Sep
08
The 2009 Honda Ridgeline
Honda definitely made waves with the introduction of the Ridgeline in 2006. Now, three years later, the line is in the middle of its current lifespan and has been granted a minor makeover. The Ridgeline has its proponents and detractors, of course. The truck marked the first entry of Honda into the world of midsize trucks and they have received as much dissension as they have accolades. Much of the consternation concerning the Ridgeline involves its exterior appearance. It is definitely a “love or hate” type of vehicle; most consumers have no middle ground with this truck.
However, the 2009 Honda Ridgeline has several cosmetic upgrades that may help those naysayers find the beauty in the vehicle. The front of the vehicle has been changed substantially and now resembles the newly redesigned Honda Pilot SUV. The facelift included a new grille, new headlights and new front bumper. The fender flares have been expanded, as has the rear bumper. The overall effect is one of more brawn, more masculinity, which the Ridgeline was definitely lacking previously.
The engine is still the same 3.5-liter V6 used in the Pilot and the Odyssey (minivan), though the new intake manifold gives the power a little boost. The transmission has also seen minor revisions, giving it a little more pep off the starting line (or from the stoplight, for that matter). The largest non-cosmetic change was to the ECU software and the way in which it manages engine and transmission operation. This provides greater starting power, without altering the physical structure of the engine or transmission greatly. [Read more →]
