- Honda face-lifts the Pilot crossover for 2012.
- The Honda Ridgeline Sport is a new addition to the range.
- The 2012 Pilot goes on sale in September, the 2012 Ridgeline in November.
TORRANCE, California — Honda, which on Monday released the first photo of the redesigned 2012 CR-V, has begun dropping a few more broad hints about the rest of the line, with photos of the face-lifted 2012 Pilot crossover and the new 2012 Ridgeline Sport.
The 2012 Pilot gets a fresh face and new comfort and convenience features, according to Honda. The "substantially updated" model features three-row seating and goes on sale in September.
With the Pilot providing accommodations for up to eight passengers, the redesigned CR-V will feature only two rows and will seat five, according to a Honda spokesperson, who told Inside Line that "CR-V buyers like the two-row configuration and don't seem to want a third row."
The 2012 Ridgeline, which goes on sale in November, adds a new Ridgeline Sport model, with black 18-inch alloy wheels, black honeycomb grille, foglamps, black headlamp and brake-light housings, and black mirrors and door handles.
The rest of the 2012 Ridgeline range gets "improvements (in) style and fuel efficiency," according to Honda.
Inside Line says: Sorry, the Ridgeline needs more than a few botox injections to make it palatable.
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rmartinez007 says:
12:59 PM, 11/04/2011
Well, at least they went back to a regular grille on the Pilot instead of the "Superman" grille like all of the Acuras now use.
The 3rd row on the CR-V was useless.
Ridgeline "truck"- no thanks.
rickmd says:
08:55 PM, 07/30/2011
Ridgeline Owner 2009 RT. Its the base model. Bought new 2 years ago. Am I happy with it overall - You bet I am. Currently have 17,000 on the clock. Had bad start tranny failed after 5,000 mls. Honda replaced under warranty. Not one reliability issue since. Do I like the dealers - No I do not Honda need to address why their dealers charge $200.00 to change the diff oil and try to justify it by saying they adjust the clutches in the rear differential. Never heard such BS in all my life. I walked away - eventual cost at my local shop $55.00 including Honda brand Diff oil.
Having said all this - The Ridgeline is effectively a Pilot with an extended wheelbase and body strengthening to compensate. Its my daily driver - Only vehicle I own except for my vintage Alfa Romeo race car. I bought it to tow my Alfa to the track and get all my tools, spares, EZUP, cooler and all the rest including a crew of 2-3 guys. Does it do the job well? Yes it does. Does it drive well - Yes it does. Does it tow well? Yes it does up to 5,000 pounds. Will it carry 4x8 dry wall from Home Depot. Yes it will. Does it perform offroad? yes it does. I have driven the Ridgeline and the Toyota Tundra mud plugging with both and in non extreme conditions the Ridgeline is easier to drive and feels more controlable than the Tundra.
Sorry if I sound like a Honda commercial. I have been disappointed by the everyday gas mileage but as an everyday daily driver with the people carrying capability of most mid size SUV's along with comparable handling to the Pilot in addition to the versatility of a pickup, how can you go wrong with a Ridgeline?
Having said all this it does look boring and slab sided. So here is my suggestion to Honda. I added Running Boards and front Nerf Bars along with a bed tonnea cover and it has transformed my ugly duckling. Hope they retain the great resale values.
thaitanium15 says:
04:32 PM, 07/27/2011
I'm sorry but this latest generation of the Pilot is terrible. My mom drives and '06 EX-L Nav (first gen, facelift) and looks like a newer car than the 2012. I don't understand why the 2012 has reflector headlamps when the 2006 has projectors...
tdiluv says:
04:12 PM, 07/27/2011
Is HONDA going to make a real truck when they design the second generation Ridgemobile or still keep it as an SUV with the roof peeled back ?
higcorners says:
02:11 PM, 07/27/2011
This is boring, ugly and nothing new. Koreans getting better with their designs and seem surpassing Japaneese automakers.
cz_75 says:
08:31 PM, 07/26/2011
Meh, BFD.
financeman2 says:
08:16 PM, 07/26/2011
Kind of like putting lipstick on a couple of pigs....UGLY. Honda needs to find some new designers.
tamaplaza99 says:
07:26 PM, 07/26/2011
have had Honda's in my family for 2 generations and thought the Pilot was a logical move up... the weak 5 speed & mpg was a deal breaker... could have gone with an accord or even acura but the ridiculous beak and center console are making me take my $s elsewhere.
desmolicious says:
12:28 PM, 07/26/2011
Is the Ridgeline the 'truck' that blows its shocks if driven on a rough road?
zeniff says:
11:07 AM, 07/26/2011
greenpony -- I'm with you on that one. The new CR-V looks better (at least now maybe a guy can drive it and maintain some semblance of masculinity) but without the 3rd row, it will remain off my list. I really do not like how the Pilot looks (the 1st gen was much more appealing), and the Ridgeline......I hear their owners love them, but I can't get over the looks. Maybe if the towing capacity was more like 7500lbs it'd be more appealing, but it's still an incredibly ugly "truck".