Mazda has a Pick up truck.... In Australia. Known as the BT-50
It actually did really well when TFL used it to tow at it's max on the Ike Gauntlet.
It seems pickup truck is getting more popular nowadays. Two out of three sons of my friend both bought Toyota truck lately before the new Honda Ridgeline was available. But they don't live in Texas where majority of the pickup trucks sold, they all are in California! I did recommend Honda Ridgeline but none of them were willing to wait for it coming out.... Should be getting my Honda truck soon and will update with driving impressions.
Going to miss the CX 5.
Comparing a truck to an SUV is odd, some may say but read on.
Motorweek (PBS) had a review of the new CX 9 on its latest program.
Basically they really liked the CX, didn't mention the lack of front seat adjustment and got 22 MPG overall with it. 7.4 seconds for 0 60.
The signature trim was tested and John Davis had nothing negative to say about the interior whatsoever.
I was giving some serious thought (test drove a '16) on checking out a 2017 CX 9 but then discovered the new Honda Ridgeline.
Our RTL E should be delivered in mid-October.
Since the kids are grown we don't need three row seating, we will be trading our CX 5 and selling our '95 Toyota T100 PU, we will move from three vehicles to two.
The Pilot based RL is every bit as comfortable as a CX 9, the AWD gets 21 MPG overall - Car & Driver got 28 MPG in one on a highway loop - and does 0 60 in 6.6 seconds.
Of course the CX drives better, but the RL doesn't feel yuge like some trucks and handles really well in city driving for a PU.
We basically view this vehicle as a Pilot with a bed as does Car & Driver which has an article on it in this month's edition.
Ha, Kedis82ZE8, you're really all over the place looking for a replacement of your out-going Ford Explorer! Personally I believe a big SUV with a V8 such as Lexus LX should be the best choice for you. Of course a pickup adds some different cool factor right now. Honda Ridgeline? It's a very nice and unique truck. But the use of timing belt and cylinder management system turns me off! In fact, Honda V6 is the only major car manufacture still using timing belt and problematic cylinder de-activation system on a V6. You don't want the hassle of expensive routine timing belt replacement on a V6 for the next 20 years! (whistle)In looking at Explorer replacements I've been all over the place SUV & truck-wise and am thinking the Ridgeline might fit the bill for me. This would be another 20 year vehicle if I bought one.
Since you're looking for a vehicle with big towing capability for the next 20 years, I'd think getting a vehicle which is most reliable and has less big maintenance items are your goal; hence Lexus and Toyota SUVs and pickups are the most likely candidates for you. If I were you I'd pay a little more for a newer MY which has timing chain equipped V8 or V6, and forget about the worries of timing belt replacement altogether.I saw that about timing belt yesterday on Ridgeline... it did give me pause. It wouldn't be as big of a deal for me but it appears it is also an interference motor.
EDIT: Toyota/Lexus V8s during the 2000's all use timing belts as well except for the 5.7L they released around 2007. The Lexus GX didn't get a chain until 2010 and the LX got the 5.7L in 2007 IIRC.
Another black mark on the Ridgeline on upper tier models is the Infotainment unit. Watched many videos how slow it can be. It looks like some functions are even slower than unit in my '15 CX-5. It is apparently based on old Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean). It does support Car Play and AA but looking at the lag on things as simple as the audio controls is kind of a turn off. Apparently the steering wheel volume controls have same lag.
Don't get me wrong... Infotainment is not a high priority for me but it appears this one could be a moving & distraction/safety issue just to change a station.
The new one looks more like a pickup truck than the older models which I like. Also is the timing belt really covered under Honda care? I thought that Honda care doesn't cover regular maintenance items. Also I like the Honda care because it is the cheapest extended warranty when compared to mazda, ford and gm. With gm being the most expensive and mazda coming in second by what I saw as far as their price on the website.
Ha, Kedis82ZE8, you're really all over the place looking for a replacement of your out-going Ford Explorer! Personally I believe a big SUV with a V8 such as Lexus LX should be the best choice for you. Of course a pickup adds some different cool factor right now. Honda Ridgeline? It's a very nice and unique truck. But the use of timing belt and cylinder management system turns me off! In fact, Honda V6 is the only major car manufacture still using timing belt and problematic cylinder de-activation system on a V6. You don't want the hassle of expensive routine timing belt replacement on a V6 for the next 20 years! (whistle)
Honda can't be the best selling automaker on the planet. It's Toyota in recent years and VW took the crown for a short period of time in 2015. Honda is small comparing to these large automakers.On the timing belts: The average cost for a Honda Ridgeline Timing Belt Replacement is between $484 and $618 at 100K.
I have HondaCare so if in the rare, rare, case that I have an issue it will be covered.
And this perceived problem is not nearly as serious as some would have you think.
I mean, Honda IS the best selling automaker on the planet and I can think of only two real duds from them, the first hybrid and the Crosstour.