Used 2017 Honda Ridgeline Consumer Reviews
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Great Ride
The unibody construction makes the ride and handling very smooth for a pickup truck. Not sure why some reviews focus on the audio system not having a knob to adjust the volume; I use the audio controls on the steering wheel to do this. The two way tailgate makes loading and unloading much easier than a conventional drop down tailgate. The Honda Sensing package includes lane departure warning, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control and warning of approaching traffic when backing out.
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Frozen gas flap.
The truck is great. Very happy with our purchase. We have own it for 6 months. We didn’t have any problems until we had a deep freeze. The temperature outside was 20 degree. We went to fill the truck up with gas. We open the gas door . We tried to put the gas nozzle thru the flap and the flap was frozen shut. We called the dealership. They told us to purchase Lock deicer. We were afraid to use it. We used a small screwdriver to break up the ice. We are hoping that this isn’t going to be a problem in the future. The dealership said they had many calls about the same problem. We also are worried that water might be getting in the tank then from the build up of ice.
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- RTS Crew CabMSRP: N/A2 mi away
- RTL-T Crew CabMSRP: $15,990In-stock online
- RTL-E Crew CabMSRP: $23,672In-stock online
I am still the luckiest truck owner in the world.
I bought a 2017 Ridgeline in June of 2016, when they first hit the dealerships. It is a light duty truck, but it is the perfect truck for the "I need a truck every now and then" owner. I have had no problems with the vehicle. I like driving the Ridgeline more than any vehicle we have owned. It is the most comfortable vehicle we have ever owned, no doubt. It handles like a big SUV, and is fun to drive. I really like the two-way tailgate for loading heavy stuff into the bed (i.e. sacks of ready-mix). And I really like the large water-tight compartment in the bed. Also, with the back seat up, the rear space is perfect for big dogs.
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Heater will not heat the floor.
I have tried to put the heat controls pointing to just the floor and due to the small openings there is not enough heat to keep the floor warm. Just took a trip to Chicago and had cold feet all the way. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and was told it works just like the other 2017 units and that was how it works. Definitely not impressed with the outcome of the dealer visit. My 2003 Jeep Wrangler has a better heater than this new 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTS
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Brakes defective
2017 and presumably 2018 Honda Ridgeline have poor brake rotors. Over heat and warp quickly. Entire vehicle shakes.
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Roomy and Smooth, but experieced a few glitches
The interior crew cab is the most roomy and comfortable of all the competition. And the ride and power are awesome. But not without its problems. The truck was delivered with one of the engine mount sensors disconnected which gave it a rough ride. After this was addressed the dash instrument module plastic window began to rattle and vibrate at various speeds. Also when driven on the highway around 70-75 in ECON mode coupled with cruise control, the engine vibrates and causes the dash to rattle. I returned the car to the dealer to fix (they were unable to fix) and the loaner civic they gave me was very cheap and plastic and also rattled so I think the quality at Honda has become hit and miss. This truck is truly amazing at its best, and around town I don't experience any of these issues. But on the highway, the dash rattle and vibration is not acceptable, and I don't intend to buy another Honda. Update: The truck got BETTER with age. All the issues were addressed by the dealer. Love it
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Don't believe all the great reviews
I had really high hopes for this new Ridgeline, but after driving this vehicle for the last 8+ months I can say that it's a real disappointment especially compared to the previous generation. I had a 2008 Ridgeline that I really liked, but the new one is nothing like the previous generation. The new Ridgeline just doesn't have that nice solid feel that the previous generation did. The biggest issue with the new Ridgeline is stability. The steering is over-powered and light feeling as well as being overly sensitive to the road surface. This leads to a lot of road vibration in the steering wheel. Some reviewers have stated that there isn't much feedback from the road. Since driving this vehicle for 8+ months, I can say that it's not that you don't get much feedback. It's that you get the wrong feedback, and too much of it. Small insignificant road imperfections (small bumps, small cracks, etc) cause feedback into the steering wheel where you would expect to not even notice. I will concede that some of the steering issues that I've stated could be due to the lousy Firestone tires that come on the truck. The suspension is just on the edge of being bouncy, so when driving it feels a bit like floating around on the highway. This leads to the truck being very sensitive to even light breezes making driving on windy days very difficult. Other poor design issues: When coming to a complete stop, the truck rocks back and forth about 10-12 times before becoming motionless (which is weird as I've never experienced this on any other vehicle), the heated seat switches look and feel like they came out of a vehicle from about 20 years ago, many of the safety features are intrusive (such as the Collision Mitigation Braking System...if it worked better it would be ok), the entertainment system is a bit clunky (it's running a VERY old version of Android), the rear hvac controls are located with the main hvac controls (this doesn't even make sense especially in the RTL-E which is the trim level that I have). The biggest build quality issue that I've noticed is that both front doors are not mounted straight (it's not noticeable on mine unless you look closely, but once I noticed it I see it every time I get in the truck); however, there were a couple of others that have been corrected by the dealer (including something that was broken). On the positive side, the truck has a comfortable ride, the seats are comfortable, the technology is much better than previous gen, the look is much more truck-like, the brakes are pretty good, the engine is pretty good (although it could use a bit more low-end power), the transmission is pretty good, better fuel mileage than the previous Ridgeline.
