2021 Honda Ridgeline Review

Name: 2021 Honda Ridgeline
Brand: Honda

Price Range: $23,590 - $34,990

Honda Ridgeline Black Edition Crew Cab Pickup Exterior Exterior

Great

8.5

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 Ridgeline is unique among pickup trucks. Its unibody construction (rather than more traditional body-on-frame construction) makes it more comfortable and refined to drive than other midsize trucks. It also boasts plenty of storage and abundant standard safety features. The Ridgeline does come up a little short on towing and off-road capability, but overall this is a very impressive midsize truck.

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Average price: $29,326

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Appraise My 2021 Honda Ridgeline

Honda Ridgeline model years

Honda Ridgeline for Sale

Pros

Superior ride and handling thanks to independent rear suspension
Unique two-way tailgate and large lockable in-bed trunk
Sophisticated all-wheel-drive system provides multi-surface traction
Spacious crew cab is comfortable and handsomely finished

Cons

Lacks low-range gearing and underbody clearance of typical trucks
Sensitive driver aids are distracting
No optional powertrain choices
Mild towing rating compared to top rivals

What's new

Restyled front end and new rear bumper with dual exhaust
Updated infotainment system adds physical volume knob
New aesthetic packages from Honda Performance Development
Part of the second Ridgeline generation introduced for 2017

Overview

Written by automotive expert Travis Langness

3/1/2021

The Honda Ridgeline has been our top-ranked midsize pickup truck for a while now. No other truck in the class can match its smooth ride, innovative storage options, and quiet and comfortable interior. It also has enough towing, hauling and off-roading capability to handle the majority of work or recreational tasks you'll want to use it for. On tap for the 2021 Ridgeline are a few changes to enhance the truck's cosmetic appeal.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

23 listings

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New Listing
2021 Honda Ridgeline
RTL-E Crew Cab
$28,436
good price
$1,739 below market
- 47,643 miles
- 5'4” bed, 3.5l, 6cyl
- 233 mi away
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Nanuet, NY
Rare Find,Apple CarPlay,Back-Up Camera,Blind Spot Monitor,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Heated Seats,Heated Steering Wheel,Keyless Start,Lane Keeping Assist,...
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (18 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
5FPYK3F74MB016364
Stock:
TB042638A
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
New Listing
2021 Honda Ridgeline
RTL-E Crew Cab
$23,590
good price
$1,568 below market
- 106,274 miles
- 5'4” bed, 3.5l, 6cyl
- 1,950 mi away
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Phoenix, AZ
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (18 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
5FPYK3F77MB025849
Stock:
2004938323
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
06-29-2026

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It seems a little silly saying it, but Honda is aiming to make the Ridgeline look more like a truck rather than a Honda Pilot SUV with a cargo bed out back. The new sheet metal from the windshield forward helps give the Ridgeline a more squared-off look than before. At the rear is a new rear bumper design and a sporty-looking dual exhaust. To further toughen up the looks Honda has brought out a HPD (Honda Performance Development) appearance package that includes squared-off fender guards, graphics and special bronze-colored wheels.

Honda hasn't done much else to the truck's other bits. Other than getting standard all-wheel drive for 2021 and a welcome volume knob for the infotainment system, it's the same Ridgeline as before. Is that a good thing? We think so. Read the categories of our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth evaluation on the 2021 Ridgeline and how it stacks up against rivals such as the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma.

What's it like to live with?

When the Ridgeline was redesigned in 2017, Edmunds brought one in for a long-term test. We lived with it for 12 months and drove it over 20,000 miles. We tested everything from fuel economy to family accommodations on long road trips. The 2017 model differs in some ways from the 2021 Ridgeline, but it's the same generation so many of our observations still apply. Read all about Edmunds' long-term test of the 2017 Honda Ridgeline.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.5

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Honda Ridgeline on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the Ridgeline drive? Many benefits come with the Ridgeline's unibody chassis, fully independent suspension and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Steering and handling are unrivaled among midsize pickups — this is where the benefits of being a car-based truck shine through.

We like how the 3.5-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic work together. The Ridgeline accelerates smoothly and has plenty of passing power on the highway. At our test track, the Ridgeline went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is a quick time for a midsize truck.

The catch: Off-road potential is limited. The Ridgeline is like a crossover SUV in this regard and lacks the underbody clearance, wheel articulation and low-range gearing that allows other 4WD pickups to venture into rockier territory. That said, the Ridgeline performs better with its independent rear suspension on washboard dirt roads than your typical solid-axle truck.

Comfort

9/10

How comfortable is the Ridgeline? The Ridgeline has the best ride comfort in the midsize pickup class. It easily absorbs bumps in the road and feels stable and composed around turns. The front seats have thin-yet-supportive padding that provides good long-distance comfort. The cushions are broad enough to accommodate larger folk, and effective side bolsters help keep drivers with narrower frames from sliding around.

Noise and vibration are kept to a minimum in the cabin. The exception is the surprisingly playful and grunty V6, which you'll hear when you mat the gas. Automatic tri-zone climate control is standard across the range, and it cools and heats the cabin well. RTL and above models get heated front seats that work quickly.

Interior

9/10

How’s the interior? The Ridgeline is friendly to the driver and passengers alike. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel is standard, and it's easy to find a comfortable driving position. Getting in and out is a breeze thanks to wide opening doors and lots of legroom. From the driver's seat, visibility is expansive and the squared-off hood helps you get a better sense of where the front of the truck is. The large rear window helps you see items that are in the bed or cars behind you.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? The Ridgeline's standard 8-inch touchscreen is attractive and easy to use and gains a much-needed volume knob this year. Voice controls require relatively specific commands but otherwise work well. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range and can also be accessed via the voice controls. The seven-speaker stereo could be better, though. It produced significant distortion at full volume in our testing.

