Yeah, they can be towed with an SUV. And SUVs have some comfort, convenience and security benefits over a mid-sized truck with an open bed. But one
trend that I am disappointed in, with respect to SUVs, is the move away from the rear window that can be opened or lowered independent of the
"tailgate". That can limit how long an object you can put in an SUV.
We now own a second generation Toyota Highlander. This thing is so easy to drive on the highway or dirt roads, compared to the still-going-strong F350
or the Jeep LJ. At 65 mph on the highway, it still gets 28-30 mpg. Nice! You can just feel the reliability in this thing. Everything works, everything
is predictable (brakes, acceleration, turning, suspension) as far as driveability goes........even with over 100k miles.
But it does suffer from what every Toyota I have ever owned suffers from. Rather crappy interior, smallish seats and very poor sound insulation from
road noise. And that tailgate window issue.
But it is roomy for an SUV that gets that kind of mileage. It will literally seat seven (third row in back). Not that comfortably, but fine for being
the occasional carpool vehicle for dinner out with friends or heading to the pickleball courts.
Where I'm going with this is, one needs to really analyze your present and future needs and figure out whether you actually need a vehicle as capable
as a F-150-350 or a Tacoma or 4Runner, or whether some truck hybrid like an SUV or Ridgeline is all you need. Don't base it on 1-2 trips to Baja in a
year. The savings in fuel economy can be significant; like 20-30% in some cases.
I plan on keeping the F350 and the Highlander. There will be trips to the developed campground that make sense for the SUV to tow the light travel
trailer. And there will be more middle-of-nowhere trips where the F350 will tow the trailer and the ATV will be in the bed of the truck.
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......guess who?