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Great Sport Utility Midsize Truck
I have had my RTL-T for 5 years now and love it! My main disappointments are the technology and interior storage compartments. Cup holders need to be like the Odyssey with flapped inserts so you can put a standard plastic water bottle in them and not have it jump out on turns and speed bumps. they are to large and have no flaps to support the smaller cups and water bottles, the door cavities are very small and shallow, water bottles will not fit in any of the door cavities/pockets and there is no holder for them in the door. there is a shallow square french fry container holder which is not good for much. The Ridgeline could have done better in using the wasted space in the 12 inch thick door its sister the Odyssey does. The 8 inch touch screen is nice but it is kluge to use the volume controls are hard to fumble with and the tuning is hard on the radio. The Garmin Nav system had 2015 maps on it and the Android OS that runs the head unit behind the 8 inch screen was from 2010 android 4.2.2 and is incompatible with google play try to use it and you get no longer supported version. So the bottom line is i really like the ride, comfort, power, MPG, utility and looks the technology leaves a lot to be desired. I now have 50K+ miles and just finished a 1200 mile trip to Florida for a spring break. Going down on a cool (50 deg) day with some open road on I-75 most of the way got 28.8 MPG running at the speed limit most of the time. So bottom line my first impressions are still valid. Have not looked at the new models but the best hope is Honda improved the electronics. For the money when I purchased it in February 2017 you can beat it for a mid size truck for a suburban home owner. If you are looking for a big honking hulk this is not it. It is easy to park has sufficient power to haul a small bass boat. September 28, 2023 update.. 65K+ still impressed with Ridgeline although had to have tech bulletin work on torque converter not locking up properly and causing a lope Honda calls it judder. This consisted of software update and flush transmission fluid and refill. Also safety recall for review camera cable replacement because of breaking because of routing in the tailgate. Still pleased with the midsize truck ride and economy.
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Tonneau cover water leaks
The 2017 Ridgeline has a design that allows rain water to enter the truck bed, even when covered by a Tonneau. Its because its unibody. Owners need to be aware of this before they buy ANY Tonneau cover. Look at the TOP ABS rail of the truck bed where it contacts the cab window. You will see a rectangular opening in both corners, where the right side and the left side contact the truck cab. Gently pour a bottle of water in this hole. The majority of the water drains out the bottom of the truck and hits the ground. However a portion of the water drains into the truck bed. So, ANY Tonneau cover will let rain water in. It will probably leak with a cab-height shell also. And actually, all the rain water that hits the roof of the truck and drains down the rear window is liable to go into the bed through this hole too. There is no seal by design. A topper supplier told me that as of March 2017, Tonneau cover maker ARE is aware of this and trying to engineer a fix. Just FYI.
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You will never know your driving a truck
This truck is very quiet and smooth, the corning and ride are so controlled that you will have to constantly remind yourself that you are driving an AWD truck and not a fancy European sports sedan. I had to drive 200 miles to a dealer out of my area to get the base model RT with AWD. My trip home was a mix of four lane Highway, small towns with a lot of stops, school buses and school zones yet I still managed just under 28 MPG. I hooked my trailer loaded with my Argo 8x8 just to see how the Ridge Line would respond pulling 2000 pounds. Hooking the trailer was very easy because of the excellent back up camera. Once underway the engine worked a little harder than I expected but the truck handled the load without any drama. I fully expect to get over 20 MPG pulling my trailer loaded with an Argo 8x8 and lots of equipment, that kind of fuel mileage is impressive for any truck. The truck impresses in little ways. While I was driving home several large bugs hit my windshield. Instead of splattering as I expected they passed over my truck. When I got home I noted the very steep rake of the windshield, it may not seem like much but it kept the window clean and adds to the RT's ability to ease down the highway on windy days. The seats felt a little firm at first but after I settled in they were quite comfortable. I was really disappointed that my standard RT didn't come equipped with an XM radio but the standard AM/FM has excellent sound quality and picked up distant stations without an issue. This truck is very easy to get in and out of and is super quiet on the highway with a ride quality that will remind you of an expensive luxury sedan. The engine is a little louder then I would like under hard acceleration but I can live with it. This truck is handsome. Maybe not the best looking truck ever built but better looking then the competition. The tail gate opens two ways and there is a ton of water proof storage under the rear of the bed that is easy to reach for loading and unloading and this storage area can double as an ice chest with a drain plug in the bottom. I am impressed by the composite bed which is strong, durable and resistant to dings and scratches. I wouldn't take this truck four wheeling but I am sure that if you use the AWD system within it's limitations it will serve you very well. If you want something that will serve your needs as a truck, keep you moving with AWD in winter driving conditions and drive and handle like a luxury car I don't see how you can do better then the Honda Ridge Line. Alright, just a few updates. The truck is averaging about 20.9 MPG in mixed driving conditions. It's not doing as well as I thought it would pulling a trailer with an average of somewhere between 15 and 16 mpg. I miss not having an XM radio and a dealer installed XM with a backup camera is over two thousand dollars. I still think the engine is a little to loud under acceleration but really that's about my only complaint. I have had the chance to use the AWD on three different occasions and was very impressed. The ability to drop into low gear and puck the AWD mode is a very nice feature and worked well for me when I had to drag a fallen tree across my front yard. I have also had to use the AWD mode pulling a loaded trailer up a step sandy hill that would have stuck a lot of other 4 wheel drive trucks, with the Honda it was no problem. I haven't driven this truck in snow yet but I am sure it's excellent traction and low center of gravity would work very well in winter conditions. More updates: The truck is not doing as well as I though pulling a trailer. I recently pulled a Trailer carrying my Mudd Ox to the mud nationals (approx 2200 pounds). The Honda delivered 13.3 MPG and labored pulling the trailer up the hills of Alabama and Mississippi dropping all the way to fourth gear at highway speeds on a few occasions. I am still not happy about road and engine noise under acceleration. This is a very nice AWD truck for a lot of conditions but don't expect it to preform well off road, there is simply not enough ground clearance and you your not going to go anywhere without tearing something up. If you need to pull a boat or an ATV for anything other than short hauls I suggest you look at a full sized pick truck. If your goal is to have a very nice truck to use in snow and winter weather or to occasionally use as a truck this will be the vehicle for you. This truck still makes for a very nice day to day driver that is easy to get into and out of. The ride quality and utility in day to day use is exceptional.