Almost all of the Ridgeline's driver aids are standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring is the only optional safety feature. We'd award the Ridgeline a higher score in this category if some of the systems weren't so sensitive. The forward collision warning system, in particular, can be overly eager in issuing alerts.

Towing and Storage

9/10

How are the towing and storage? The Ridgeline's bed is the only one in the class that can hold 4-foot-wide sheets without perching on top of wheelwells. Payload is as high as 1,583 pounds in the right trim. That's among the best in the class and enough to haul large loads of lumber or gravel, or even a pair of motorcycles in the bed. For extra convenience, the Ridgeline has a lockable in-bed trunk and a trick two-way tailgate that opens down or sideways.

Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Other trucks can pull more but we consider 5,000 pounds a decent amount. If you're really into towing, you probably want to get a full-size truck anyway.

Inside, the Ridgeline blows the competition away. Many small cubbies, a massive center console bin and a big, flat storage area underneath the rear seats mean you might never have too much stuff. The Ridgeline's roomy rear seat also makes it easy to install child safety seats.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates that the all-wheel-drive Ridgeline (the only model available) will return 21 mpg combined (18 city/24 highway). That's better than a V6-equipped Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado but a little less than the turbocharged four-cylinder Ford Ranger. On our highway-heavy 115-mile evaluation route, our test Ridgeline returned 23 mpg. To us this indicates the EPA numbers should be fairly accurate.

Value

8/10

Is the Ridgeline a good value? The Ridgeline's base price has increased compared to prior years because there's no longer a front-wheel-drive version. Still, you get a lot for your money. Even the base Sport trim has a nearly full suite of standard safety features, along with smartphone integration and tri-zone automatic climate control. Prices at the top end of the Ridgeline lineup might seem steep, but you get unsurpassed cabin quality and unique items such as in-bed drivers that can be used as tailgate speakers.

Warranty coverage in the Ridgeline is average with basic coverage and roadside assistance lasting three years/36,000 miles and powertrain coverage lasting five years/60,000 miles.

Wildcard

8/10

The Ridgeline's more rugged styling for 2021 is bound to attract buyers who thought it looked too smooth and sophisticated in the past. It's always been the kind of pickup truck buyers would be quite happy with if they focused on need instead of want.

In terms of driving fun, there are two ways to think about the Ridgeline. The first way is to be disappointed that it can't crawl up rocks like a Gladiator Rubicon. The second way is to see it as way more fun to drive every day thanks to class-leading handling and steering dynamics. We choose the latter.

2021 Honda Ridgeline trim level differences

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is a midsize crew-cab pickup offered in four trim levels: Sport, RTL, RTL-E and Black Edition. All Ridgelines are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine (280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque) mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Feature highlights include: Compare the 2021 Honda Ridgeline trim levels in-depth.

Which Ridgeline trim does Edmunds recommend?

Go for the RTL-E. A base Ridgeline has lots of standard safety features, but the RTL-E adds some desirable extras such as blind-spot monitoring, the upgraded stereo, a heated steering wheel, rear seat USB ports and Honda's in-bed stereo drivers.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$233/mo

$303/mo

Avg. Large Truck

Calculate my fuel costs

Reliability

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 7 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #5 out of 8 among Midsize Trucks. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#5 out of 8 among Midsize Trucks

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$429/yr

vs. $451/yr
for Average Midsize Truck

Frequency

0.87x/yr

vs. 0.79x/yr
for Average Midsize Truck

Severity

15.7%

vs. 13.6%
for Average Midsize Truck

Recalls

7 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 26V365000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: AOU, AOT
Number of vehicles affected:: 880514
Defect Description:: American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Defect Consequence:: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

Recall Number:: 26V332000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: Refer to C
Manufactured from:: 2016-06-29 to
Number of vehicles affected:: 98892
Defect Description:: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Defect Consequence:: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Recall Number:: 24V321000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: YI7
Number of vehicles affected:: 187290
Defect Description:: Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Defect Consequence:: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.

Recall Number:: 24V064000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: XHP, VHQ
Number of vehicles affected:: 750114
Defect Description:: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Defect Consequence:: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, and October 18, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

Recall Number:: 23V458000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: VEU, AEV,
Number of vehicles affected:: 124077
Defect Description:: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Defect Consequence:: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Recall Number:: 23V174000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: FE5
Number of vehicles affected:: 339404
Defect Description:: Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 11, 2023. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.

Recall Number:: 21V900000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: ABS, BBT,
Number of vehicles affected:: 4346
Defect Description:: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect Consequence:: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Honda Ridgeline Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.6

46 reviews

5(80%)

4(9%)

3(7%)

2(2%)

1(2%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 Honda Ridgeline video

2021 Honda Ridgeline Review | Honda's Pickup Truck Gets Updated

We at Edmunds happen to love the old Ridgeline, and we have repeatedly ranked it as the best midsize truck. What else does Honda have in store for the 2021 model?

2021 Ridgeline Features & Specs

Trim:

Sport

Est. Market Value	$27,180
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$233/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	5,000 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Ridgeline models:

Collision Mitigation Braking: Warns the driver of a possible forward collision and engages the brakes to reduce the severity of a front impact.
Adaptive Cruise Control: Manages following distance as well as speed, and it can be switched to speed-only mode if desired.
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera: Gives the driver a clear view behind the truck, which can be especially useful when the bed or cabin is full or when connecting a trailer.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover16.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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