Looks like they just gave it a slight face life to match the grille on the new Honda pilot




Honda pilot


:
Probably the most obvious changes to the vehicle for '09 are cosmetic, meaning the front fascia is clearly designed to look more familial with the recently released and redesigned Honda Pilot. Grille and headlights are more integrated with a new color and shape for the front and rear light housings. The front bumpers have a new small stepout, almost like a rim, that melds right into the wheel arch, giving the new Ridgeline a more masculine look -- bigger tire flare and bigger bumpers tend to do that for trucks. The rear bumper continues the bigger bumper theme, as it wraps around the side of the truck and flows right into the more pronounced wheelflares.



http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/pickup/163_0808_2009_honda_ridgeline_first_look/index.html  

It's a shame that reviews of this vehicle are so short sided.
I spent much of an hour exploring all the features before even turning the key.
It's as if some features don't even exist in on-line reviews.
Now if one is exploring a new vehicle that never saw one before, they would never know. The Ridgeline should be explored, Or you will miss some cool stuff built in.
I get the feeling review writers simply copy paste generic posts from others who never sat in one, crawled under one, or opened a door.
Guess I missed my calling.  

It seems Honda will always have the uphill battle to fight for their pickups just because the Ridgeline is new and because no one expects it to be a) good or b) wanted. The Fords and Dodges and Toyotas have been around so long; that's what people will flock to for their trucks. The Ridgeline is quite innovative, and with the finance offers available for the 2008 MY, they are quite attractive as well.

They need to be featured in a movie or something to get some "street cred."