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Still going strong..
Its been almost three years since I purchased this Ridgeline new and so far I can't really complain. I don't remember if I mentioned this in my last update but I had to have the windshield replaced as the result of stone (or some other road debris) striking it. My Ridgeline has the lane keep assist and uses cameras mounted up behind the rear view mirror with a shroud glued or somehow mounted to the windshield. When the windshield is removed the cameras have to be re-calibrated. I checked with several windshield replacement companies (including the bug one advertising on TV all the time) and the cost was extremely expensive. It turned out the local Honda dealer was the lowest cost by over $400 and they use genuine Honda parts. Go figure! The cost of the calibration is actually more than the windshield replacement by itself. As you can see we don't drive a lot of miles per year, around 4K which well below the national average. Nonetheless, this vehicle has served us well. Very good gas mileage, excellent ride, handling and low road noise. The front seats are very comfortable although I don't think I would want to ride any long distance/time in the backseat. I have on a couple of occasions missed my 2013 F150's longer bed but I can still fit a sheet of plywood in the Ridgeline. It just hangs out over the tailgate about 2 feet. I still would recommend the Ridgeline over the other "compact" pickups. It rides and handles better, and the legendary Honda engine is gold standard for durability and reliability.
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Great truck - favorite vehicle i've owned so far
I love the truck. The touch screen is a little finicky sometimes, but it's the most comfortable vehicle I've owned, to date, in regards to how it hugs the road, and how it envelopes my body. Every day, I find myself looking for excuses to drive someplace. Update: after a year of driving, I've settled into it nicely. It still drives as well as it was when brand-new, and even in heavy rain, I never feel like I'm out of control. The truck hugs the road even when it's wet. I still love this truck as much as I did when I bought it. I'm not looking for excuses to drive it as much anymore, but that's just due to familiarity, I think.
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2nd Ridgeline, 11th Honda (own 5 currently)
Obviously, a Honda fan ('19 Odyssey, '17 Ridgeline, '06 CRV, '02 Shadow ACE, '10 Fury) This truck is perfect for the daily driver who needs the capabilities of a truck without owning a truck. My daily commute is only 3.5 miles, but on the weekend I have hauled 3/4 of a ton of minus rock, a few loads of dirt, several loads of retaining wall blocks, and countless plants. We also haul a camper trailer with a dry weight of 3,200. I like it way better than my 2006 RTL - reason being that they put all of the controls where they are supposed to be on a Honda. Worth the wait, I look forward to driving this truck until the wheels fall off. Only bad experience was the dealer - they will never see a plug nickel from me again, I won't let them touch any of my vehicles. Aug 2018 update. 21,000 miles later. Still loving it. We have used it more than we ever thought in regard to pull our camper around the state of Missouri. Feb 2020 update. 40150 miles. Still loving the truck. Have used it to pull moving trailers, travel trailers and multiple loads of top soil and mulch this past year. Performs flawlessly. No problems to speak of. Maintenance is a bit in the high side compared to previous Honda, but if that means that this truck will serve me well for a 100k miles, then so be it. The only complaint would be the legalize that loads on the infotainment screen every single time. Can we make that go away, please?
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Next to my Lexus, the best vehicle I've owned
My new Ridgeline RTL-E is everything I hoped for and expected it to be. Very comfortable, smooth quiet ride (almost as good as my Lexus RX-350). Great safety features such as Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Parking Sensors, etc. Excellent sound system (the RTL-E features the upgraded sound system and 8" touch-screen infotainment system). Navigation system is easy to use. I especially like the voice activated commands for the Navigation and other systems. Storage under the rear seats is really nice as well as the in-bed trunk. The dual action tailgate (opens down as a traditional tailgate and swings open like a door) is very handy. As other owners have noted I wish the tailgate locked, especially since I plan to get the Honda tonneau cover. Overall this is one excellent vehicle!
