Winding Road Unmasked: 2009 Honda Ridgeline

[Honda News Feed]

As expected, Honda’s controversial Ridgeline is set to receive its first significant refresh for 2009, and the folks at Temple of VTEC have managed to procure a set of revealing spy shots.

The Ridgeline receives a new front end that includes a different bumper cap, and a new set of lights that look to be combination fog/DRL units. Styling draws heavily on the 2009 Pilot, itself a newly controversial design. Out back, the new ‘Line receives revamped taillamps, and a new bumper cap. The 18-inch fluted 5-spoke alloys are also new, and ToV reports that this particular tester (which appears to be a high-end RTL model) wears 245/60 R18 Michelin LTX shoes.

No word yet on modifications inside, or under the hood.

With the market rapidly shifting away from traditional pickups and body-on-frame SUVs to lighter and smaller-engined vehicles, is now finally the Ridgeline’s time? Or will these incremental improvements and a still-not-stellar 15/20 city/highway EPA rating continue to brand it as an also-ran? Click on the link below to see full images of the '09 Ridgeline, and then have your say in ‘Comments.’

+ Temple of VTEC: Spied: 2009 Honda Ridgeline MMC *




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