I drove an RTL-E today and commented that I thought the rear slider looked bigger than my '12 RTL. Funny how perceptions differ. Hope the crate issue works out for you!
Saw the Black Edition, rear door opening a buzz kill
Stealer called. They got 4 in, but only one was prepped. Black edition on showroom floor. Took my measuring tape with me. Part of the reason for me to get another Ridgeline was the rear cab for my Malinois. She goes with me everywhere and I only transport in a crate for safety.
The rear door openings are small. Part of the reason is the in door arm rests. Coupled with the doors not opening that wide to begin with, that arm rest kills loading opportunities. I mean the rear cab has a very slim opening via the doors. I have a Leaf for my DD and I measured the rear doors on it. The Leaf has more ingress/egress room through the rear doors than the new RL. So I don't know what you could load in the backseat of the new Ridgeline, a flatscreen box I guess. I'm highly doubting my crate will fit. Maybe up high, even with the glass then angling down as I lower it into the truck. I didn't feel like bringing my crate into the showroom with me as it would be a scene. Will have to wait for them to have one to drive and check then. If it will be either impossible or very difficult for me load a crate in the back of the truck so families aren't going like loading a baby seat in the back of the thing. It will be very narrow/tight, and be a big chore unless you leave them in there most of the time.
I also put the seats up and there is a rear step at the back of the floor at the very end of the cab, it ain't flat. It's like an angle, which will further make it difficult to carry anything large in the rear seat area. Even if my crate could get through the door, which I highly doubt based on my measuring tape, I don't know if it would even sit flat. Would be at an angle and I'd have to move the drivers or passenger seat up a good amount. Kind of bummed all around. Tri-zone climate is ideal for a working dog such as mine. I can keep my animal frosty without freezing my balls off.
This rear seat ingress might have killed the truck for me,
I ain't hating though, rest of the truck is awesome. The interior is outstanding, exterior really outstanding. It has a real nice presence and I think they nailed the look. Looks great in person. Truck is nice and compact yet very roomy from the drivers seat. I was expecting it be bigger and I was pleasantly surprised. The drivers/passenger armrests are great. You can move and lock it into place to get that perfect height whatever size you are. Controls are all well thought out. The rear sliding glass is quite small, seems smaller than the gen 1.
Rear trunk is definitely smaller and no way in hell you will be able to fit even a full size rim in the trunk, never mind a full size tire, that's out. That doughnut spare is jammed in there as is and there is no additional room for anything but that doughnut.
In summary, exterior and interior way better in person than photographs. If you want a Black edition, boy is it nice. It's like a damn luxury truck on the interior, and looks aggressive from the exterior, at least more aggressive than photos let on. Driver/passenger seats are awesome, whole front cab, awesome. Controls are awesome stereo awesome. The rear cab sucks though, maybe it took the hit for that extra length in the bed. Probably a deal breaker for me but I will drive it anyway and maybe I'll be wrong and can get my crate back there. I hope so because I could live with the spare tire situation and man that is a real nice truck. Seating position and everything from the drivers seat is spectacular.
The rear door openings are small. Part of the reason is the in door arm rests. Coupled with the doors not opening that wide to begin with, that arm rest kills loading opportunities. I mean the rear cab has a very slim opening via the doors. I have a Leaf for my DD and I measured the rear doors on it. The Leaf has more ingress/egress room through the rear doors than the new RL. So I don't know what you could load in the backseat of the new Ridgeline, a flatscreen box I guess. I'm highly doubting my crate will fit. Maybe up high, even with the glass then angling down as I lower it into the truck. I didn't feel like bringing my crate into the showroom with me as it would be a scene. Will have to wait for them to have one to drive and check then. If it will be either impossible or very difficult for me load a crate in the back of the truck so families aren't going like loading a baby seat in the back of the thing. It will be very narrow/tight, and be a big chore unless you leave them in there most of the time.
I also put the seats up and there is a rear step at the back of the floor at the very end of the cab, it ain't flat. It's like an angle, which will further make it difficult to carry anything large in the rear seat area. Even if my crate could get through the door, which I highly doubt based on my measuring tape, I don't know if it would even sit flat. Would be at an angle and I'd have to move the drivers or passenger seat up a good amount. Kind of bummed all around. Tri-zone climate is ideal for a working dog such as mine. I can keep my animal frosty without freezing my balls off.
This rear seat ingress might have killed the truck for me,
I ain't hating though, rest of the truck is awesome. The interior is outstanding, exterior really outstanding. It has a real nice presence and I think they nailed the look. Looks great in person. Truck is nice and compact yet very roomy from the drivers seat. I was expecting it be bigger and I was pleasantly surprised. The drivers/passenger armrests are great. You can move and lock it into place to get that perfect height whatever size you are. Controls are all well thought out. The rear sliding glass is quite small, seems smaller than the gen 1.
Rear trunk is definitely smaller and no way in hell you will be able to fit even a full size rim in the trunk, never mind a full size tire, that's out. That doughnut spare is jammed in there as is and there is no additional room for anything but that doughnut.
In summary, exterior and interior way better in person than photographs. If you want a Black edition, boy is it nice. It's like a damn luxury truck on the interior, and looks aggressive from the exterior, at least more aggressive than photos let on. Driver/passenger seats are awesome, whole front cab, awesome. Controls are awesome stereo awesome. The rear cab sucks though, maybe it took the hit for that extra length in the bed. Probably a deal breaker for me but I will drive it anyway and maybe I'll be wrong and can get my crate back there. I hope so because I could live with the spare tire situation and man that is a real nice truck. Seating position and everything from the drivers seat is spectacular.