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Urban Driver Update
Bought in March 2017. I previously owned a 2010 F150 and had to downsize because of moving to the city. I thought I would be regretting, but I was wrong. Got highway mileage of 28 mpg and the best on the F150 was 20 mpg. Rides very quiet with a soft car ride. I decided to add 4 pounds of air and feels more like a truck for me. I wish Honda would have options to add to these vehicles. I wanted moon roof and rear sliding window and had to go to upper model. I don't use the OEM navigation, but the Android Auto. That is fantastic with my Samsung smartphone. Adaptive cruise is great except when driver in front is slower and causes a rapid deceleration of your car. The truck is slow to get back to speed when passing. I have to manually accelerate to get to speed. Rain causes sensors to give false alarms and lane departure or lane mitigation sensors do not work while driving on the highway in the rain. This seams to be a problem with these sensors since I experienced the same thing with my 2010 F150. Read the manual, Honda is aware of this weather related problem. Materials are great except that they use thinner outside metal that gets easily dented. Overall I am very happy with my buy. Get many compliments. Update: Overall I am still very happy with my truck. There have been some annoyances. I did not like the sound of the horn of my truck, so I replaced it with an aftermarket. The infotainment system is slow to load and the sometimes I have to try the android auto a few times to load and work properly. It also forces my eyes off the road to make any adjustments on the screen. The controls on the steering wheel do help to minimize eyes off the road. The heated seats buttons do not automatically turn off when truck is turned off and back on. Also act more as a toggle switch. For the price of this truck, I would expect better. The tires are great after 28000 miles. They look good enough to go another 20000.
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My new 2017 Ridgeline
I really enjoy this vehicle but I do have a few however. I wanted a small pickup to commute and do occasional work. I narrowed my choices down to the Ridgeline, Tacoma and the Colorado. I picked the Ridgeline on comfort and I was able to get a little better deal through COSTCO. I love driving it. Along the way I have found a few things that I am not excited about. My battery went dead and I went to jump start it according to the owners manual. Honda for whatever reason has not made this easy. You have to remove a shield before attaching cables. A huge hassle. Secondly the instrument council controls are not automatically lit. I had to make a drive late a night and wanted to turn off the A/c. Had to turn on cabin lights o see controls. A back light would have been nice. Finally, in todays world I would think a small truck could get 20 MPH average for all driving. My Ridgeline gets 18.5. Disappointing. I would by this vehicle again, I really enjoy it and the dealer I have bought it from has been great. At the end of the day, nothing is perfect. Honda can easily address my "CONS".
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Best rider and driver truck hands down
Purchased this truck for my husband. He loves the way it handles and I love the smooth ride. Living in Louisiana and driving on the famous I-10 roller coaster was always a jarring experience. With the Ridgeline you barely feel the bumpy road. There is plenty of room in the rear and for the driver, but I do think the front passenger could use a little more knee room. The swing out rear gate come in handy for easy access to the truck bed. The hidden storage in the bed is great. Overall it is a goid vehicle for our needs and is easier to maneuver and park then the bigger full size trucks. So far so good.
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Would buy again
Not sure why this truck doesn't sell in much higher numbers. I have had Ford trucks in the past, and this is a much better truck for probably 80-90% of truck buyers. It's like driving a car. It has much better storage than other trucks. Gets excellent gas mileage. My only complaint is the back doors do not open wide enough considering the enormous amount of space with the back seats folded up. Why doesn't it sell better? Probably Hondas fault. They do not promote this vehicle. I often wonder why they bothered to put the r&d money into a vehicle they do not promote.
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No Heat
the 2017 Ridgeline interior heat is poor. When you stop the interior heat drops off. Honda stated that this is a design of the vehicle and has no fix. Honda has admitted in court all v6 engines are designed this way.Do not purchase for use in cold climate area's.
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ridgeline,you should be mine
very comfortable and quiet, didn't care for the $1500 'blacked out' edition,but sunroof is only available on top two trim levels-and anything else is difficult to find(honda's fault?) nice ride,lotsa storage-nice compromise if you need a truck that acts like a car.
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RIDGELINE - - TOPLINE
Handling and ride are the best of any pickup I've driven. Seat comfort is very good. The electronic dash and radio controls are ok; I'd prefer knobs and buttons. Heating and AC are very good, and heated steering wheel is great in winter. Torque vectoring is super for both road holding and snow. . Don't like smaller door opening for rear doors, limited transmission gear selection [drive or low]. Rear seating and storage are good, as is trunk in the bed. Visibility forward is good, but rearward you have depend on the camera. I often get 28 to 30 on the highway, incredible for a 6 cylinder pickup. Side swinging tailgate is a big plus, but why can't they dampen the lowering too? I rarely haul or tow huge loads, so it makes no sense to buy and drive a humongous size pickup year round; on the rare occasions I need that, I can rent. Overall, a terrific pickup.
