[Dnick]

Did anyone capture the stream? I'd like another look at it if possible.

Don't know if this got answered, but just go back to the same link & slide the red ball over to the right (way right)... it will start up again there (current time).

 

[Dnick]

Say Joe!
I believe you had previously ruled out VCM for the RL based on early intel.

But since folks continue to ask about it, can you now definitively clarify that RL will NOT have VCM???

 

[Dnick]

How are you going to put a tonneau cover on if there is no lock on the tailgate?

Same as G1.... aftermarket tailgate lock that works with doorlocks.

 

[Dnick]

I agree. Nice flat floor and they cover it up with a console for the shifter.

Agreed.... one of the 'bad' moves in my opinion. That little bit of floor space in front of G1 console was VERY useful indeed. Handy as can be.

 

[Dnick]

I like the look. Clean styling... no testosterone accents.

And wrt "Pilot-like", I'm looking at this truck to see if I like IT. I couldn't care less if there's something else similar out there. But that's just my take.

I do hope they have "gear keeping" ability in the tranny (lock-out 5th &/or 6th gear for instance).

 

[Dnick]

This thread is hilarious. If it were an assignment for an anthropology class the professor would take a look at it and say "Yep, just more proof that humans are predictable in every way, shape and form."

Joe asked for opinions. Most initial thoughts here are negative with a few positive thrown in here and there. Those who are the biggest critics feel the need to post multiple times in hope that someone will agree with them and they won't be the outliers.

What's funny is, six months from now, all the big critics in this thread will gradually get used to it, accept it and then like it.

.... he said as he gazed into the mirror..... :act024:

 

[Dnick]

Maybe instead of "mall-crawler", we can just call this the "civilized truck"? LOL....

Seriously though, it seems that this truck could be personalized to either end of the spectrum to satisfy new owners. If you like the extras (wheel well garnishment, etc.), it's easy enough to add them on - same with lift kits. If you want more refined, then you stay more "clean" so to speak.

 

[Dnick]

For those curious: I was just looking at the rear pics with tailgate open. Note that the 5' wide bed is only that wide up in the bed. The width at the tailgate opening is still only a pinch over 4' (approx.). That works fine... just wanted to clarify.

 

[Dnick]

Anybody else notice the entry/exit-assist grab bars are missing from passenger side front & both sides rear (G1 never had them on driver's side front).

Those made getting in & out very much more convenient if you ever loaded elderly folks in your truck. Worked very nicely in concert with running boards. Handy for the rest of us too on occasion. Can't imagine any reason to remove them other than cost savings.

My wife noticed right away the missing cubby as well. She's not a fan of losing that space. But she thinks the glove box area looks larger than G1. Anyone else think so?

 

[Dnick]

AWD??? Notice that the tailgate now brandishes the "AWD" emblem, where we used to see 4WD (on Gen1 RLs) ???????

What's up with that??

 

[Dnick]

The grab bars are there. In fact, there's one for the driver this time. I saw them in this Youtube video. Watch for them at approx 7:48 minutes into the video.

Edit: Here's a picture of the grab bars as well.

THANKS for that. I'm glad they're not "gone"; but these are not nearly as utilitarian as the ones we had down lower on the pillars. Again, I'll use the senior citizen example. (or even just really short people for that matter)

These are not at the lower, more natural "in-front-of-you" position as the old ones were. These seem to be better for hanging on when your goofy uncle is driving, than for help getting in & out.

 

[Dnick]

Bummer that Joe reported no tailgate lock. Just hard to believe they left that off when nearly every other pickup now has it...increases security for tonneau covers and canopies, reduces tampering with cargo, makes it harder for thieves to steal heavy items in the bed, and thwarts actual theft of tailgate. I know, should be able to get an aftermarket lock but factory-installed is always cleaner and doesn't require keeping track of another key. Maybe Honda will wise up and add this to the 2018.

Aftermarket electric tailgate lock works with door locks (key fob), so no key required. I have a "back-up" keylock installed (was optional) for manual unlock in the case of dead battery or ??? But I've never used it in 10 years. (one of those little keys)

 

[Dnick]

I think they provided exactly what their market survey shows is needed. The proof will be in number of units sold. If mpg's are the same or better than the Pilot then they will sell a lot of these trucks. As I said before you guys are jaded and looking for a Tacoma or Colorado "me too" clone with Honda reliability. Guess what.... those of you who want that are NOT the target demographic. All of your whining and complaining that it is not what you want is useless. It's done and ready to sell to paying customers. If you don't want it don't buy it and move on. Wow, I had forgotten how much whining goes on in this forum! I guarantee you if I buy one I will definitely limit my time here to minutes a year.

Fear not.... the huge majority of whining & complaining has come about in anticipation of the new RL. Once the dust settles, things will get back to helping each other out & sharing anecdotes, I'm sure.

