They’re all variations on the Subaru Brat, which was a variation on the El Camino - a variation on the Ranchero.
All of which have been derided by the car world from the start, unfortunately.
Ranchero and El Camino both had 500lb capacities - just like any 1/4 ton pickup.
Brat had a lot less.
The first Ridgeline had a 1700 lb capacity - that’s 3/4 ton truck territory, and all the “real truck” snobs looked down on it. And it was a unit-body SUV chassis.
These are all vehicles that fill a niche. It’s great to have this kind of vehicle where me and a couple friends can load up for mountain biking and then leave the dirty stuff in the bed for the drive home.
The current RAV4 surprised me when I rented one for a trip. Smooth, decent power, quiet. I could see it making a decent little truck.
They’re all variations on the Subaru Brat, which was a variation on the El Camino - a variation on the Ranchero.
All of which have been derided by the car world from the start, unfortunately.
Ranchero and El Camino both had 500lb capacities - just like any 1/4 ton pickup.
Brat had a lot less.
The first Ridgeline had a 1700 lb capacity - that’s 3/4 ton truck territory, and all the “real truck” snobs looked down on it. And it was a unit-body SUV chassis.
These are all vehicles that fill a niche. It’s great to have this kind of vehicle where me and a couple friends can load up for mountain biking and then leave the dirty stuff in the bed for the drive home.
The current RAV4 surprised me when I rented one for a trip. Smooth, decent power, quiet. I could see it making a decent little truck.
Still waiting on the Holden Ute to find its way to US shores 🫤
Subaru brat didn’t actually look bad, but for some reason this Toyota image looked larger and more bulky with a tiny bed.
Someone needs to make an El Camino style EV.
I get this is all subjective, but I don’t know how someone could not think this thing looks terrible. It was a running joke in My Name is Earl.