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WINNER CROSSOVER CLASS INAUGURAL REBELLE RALLY
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline was our chosen competitor vehicle for the Inaugural Rebelle Rally this past October and we took 1st Place in rossover class. We were entered in the crossover class because of the Ridgeline's unibody construction and its All Wheel Drive. This did not limit us at all! We had a blast driving this truck from Lake Tahoe, Nevada down 2000 km offroad to the sand dunes of Glamis, CA. The entire time this truck was a champ. Ours is called Goldie and she handled like a dream. We were on all types of terrain from flat packed dirt roads, double tracks, open desert including lumps of vegetation to maneuver around, rocky inclines and mountain ridges! We drove in washes and gullies, dry lake beds and OHV trails. We saw parts of the country unseen by many and our Ridgeline capably got us there! We were impressed, but not at all surprised! Everyone who had a chance to drive Goldie during our training, fell in love with her abilities! Not only did we outscore our closest opponent by 140 pts, we finished 4th overall (36 teams) and we finished second, by two points, behind the winner of the bone stock award which was given to the stock vehicle with the most earned points. We loved this truck so much, we are taking her back for round two, this coming October! We had to haul spare parts, camping gear, 2 pair of MAXTRAX, a spare offroad tire, safety equipment, air compressor, luggage, snacks, tools, maps and navigating equipment, a driver and a navigator and there was plenty of room for everything we needed just by putting it in the cargo area with the rear seats lifted up, and also within that beautiful in bed trunk!! Some serious separation anxiety happened when we returned back to our real lives, but while we were a rally driver and a rally navigator, and Goldie was our third teammate...we loved every minute of being a team! If you want further information on the Rebelle Rally, please visit rebellerally.com. I hope to inspire other Ridgeline owners to take your trucks off-road, off the beaten path and most especially just out of the driveway to explore and adventure together! See you in the dirt!!!
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2017 Ridgeline All Mine
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline is just was I was looking for. One look and I was smitten. A versatile vehicle that is comfortable to drive every day. The Honda Ridgeline combines the best aspects of a terrific SUV with a modern tech savy truck. The technical aspects of the Honda Ridgeline are beyond my expectations. Drives like a dream and will haul anything I will need. Coupled with Honda's industry leading reliability and customer satisfaction I couldn't be more pleased.
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comfortable, roomy, but god, that whine!!!
I have the Firestone tires that appear to be the cause of a subtle high pitched whine. I love the truck and I'm enjoying the ride but beware of the road noise.
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Ridgeline is an outstanding vehicle
I am very pleased with my new Ridgeline. The truck has an amazing ride that is both smooth and quiet. I was looking for a truck that could haul bulky items when I needed it, but also would provide the comforts of a car. It's a pleasure to drive the truck every day and be in a very comfortable ride. It has great performance for a truck too. The other day while I was on the off ramp, a german car owner thought he would show me the dust by accelerating past me....lol....did he get a surprise when I put my foot into it and left him in my rear view wondering how that just happened.
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It Can't Tow the Capacity for Which it is Rated
I bought a 2017 Honda Ridgeline to tow a 1800 pound trailer. The Ridgeline is rated at a towing capacity of 3500 pounds. I drove it to Florida (about a 1000 miles) and the transmission fluid overheated. Honda corporation told me I should have done my research to know I can't drive long distances. There's no place in the Honda information that indicates it can't handle that distance. Don't ever by a Honda Ridgeline if you want to tow something. Now I'm stuck with a vehicle that doesn't meet my needs.
OK Low Cost Midsize SUV with Bed
I owned a 2008 G1 Ridgeline AWD for nearly 8 years. I loved it and drove the wheels off. I traded it in for a 'sports coupe' eventually and drove it for a year before realizing I really did need a truck for light duty (furniture hauling, mulch, etc...). My 2 biggest 'wants' were to have leather seats and navigation. After looking at Ford and Toyota, it became obvious that I would need to be in the $50K club to get those options - so the Ridgeline looked like the obvious choice for $32K. I purchased the RTL-T with FWD and was fairly happy at first. I actually learned to like the GPS/Nav system (powered by Garmin) - even though there were no knobs/buttons. The interior seemed nice and it handled very well on the highway. After 18 months, I traded it in. Here's my list of pros/cons: Pros: - Strong 3.5L V6. Plenty of torque - almost too much at times. - Navigation system w/real time traffic & routing worked well - Great gas mileage (24-25 mpg) even in the city - in-bed trunk is super-useful - FWD performed well climbing hills / good traction Cons: - 6 speed transmission seemed to always be in the wrong gear (dangerous when turning into traffic) - Plastic bed quickly bleached out and was covered in various stains which could not be removed - Body panels dented / wrinkled easily. Very thin metal - you could see the hood flexing while on the highway. - FWD had a serious problem with oversteer. I never felt nimble on sharp curves. - Cheap materials inside and out. This vehicle was not designed to last like my G1. Honda seems to have gone the way of General Motors and now produces automobiles designed to last 36,000 miles. I think the engine is great, but the rest of the vehicle is not going to last nearly as long. If you are certain you want to purchase one of these, the best advice I can give is to get an AWD model. This engine is too powerful for a FWD, lightweight vehicle.
