TheCarConnection.com (Enlarge photo)

The 2009 Honda Ridgeline gets a fancy grille reminiscent of Honda's 2009 Pilot, plus a raft of other upgrades and tweaks, the Japanese automaker says.

The "bolder" look outside will no doubt be controversial, as it's been on the big Honda crossover vehicle that emerged for the 2009 model year. Dare to say, the look works better on the already awkward Ridgeline : Honda says the restyling creates a "more chiseled" appearance. Inside, the Ridgeline gets new gauges and a new steering wheel, reworked controls for the climate control and audio system, and... // TheCarConnection.com

TORRANCE, California — Honda says it has added "50 significant changes and new features" to the 2009 Ridgeline, including "a bolder look and feel."

That's why they call it "public relations."

In fact, while Honda has revised the Ridgeline's grille, bumpers, headlamps and taillamps for '09, the net visual impact is virtually nil. But we appreciate the score card.

Inside, you'll find a new steering wheel and updated switches, gauges and displays, as well as a 115-volt power outlet on the Ridgeline TRL and an iPod jack on the RTS and RTL.

Under the hood, Honda has tweaked the truck's 3.5-liter SOHC V6, nudging output from 247 to 250 horsepower and torque from 245 to 247 pound-feet. Honda says its engineers broadened the torque curve and boosted power by... // Edmunds.com/Inside Line

Cars.com (Enlarge photo)

As full-size pickups take a hit from high gas prices, a vehicle like Honda’s Ridgeline should be perfectly placed as an alternative for truck buyers. That’s why Honda has given the Ridgeline some subtle updates for 2009, with minor design tweaks to the front end and interior. Most of the changes, however, won’t make or break a buying decision between an ‘08 and an ‘09. In fact, we’re not sure anyone will even notice there were changes made.

There’s a full photo gallery of the 2009 model below, including a few pics of the ‘08 for comparison purposes. The biggest change inside is to the... // Cars.com

MotorTrend Magazine (Enlarge photo)

The formula is simple: Every five to eight years, depending on the manufacturers, engineers get a chance to improve, redesign, and basically rebuild the previous vehicle. In between, those significant upgrade events can be a horrible waiting game for OEs where sales can slump if their buyers don't get something "new and improved." Enter the "Mid-Model Refresh" or mid-model upgrades, or minor midlife change, or whatever else you want to call it.

What we're usually talking about here is the point in the life of the vehicle where marketers get their chance to influence (albeit minor influence) what the vehicle will offer next. When times are tight -- like right now -- you can bet those changes will be conservative, in fact, bordering on miniscule. When budgets are fat, they can be more... // MotorTrend Magazine