I agree, the tapered headlights really remove the feeling of mass from the front end. OTOH, I was at the Honda dealership last weekend and looked at the '09 Pilot, and the front end looks a lot better in real life than in the pictures.
Jeff wrote: Maybe it's just me, but I think the '09 Pilot would look a lot better with this face.
I agree.
That said, I always thought the original Ridgeline should have been based on the last generation Pilot (just slice off the upper rear and form a truck bed).
I also agree. I like the tapered headlights, and the nice horizonal line along the top of the grill-headlights is much cleaner than the top of the Pilot.
I have to disagree. While the Pilot DOES look better in person, I still think the headlight and grille combo is way too much for the vehicle. Lose the middle "accent" piece in the centre of the grille and it would be better.
With the uproar over the face of the Pilot earlier this year, WHY would they commit to the same style grille for the Ridgeline!? SIMPLE IS BETTER.
I like the six sided grille, but lose the center piece! Ugh!
I ALSO agree 110%...We just bought a 2008 Highlander Ltd to replace our 2004 Pilot EX-L and I would have considered "overlooking" the lack of HP and towing capacity for the new Pilot if wasn't so damn fugly...
By the way, the 270 hp in the Highlander is a NOTICEABLY better tow rig that the '04 Pilot (240 hp under the old SAE)...So my assumption is the '09 Pilot at 253 hp would be only marginally better...and I have a 4250 lb boat to tow, so I don't have a lot of leeway in V6 SUVs...
It's going to a long two years before the next one, if there is a next gen Ridge. I think its obvious Honda's focus is back where it belongs. Small, efficient well built cars. I hope they put some effort into the Civic MMC. This car could very well be the top seller in North America for Honda in the coming years.
Yeah... my main gripe with this one is the foglights, otherwise the update looks pretty good. My gripe with the pilot is the random strip of chrome along the top
You need to drive the new Pilot. In person it looks good and blows the Highlander away in just about every way. I have a last gen Pilot The towing as good as I would want without a Diesel and the MPG's on that is far better than the EPA says. I can't get below 20 with mine. I'll bet the true numbers of the pilot will get allot better than the Highlander. I don't think the EPA rates the VCM very well.
klossfam wrote: I ALSO agree 110%...We just bought a 2008 Highlander Ltd to replace our 2004 Pilot EX-L and I would have considered "overlooking" the lack of HP and towing capacity for the new Pilot if wasn't so damn fugly...
By the way, the 270 hp in the Highlander is a NOTICEABLY better tow rig that the '04 Pilot (240 hp under the old SAE)...So my assumption is the '09 Pilot at 253 hp would be only marginally better...and I have a 4250 lb boat to tow, so I don't have a lot of leeway in V6 SUVs...
Much better front than the Pilot's, but this one gives the illusion of sleepy eyes.
The fog-lights look pretty good to me, fairly well integrated, fitting in decently with the other shapes as well as they don't seem out of place. Maybe for trucks the standard is different from cars, where it's okay to have boxier fronts, so square fogs is more acceptable.
PGH wrote: It's going to a long two years before the next one, if there is a next gen Ridge. I think its obvious Honda's focus is back where it belongs. Small, efficient well built cars. I hope they put some effort into the Civic MMC. This car could very well be the top seller in North America for Honda in the coming years.
I think Honda had to grow in ways they didn't expect over the last 20 years. Pushed to build Trucks and SUVs, then V8 and V10 motors (Acura) when they're a do more with less kind of company. Still, if you don't have a variety of vehicles in your line, when your customer needs a car you don't make they're forced to leave the family. So now they make Trucks and SUVs. With VCM,V8, and Diesel options now on they're way it seems Honda is in the truck segment to stay. And will have the resources to be competitive in a Honda kind of way.
And yes, ironic as it is, now the Pilot would look better with the Ridgeline front end.
Brent - I'm too scared to even look at the new Pilot for fear of damage to my retinas aka I HATE HOW IT LOOKS...I tried to be loyal to Honda/Acura (I've owned a 2001 Ody EX, 2002 TL-S, 2004 TSX and the 2004 Pilot EX-L)...but they just aren't cutting it anymore (went to a 2008 Infiniti G35xS for my personal driver)...
Half of the Highlander's towing advantage over the older Pilots is the set up of the 5 spd auto...With a 4,000 lb load, the Pilot was just looking for a reason to kick down to 3rd unnecessarily. The Highlander - on the same road/grade - will run along in 5th gear at 1900 rpm with the 4000 lb load. It doesn't lug and it doesn't kick down...Honestly, the Pilot was not even close in towing ability...I get my FULL 270hp without VCM and our worst tank is 17.6 mpg (towing involved) and our best is 23.1 mpg (rated 17/23)...All with less than 3000 miles on the HL...
P.S. I will admit I liked the road feel of the Pilot better as the electric steering in the HL is lifeless - but it does make it easy for backing trailers, etc...and it obviously helps save fuel vs conventional hydraulic power steering...
klossfam wrote: Brent - I'm too scared to even look at the new Pilot for fear of damage to my retinas aka I HATE HOW IT LOOKS...I tried to be loyal to Honda/Acura (I've owned a 2001 Ody EX, 2002 TL-S, 2004 TSX and the 2004 Pilot EX-L)...but they just aren't cutting it anymore (went to a 2008 Infiniti G35xS for my personal driver)...
Half of the Highlander's towing advantage over the older Pilots is the set up of the 5 spd auto...With a 4,000 lb load, the Pilot was just looking for a reason to kick down to 3rd unnecessarily. The Highlander - on the same road/grade - will run along in 5th gear at 1900 rpm with the 4000 lb load. It doesn't lug and it doesn't kick down...Honestly, the Pilot was not even close in towing ability...I get my FULL 270hp without VCM and our worst tank is 17.6 mpg (towing involved) and our best is 23.1 mpg (rated 17/23)...All with less than 3000 miles on the HL...
P.S. I will admit I liked the road feel of the Pilot better as the electric steering in the HL is lifeless - but it does make it easy for backing trailers, etc...and it obviously helps save fuel vs conventional hydraulic power steering...
The fuel savings from EPS vs. a properly engineered hydraulic power steering system amounts to about 1 MPG difference.
cat in the baby wrote: why does it look like a 2005 toyota 4runner now?
atleast they got the chevy silverado ltx wheels right.
We have a Chevy at our home with the 20" Rims that are smiilar to these according to you. MAYBE if you payed attention you would notice how much different they look. The only thing similar is the shape. That gives you the right to says they are the exact same? The Ridgeline doesn't looks like the ugly bland POS Toyota 4-Runner. This truck is outside the box and that is why i like it. Maybe next time you'll pay attention before saying things look alike, eh?
80honda wrote: I also agree. I like the tapered headlights, and the nice horizonal line along the top of the grill-headlights is much cleaner than the top of the Pilot.
I agree to. This is a much more tastful design. Good job Honda.
![[home]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/home.gif){kind=small}
![[rumors and news]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/rumors.gif){kind=small}
![[model release matrix]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/newmodelreleasematrix.gif){kind=small}
![[dealer network]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/dealernet.gif){kind=small}
![[desktop calendar]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/calendar.gif){kind=small}
![[exhaust notes]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/exhaust.gif){kind=small}
![[tov forums]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/forums.gif){kind=small}
![[links]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/links.gif){kind=small}
![[search]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/search.gif){kind=small}
![[sponsors]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/sponsors.gif){kind=small}
![[garage]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/garage.gif){kind=small}
![[login]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/login.gif){kind=small}