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No Honda Safety Assurance-2017 Honda Ridgeline
Since purchasing our 2017 Honda Ridgeline, we have been experiencing intermittent noxious fuel/fumes/exhaust odors in the cabin as well as significant fuel outgassing in our garage. The Ridgeline has been to Frontier Honda Service on four occasions for attempted repair; however, the service technicians, although able to smell it, cannot identify the root of the problem or establish its cause. For safety reasons, we will not put our family in the truck as we cannot be assured that carbon monoxide and other noxious gases are not filling the cabin. We are also afraid to park the vehicle in our garage because of fuel outgassing and the possibility of an explosion. The truck has been extensively disassembled by a number of technicians and has had various systems inspected and flushed to no avail. Both our local dealership and American Honda ‘cannot guarantee the safety’ of our new Honda Ridgeline. We have appreciated all of the efforts and open communication with our local Service Manager; however, at his direction, we opened a case with American Honda on 04/14/18. Our District Case Manager, James, finally called and left a message on 04/23/18. I called him 3 times again and finally heard back on 04/26/18. He told us that he was not willing to provide any sort of safety guarantee and that because technicians could not recreate the smell (which is not true because it’s even stated on our repair invoices that they smelled it), that Honda was not able to fix it. He also denied us the use of a rental car in the meantime. He called again today and stated that a regional technician would be available to inspect it on 05/18/18. So we are supposed to leave our brand new Ridgeline sitting in the driveway for a month because we have no assurance that it is safe! This is our first experience with Honda. We are understandably frustrated and very disappointed to be in this situation - which has been incredibly worrying, time-consuming and stressful. Has anybody else been experiencing these noxious gases and outgassing on the new model Honda Ridgeline? Has anybody received this type of response from Honda? For a company that prides itself on safety, this is highly concerning and disturbing.
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2014 528 XI replaced with Ridgeline
This RTL-E is amazing, replaced my BMW 528 XI with this truck. So much more comfortable and user friendly. Apple Car Play makes up for the cartoonish Navi, if you can afford the extra $2K step up to the RTL-E you won't be disappointed. In bed sound system seemed like a gimmick but sounds great. 10K miles in still love the truck.
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Ridgelinen Special
This is my third Ridgeline. 1st 235,000 miles normal service no major repairs, 2nd 171,154 miles normal service no major repairs still use this truck in my work,the 3rd one is my Wife’s. She loves this truck, handling, comfort, fuel mileage, looks, TRUNK, an safety features. Just came back from a 1375 mile trip. Drove About 2 MPH below the speed limit which ranged from 55-80 mostly 65-75. Actual MPG was 24.2. My 2006 & 2012 were & are good & reliable trucks. This new 2017 Ridgeline is better in every way. Can’t say enough good things about the things that count about this new Ridgeline. We have over 52,000 miles on our Ridgeline. One service call replace a back motor mount. Honda took care of this. The only complaint with this model. The back doors do not open wide enough.
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Some Surprises
I've owned several Honda's, including a Gen 1 Ridgeline, this vehicle has been no surprise. The engine is smooth and responsive. Fuel economy is good. The exterior paint is excellent. The interior design, and quality of materials is very nice. Seats 4 adults comfortably, 5 in a pinch. Quiet, smooth, ride. Lots of tech to keep me amused. Lots of storage and versatile. 30k update- My favorite feature, by far, is the AWD. I've driven in heavy rains, ice, and muddy/sandy conditions. The AWD is amazing. I've enjoyed a sense of security like no other. It's also fun to drive around other "more capable" 4wd trucks while they are spinning their wheels. I've been less impressed with the quality of the paint. Although it holds it's lustre, it has dozens of scratches and chips. My original RL had a more solid paint job. The paint on my 15 Tundra was the worst. The 17 RL is much better than the Tundra. The back doors do not open far enough. Many owners are resolving this themselves by replacing the hinges. Overall, I've enjoyed this truck. Reliable, zippy, great utility.
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Worth the wait and fun to drive
Although this vehicle hasn't been in production for two years and most people say do not buy the first year of a redesigned vehicle, you can't go wrong with the 2017 Ridgeline if you are looking for a medium duty pickup for occasional hauling, camping or your tailgating at your favorite teams game. The water tight storage trunk in the bed is great for trips when you need that extra storage or when you need to load up on your favorite beverage for the tailgate to keep cold. Easy access and the bed lighting form both sides when you open the trunk, truly make this a needed accessory on more vehicles. The ride is smooth, the engine powerful and the remote start means you don't enter a cold vehicle in the winter or a hot one in the summer and that is important in West Texas. The vehicle comes prewired for towing and even has a connection for trailer brakes, meaning you don't have to do extra wiring yourself or have to take it back to the dealer to have the wiring upgraded. Mileage is good whether on the highway or making errands around town. May be the best vehicle purchase I have made in the last 20 years.
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4 years & still in love!!
Our Ridgeline continues to impress. It remains as comfortable as new. The truck is very dependable. We have not had it in the shop for anything except the regular service maintenance. The gas mileage has remained exceptionally good. Absolutely awesome truck. We would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a stylish full size truck yet the ride comparable to the SUV.
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Pick up done right
The Honda Ridgeline rtl-e will most likely revolutionize the way that America thinks about pickups after OneDrive you'll realize that why should you put up with Radley teeth just to be able to say that you have a pick-up. From the storage in the trunk to the Kevlar bed to the speaker actuators in the trunk the Ridgeline offers so much more than the other conventional body-on-frame style that I don't know why anybody would choose it unless they have an extreme towing capability requirement. Ridgeline smooth gets great fuel economy it knows how to handle any type of weather but it's Advanced all-wheel drive system that is engaged at all times. Storage is abundant it feels like I'm in my pilot rather than in a pickup and when I do look to the rear I see such Innovation with the gate that folds down and opens up like a car he gives me so much more access to the bed for those needed things that you might find during a camping trip or during the construction project. The Ridgeline truly is the thinking man's pick up thank you Honda I almost went out and bought a Toyota not that it's a bad truck it's just like buying an old style vehicle when there's something much better out there.
