Whats the best year for the Honda Ridgeline?
The Honda Ridgeline has long been a favorite among truck enthusiasts who value a smooth ride, innovative features, and Honda’s legendary reliability. But with so many model years to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which year stands out as the best. In this article, we’ll dive into the history of the Honda Ridgeline and highlight the model years that have earned the highest praise from drivers and experts alike.
A Brief Overview of the Honda Ridgeline
First introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model, the Honda Ridgeline broke the mold of traditional pickup trucks. Unlike body-on-frame trucks, the Ridgeline features a unibody construction, offering a car-like ride while maintaining the utility of a truck. Over the years, Honda has refined the Ridgeline, adding new features, improving performance, and addressing customer feedback.
Top Honda Ridgeline Model Years
While every Ridgeline model year has its strengths, a few stand out for their exceptional reliability, features, and overall value. Here are the top contenders:
2019 Honda Ridgeline: The 2019 model is often praised for its balance of comfort, technology, and capability. It features a powerful V6 engine, a spacious interior, and advanced safety features like Honda Sensing. Additionally, its innovative in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate make it a practical choice for truck owners.
2020 Honda Ridgeline: Building on the success of the 2019 model, the 2020 Ridgeline introduced a standard 9-speed automatic transmission, improving fuel efficiency and performance. It also added standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it a tech-savvy option for modern drivers.
2021 Honda Ridgeline: The 2021 model received a significant refresh, including a more rugged exterior design and improved all-wheel-drive capabilities. It’s an excellent choice for those who want a truck that looks as tough as it performs.
Why These Years Stand Out
These model years are celebrated for their reliability, innovative features, and overall value. Honda’s commitment to quality ensures that even older Ridgeline models remain dependable, but the 2019-2021 models strike a perfect balance between modern technology and proven performance.
What to Consider When Choosing a Honda Ridgeline
When deciding on the best year for your Honda Ridgeline, consider the following factors:
- Budget: Newer models may come with a higher price tag, but they also include the latest features and improvements.
- Features: Determine which features are most important to you, such as advanced safety systems, infotainment options, or towing capacity.
- Condition: If you’re buying used, ensure the vehicle has been well-maintained and has a clean history report.
Conclusion
The best year for the Honda Ridgeline ultimately depends on your needs and preferences. However, the 2019, 2020, and 2021 models consistently receive high marks for their reliability, features, and overall value. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable daily driver or a versatile truck for weekend adventures, the Honda Ridgeline is a solid choice that won’t disappoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the negatives on a Honda Ridgeline?
Cons of the Honda Ridgeline:
Off-Road Capability: While the Ridgeline's all-wheel-drive system provides adequate traction in various driving conditions, it may not be as capable off-road as some traditional body-on-frame trucks with dedicated four-wheel-drive systems.
What was a bad year for Honda Ridgeline?
The Honda Ridgeline is known for mixing reliability with performance in the compact pickup truck market. Yet, some years saw repeated problems. Owners have reported issues mainly with the 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2017 models.
What year of Ridgeline is best?
If you're looking for a used Honda Ridgeline, you have several model years to choose from. First-generation models ranging from 2009 to 2012 are known for their reliability, but second-generation models ranging from 2018 to the present are also good choices.
How much should I pay for a Ridgeline?
The 2025 Honda Ridgeline brings refinement to the midsize pickup truck class, along with plenty of other talents. Pricing starts at $41,600. The Honda Ridgeline brings refinement to the midsize pickup truck class, along with plenty of other talents. Pricing starts at $41,545.
Do 2017 Honda Ridgelines have transmission problems?
Unfortunately, the 6-speed transmission in the 2017-2019 Ridgeline is a ``trouble spot''. Overheating, judder, torque converter failure, pressure switch failure, and transmission failure are among the reported issues. Other issues to look out for are:
Why are Honda Ridgelines not selling?
Rather than a typical pickup truck. So the whole driving. Experience with the ridgel. Line is far more enjoyable compared to trucks like the Chevy Colorado. And Ford Ranger.
What is the average life of a Honda Ridgeline?
The Honda Ridgeline has an average lifespan of 201,183 miles or about 14.8 years. The Ridgeline's predicted lifespan is derived from over 300 million data points iSeeCars analyzed to determine this model's average lifespan.
Do ridgelines hold their value?
A 2022 Honda Ridgeline has depreciated $13,773 or 34% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $25,662 and trade-in value of $22,787. The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is in the 25-75% percentile for depreciation among all 2022 Pickups.
What years did Honda have bad transmissions?
According to carcomplaints.com, the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 selections are the worst when looking at the transmission years. The earlier years of the Honda Accord struggled the most with the transmission.
What is the recall on the 2017 Honda Ridgeline engine?
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