 

[Dnick]

I think it would be nice (& very interesting) to see Gen2 side by side with Gen1 just for grins.

Any of you image tweakers out there up for that? Needs to be same scale of course (which could be tricky). I'm thinking it could be quite a while before we can catch an actual truck next to truck pic of this.

Any takers????

 

[Dnick]

Younger for one thing! :act024: Just kidding...I'm graying rapidly and also don't have much need for audio in the bed. Give me that damn tailgate lock instead! But I can see the in-bed exciter audio system appealing to tailgaters, beach-partiers, people who work next to their trucks, and younger trucksters who like audio everywhere. That in-bed audio is tagged "available" and was in the RTL-E version, along with the in-bed inverter. So I'm guessing the "E" stands for electronic and also includes a head unit upgrade, electric sunroof, electric rear slider window and some other electronic goodies. In other words, you don't necessarily have to buy the in-bed audio system unless it's included in a trim package with other stuff you really want.

FYI, "E" = Elite, I believe.

 

[Dnick]

............ Honda added a fake bed/cab line or indent. I feel this is a deceptive sales approach for Honda and the first time I have seen Honda stray from the truth.

What the heck are you talking about? Where are you seeing this?

You're not talking about the line defining the gap between the cab & bed are you?? Or the line around the rear door? Those are the only lines I see.
Help me out here.......

EDIT: Looking at it again, I'm wondering if you're thinking this is a continuous side body panel.... if that's your impression, then rest assured this is not that, and this is not a "fake" line. The bed is separate from the cab. The close proximity does make this line look "cosmetic" doesn't it.

 

[Dnick]

@ Dnick: I'll have to look tomorrow but thought mine says AWD.......

Nope... not unless they changed it after 2006, which I'm pretty sure they did not! (Yes, That's a "4", not an "A")

 

[Dnick]

This was posted in another thread, FYI:

Nathan from The Fast Lane Car does a video walk around of the new Ridgeline from the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. 10 minutes long.

http://youtu.be/EXmZeeHKp74

My comment is regarding that discussion.... the Honda rep was asked about the engine.... gave straight forward answer. Then Honda rep was asked about the transmission; it's notable IMO that he did NOT give any answer at all, except to say that they are "not releasing all of the specs right now" (or words to that effect).

I can't help but wonder from that response if the 10speed might hit the market sooner than any of us anticipate? I'm just sayin'........

 

[Dnick]

I caught that too and thought it was just weird and probably a miscommunication. Nathan was simply asking for him to describe the tranny in the show truck. The rep may have thought he was asking for specs on gear ratios and gave the standard embargo answer. I mean, the official press release today says the new RL will have the 6-sp AT, so why would the rep hold back that simple piece of information? If Honda is hoping they can still slip the 10AT into the production RL, why write a press release that says it has the 6-sp?

The answer to that might be that they still haven't given up hope of slipping it in for the 2017. It (10sp) wouldn't be in the press release specs if they haven't yet nailed it down. 'Could be just wishful thinking on my part, but that dodgy answer jumped right out at me.

EDIT: Just saw Joe's reply... looks like it was indeed wishful thinking. Thanks for the update Joe! I'm guessing the "additional info" that you can't yet comment on might have been the reason for the dodgy response from that rep as well. We can be patient .... honest.

 

[Dnick]

Honda, like other makers, played games with 4WD/AWD badging depending on what they thought would appeal to targeted buyers. We all know the VTM4 is not at all like the traditional part-time 4WD systems found on most other pickups. It's better for the vast majority of driving situations because it's a full time on-demand system that automatically engages the rear wheels as needed, with a selectable low-speed locking function. Although there's no universal naming convention, I think most people would call that AWD. With the evolution to i-VTM4 and torque vectoring, Honda is making a point to label it AWD in the new RL to call attention to its vast superiority over traditional 4WD for nearly all drivers.

You are right on the money wrt varying perspectives/impressions of the terms (AWD vs. 4WD). I guess Honda has gauged the AWD to be the better to use.

In MY mind, AWD has always been a 'lesser' feature than 4WD... regardless of how it's employed, since methods are all over the map. The implementation & evolution of AWD was pretty weak (less capable) in the early days (frequently only marginal power to secondary axle), but maybe those impressions/perspectives are deemed as long gone. I guess if it's good enough for Audi.....

You see, even saying that sends me back to the 'sense' that AWD is for non-truck vehicles, while 4WD in a truck should be labeled as 4WD. It just seems like you're backing in with something less capable, which is not the case here. Seems just the opposite, which is why this bugs me. Perhaps they are deliberately trying to distance themselves from the blue-collar man-truck connotation of 4WD, while adapting to a more sophisticated notion of AWD?????? (e.g. Audi or Subaru-like implementation) I'm confused.