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A very nice truck for someone who tows under 5000
very very comfortable vehicle. my buddies comment its like being in a Lexus. love the under bed storage for golf clubs etc... spent a lot of time on logging roads up North hunting and the ride and maneuvering very very good. great climate control and audio. leather seats are very nice on long trips. gas mileage great for a truck. headroom is great and i am 6'1". i think this is an ideal sportsman's vehicle - hunting, fishing, surfing, biking etc... My feelings have not changed over my years of ownership
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2017 Ridgeline 2 Week Owner
The new design and reviews were the main selling points between the Ridgeline and other mid-sized trucks. We were not interested in the infotainment technology of the RTL-T/E's, and the RTL had just the right options for us. I love the smooth non-truck like ride and the quietness overall from exterior noise and road noise. I have not been a fan of the Honda fairly firm seats, but find it quite comfortable mainly because of the terrific suspension offering a very smooth ride. I keep the Econ engaged 99% of the time, only turning it off when real power needed. Results are great with nearly 23-24 mixed city/highway driving. The extra storage trunk in the bed is a huge plus, not to mention the dual opening tailgate. So many great attributes about this 2017 Honda Ridgeline...far too many to mention. I would highly recommend this truck to anyone not really needing a beefy 4wd truck. After researching various buying programs (Edmunds, TruCar, USAA, etc), we found the very best, untouchable price through Costco. Another dealer, who had the exterior/interior color combo we desired available within a couple weeks, matched the one dealer Costco dealt with in the Denver area. I couldn't be happier with the first truck I have ever owned over the past 40 years. Update: Now 1 1/2 years later I still feel the exact same sentiments as above. Towing an A-frame camper (~2500 lbs) is easy through the Colorado mountains. I would still highly recommend this truck for those for the reasons above.
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When it goes bad... it bad... Its no Accord
Up to 100,000 normal issues and maintenance, little things here and there but always got regular maintenance and kept up with the car because I thought it would be like that Honda Accord, which my wife has own two and got over 200,000 miles out of her 1st one. I hit 100,000 miles (where the powertrain warrant ends) and get the TRANSMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM light. Now to be fair I have seen on the internet people have had the exact same problem at lower and high mileage counts but as mine creeped over 100,000 miles, now when I am getting to my last few monthly payments its "F" you, that's your problem now. Its no Accord... I am now faced with 5000 for a rebuilt Transmission after maintaining it regularly. https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/threads/transmission-system-problem-light.234105/
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Dream Truck
This truck is very comfortable to drive/ride in. Plenty of front seat room and adequate rear seat room for passengers. With the rear seats folded up there is plenty of room for dogs or hauling groceries. The handy lockable trunk in the truck bed is very nice for things that you don't want to load in the cab. Drives very smooth. This truck may not be the truck for people that want a true truck. This is more like a luxury SUV with a truck bed. Still have not tested the AWD features.
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Wonderful Truck, but a few quirks
Hey, its a great casual truck for all the reasons given in other reviews.......great ride, handling, looks, utility, etc. I'd buy another in a heartbeat. But as an ex automotive engineer, there are some quirks that it is best potential owners know about: 1) oil filter is somewhat difficult to reach' 2) Battery is hard to access, especially when jump-starting; 3) Actual MPG is 1-2 less than indicated; 4) Feature to auto unlock all 4 doors will not program on my truck; 5) Radio menu structure is a mess (has the low end system); 6) Trip Data menu and display items could be better. I realize items 3, 4, 5, and 6 are very minor, but this used to be my job at another company, so I know when it is or isn't done right. 3 year update:. No change to original review. Truck is great. Mileage actually improved 2 mpg since purchase. No rattles. Sometimes I wish the bed were larger, but overall this is an A+ light duty truck! 6 year update: Again, the original review stands 'as is'. A note that although mileage did improve, as mentioned, the indicated mileage is still 1-2 mpg high. I maintain the truck per the manual (filters, plugs, oil changes, etc) and, at 100,000 miles, it has given me surprisingly little trouble. I guess at this point my main message is that I WOULD buy another Ridgeline. 8+ Year Update: At 125,000 miles, it's beginning to 'miss' again. It happened at around 75,000 miles as well. All this means is that I need new plugs....they are so hard to reach in the back bank that you pretty much have to take it to the dealer who has special tools. I'll get the transmission oil changed and coolant flushed again as well. The rest of the maintenance I do myself. It's a good truck. If you are looking for a used one, I would recommend it.
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2018 Honda Ridgeline
I owned a 2017 Ridgeline which was in a total loss accident in December. Four people were in the truck. No one was seriously injured. I believe the five star safety rating is correct.
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Great mid-sized truck
Drives like a great car, but is still a truck.
