Was 2017 a good year for Honda Ridgeline?

Yes. The 2017 Ridgeline is widely regarded as a successful relaunch, drawing praise for a carlike ride, clever bed features, and practical practicality in the midsize pickup segment.

The year marked Honda’s strategic re-entry with a redesigned Ridgeline that emphasized comfort, everyday usability, and innovative utilities, while competing in a crowded field that included more traditional body-on-frame pickups. This article looks at what made 2017 notable, how critics and buyers responded, and what trade-offs came with Honda’s unibody approach.

What made 2017 stand out

Critics and buyers pointed to a combination of design decisions and features that differentiated the Ridgeline in its class. The following aspects were particularly influential in 2017.

• Unibody construction that delivers a smoother, carlike ride while still offering pickup utility.


• i-VTM4 all‑wheel drive for balanced on-road handling and stable performance in varied conditions.


• Innovative bed features, including a dual‑action tailgate, a lockable in-bed storage area, and a drain plug for easy cleanup.


• A practical interior with comfortable seating, quality materials, and intuitive technology.


• Safety and driver-assistance options that were accessible across trims, contributing to strong perceived value.

Together, these attributes helped position the 2017 Ridgeline as a compelling alternative to more traditional pickups, appealing to buyers who prioritized ride quality and everyday usability over rugged off-road bragging rights.

Performance, practicality, and real-world use

Beyond the features, the Ridgeline’s real-world behavior shaped its reception. The following points summarize how it performed in daily use and how it compared with peers.

• Ride comfort and cabin quietness stood out, making the Ridgeline feel more like a crossover than a rugged work truck.


• Interior practicality benefited from thoughtful packaging, including flexible seating and accessible storage options.


• Bed versatility—the cornerstone of the Ridgeline—plus the in-bed trunk offered usable space for tools, sports gear, and outdoorsy gear.


• Payload and towing capabilities were solid for a unibody pickup, though generally not as high as some traditional body-on-frame rivals, reflecting the trade-off for ride quality and efficiency.

These factors helped critics and buyers view the 2017 Ridgeline as a well-rounded choice for families, contractors, and outdoor enthusiasts who valued comfort and clever design over maximum off-road prowess or peak payload.

Market reception and industry perspective

Industry response to 2017 largely reinforced the Ridgeline’s appeal as a distinctive option in the midsize segment. Critics praised its ride, interior quality, and bed innovations, while noting that its unibody architecture meant different trade-offs than some competitors. The model’s popularity contributed to renewed interest in Honda’s pickup lineup and informed expectations for how the brand would evolve the Ridgeline in later years.

Challenges and trade-offs

Even as 2017 was celebrated, observers pointed to certain limitations inherent to the Ridgeline’s design choice. The unibody platform, while delivering a smoother ride and better on-road manners, typically offered lower payload and sometimes less rugged off-road capability than traditional midsize pickups. In a market where some buyers still prioritized sheer toughness and high towing numbers, Ridgeline’s appeal leaned more toward versatility, comfort, and everyday practicality. This balance defined 2017 as a strong year with clear strengths and understandable compromises.

Summary and takeaway

In a year that marked Honda’s return to a competitive midsize pickup market, the 2017 Ridgeline delivered a compelling package. It combined a refined ride, practical versatility, and innovative bed features to win favor with critics and buyers seeking a more comfortable, well-rounded pickup. The trade-offs—primarily payload and off-road capacity relative to some rivals—were acknowledged but did not significantly undermine its success among its target audience. Overall, 2017 is viewed as a positive year for the Ridgeline, helping establish the model as a distinctive and durable option in its segment.

Looking back, the 2017 Ridgeline set a tone for Honda’s approach to pickups: prioritize everyday usability and clever design over brute strength, and the model can carve out a durable niche even in a crowded market.

What is the best year of Ridgeline to buy?

The best Honda Ridgeline to buy is a 2020 model year or newer, with the 2020-2021 models being particularly recommended for their improved 9-speed transmission and updated safety features. While later models, such as 2021 and newer, have updated styling, the 2020 model year is praised for offering a good balance of reliability, updated features, and a reasonable price point before the most significant styling changes. 
Recommended model years

• 2020: Generally considered the most reliable of the second-generation models. It introduced the updated 9-speed transmission and standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. 
• 2021 and newer: These models feature a more rugged exterior redesign, upgraded interior materials, and even more advanced infotainment and safety features. While they are the newest, they may be more expensive. 

Years to be cautious about

• 2017-2019: These early second-generation models had some documented issues, particularly with the 6-speed transmission and fuel injectors. While many owners have had no problems, it's crucial to check the maintenance history and ensure any potential issues were addressed. 

Why these years are recommended

• Improved Transmission: The 2020 model year onwards features a more efficient 9-speed transmission, which replaced the less reliable 6-speed transmission found in the 2017-2019 models. 
• Enhanced Safety: The second-generation models began introducing the Honda Sensing suite of safety features as standard, with more being added in subsequent years. 
• Reliability: While reliability varies from model year to model year, 2020 and newer models are widely considered to have ironed out many of the initial kinks of the second generation. 
• Updated Styling: If a more modern look is important to you, models from 2021 onwards have a redesigned front end and other styling updates. 

What is the transmission problem on a 2017 Honda Ridgeline?

Short answer: The most common problems with the Honda Ridgeline transmission include transmission fluid leaks, torque converter issues, solenoid malfunctions, and clutch problems.

What year to stay away from Honda Ridgeline?

The Honda Ridgeline years to avoid are primarily 2006, 2017, and 2018-2019, due to significant engine and transmission issues. The 2006 model is linked to a specific cylinder failure problem, while the 2017-2019 models suffered from transmission, torque converter, and fuel injector problems, especially on certain trims.
 
This video discusses reasons to avoid the Honda Ridgeline, including its design and off-road capability: 1mFuel ForceYouTube · Aug 27, 2025
First generation (2006-2014)

• 2006: Prone to engine failure in the fourth cylinder, often occurring around 100,000 miles. 
• 2006: Other issues include problems with the engine, interior accessories like the gauge cluster, and exterior paint clear coat fading or peeling. 

Second generation (2017-present)

• 2017-2019: These model years are known for issues with the six-speed automatic transmission, including torque converter failure. 
• 2017-2019: Also reported to have failed fuel injectors, which can impact fuel efficiency and performance. 
• 2017: Specifically, the 2017 model year had a higher frequency of fuel injector failures. 
• 2020: While 2020 was the first year of the new ZF 9-speed automatic transmission, some sources still cite concerns and note that the 2020 model year was part of a lawsuit concerning the transmission's programming, according to ClassAction.org. 

Is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline a good car?

Among the 134 owners who provided feedback on the 2017 Honda Ridgeline for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with 93% recommending the vehicle. As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's reliability and comfort to be its strongest features and styling to be its weakest.