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RTL - Good Mid-Size Truck
Leg room if you are over 6 foot tall is a little cramped for the driver. My right leg is constantly resting against the center console when in my normal driving posture. I feel the gas and break pedals and the overall floor space of the drivers side could use another 6 inches or so forward. In my opinion the center console, while useful with ample storage and space to place things, leaves the comfort level a little to be desired. I've owned the larger Ford F-150 and a RAM in the past along with smaller Tacoma, Frontier and Ranger. True, the larger trucks have better power and towing and the smaller vehicles have the better gas mileage, but this truck manages to land perfectly in between the two sizes. Even with my little issue with the center console I feel this is a perfect mid-sized truck. The size reminds me of the old T100 from Toyota in which I missed out on. I thought that was a perfect sized truck as well. Power of the V6 in my Ridgeline RTL AWD is good and is perfect for my driving needs. Mostly daily commuting 40 miles round trip to work. Then, lite payloads and towing for weekend projects. This truck drives like a car and has decent visibility and good road mannerisms. Overall the truck is solid. Honda name tag is solid and reliable with typical great resale values. Not that I plan on selling it. The finishes and layout for the user are solid. The technology is good and is easy to understand and use. Averaging 23.3 mpg after 2000 miles. The rear seats are comfortable and leg room is good, not great for adults. The folding rear seats are easy to engage/disengage even for smaller folks like children and with folded seats the truck offers additional flat floor space for payloads that require more security. The hidden well below the bed is a neat little feature. I'm using it more than I thought I would. The other small issue I have is that the tail gate does not lock. Again, overall, this is a great mid-sized truck. You will not pull the house off its foundation with its 5000 tow rating, but you will be able to handle the majority of your weekend projects around the house and do so in style and comfort.
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WHY!!!
WHY??? Why, Honda, did you not give us a locking tailgate? I installed an after market tailgate lock from Pop and Lock, which works great, and a bed cover...i'm very happy!
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Comfort will be an issue
Dead pedal prevents me from extending my left leg whilst driving and there is no room between the dead pedal and the brake to extend my left leg. (Emergency brake is too obtrusive as well.) Arm rests for driver are too small and wimpy...I would have preferred a large ratcheting cushion over the center bin. Rear seat room is very limited when I have the driver's seat set to my liking. No memory features for seats AND mirrors. Center console information system is too unwieldy. EXCELLENT cabin isolation! Why oh why did the Honda marketing/sales geniuses decide that Canada should get the vented front seats and the USA only gets the heated ones???? Common Honda, enlighten the masses on that great call!
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Handling
Great handling and ride, well thought out interior.
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Much better than expected!
Handling and ride quality are outstanding. Three separate climate controls keep everyone comfortable. Has all of the features I needed plus some delighters that I did not expect at this price point. Advanced AWD has completion beat hands down. Huge lockable trunk keeps valuables safe, dry and out of sight. In mixed driving I am averaging 25 MPG which is far better than I expected. The only negative is rear visibility, but there is a high resolution backup camera with 3 different view modes which addresses that shortcoming. I ruled out Tacoma due to dated technology and poor reliability according to Consumer Reports. Frontier is outdated as well. Ridgeline has ample width between wheel wells, make hauling full sheets of plywood flat or other large items easy. Dual swinging tailgate makes loading bed easy on my back.
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Former Dakota Owner Loves the '17 Ridgeline
I drove a Dodge Dakota for 170,000 miles and was in love with it. But when I sat in the 2017 Ridgeline, there was no comparison. The comfort, convenience, and features were worlds apart. Granted, the Ridgeline is 20 model-years newer, but Honda got it all right. It is spacious and drives like an SUV, with great acceleration and an ample back seat, which folds up to get out of your way when necessary. The bed is a little short, but is packed with conveniences including the bi-directional gate, lighting, and large cargo well. I should have gone up one trim level for upgraded electronics, but all in all I love it and expect to drive if for the next 20 years. ***Update- My college-aged son came home from school and it is his preferred ride. He also fits comfortably in the back seat.
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One month after purchase
Traded in our 2009 Ridgeline w/ all bells and whistles. The new 2017 is lighter, quieter, steers straighter, more alive and fun to drive. The navigation is way easier lights are where they should be and both the headlights and taillights , LED are beautiful. RDl-E. love it
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Goodbye Tacoma, Hello Ridgeline
If you are looking for a great driving, comfortable riding pickup then get a new Ridgeline. I bought the RTL-T AWD model and can't find anything I'd change. It's actually more comfortable than the 2011 Accord coupe I once owned. I am getting over 24 mpg in the month I've been driving it.
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Great overall truck!
After doing a lot of research for the last 6 months all avenues lead me back to the Honda Ridgeline. To me, the Black Edition looks the best of all the available models. I did add the hard tonneau cover, black rugged side steps, and CD player. The cover and the side steps really completes the look of the Black Edition. It looks very sporty. I have only had the truck for about a three weeks but so far I have been really happy with the purchase. Compare to my company Tacoma and S-10, the Ridgeline is a dream in difference. The Ridgeline rides very nice without jarring around over bumps like a typical truck. It rides about as smooth and almost as quiet as my Mercedes GLC. The truck has great pick up when you step on it and the 6 speed transmission does not feel like its hunting for the correct gear. I cannot say how it performs in the snow as this has been a very mild winter. The Black Edition and the RTL-E both comes with more bells and whistles than I know how to use and I am a very techie guy. It has tons of safety features such as lane departure, blind spot monitoring, back-up camera with cross traffic sensors, and adaptive cruise control. For what I use the truck for the Ridgeline fills all my needs. I do not haul or tow for a living and I am not a mudder/off-roader. My main needs are driving to visit family, weekend household hauling, and towing my fishing boat.
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