Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Honda Ridgeline Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateBest Honda Ridgeline Model Years (Ranked)
The Honda Ridgeline is the unibody contrarian in a body-on-frame pickup world. Built on the same platform family as the Pilot and Odyssey, it trades a separate ladder frame for a car-like ride, a class-leading In-Bed Trunk, and a dual-action tailgate. Two distinct generations define the nameplate: the angular first generation (2006-2014) and the smoother second generation (2017-present).
Each has standout years and a couple to approach with caution. This ranking sorts the best Ridgeline model years by drivetrain refinement, reliability, value, and feature set, so you can find the right used truck — whether you want the bargain original or a near-new daily-driver pickup.
Direct Answer
The best overall Honda Ridgeline is the 2020 model year, which combines the second generation's smooth 3.5L i-VTEC V6, a refined 9-speed automatic, available i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and Honda Sensing safety tech, all after the early second-gen software updates settled in.
The best value Honda Ridgeline is the 2017 model year — the launch of the better-driving second generation, now well into its depreciation curve and the cheapest way into the modern truck. Bargain hunters who want a workhorse should consider a clean 2012-2014 first-generation Ridgeline.
1. 2020 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The 2020 Ridgeline is the most polished second-generation truck before the 2021 styling refresh. It uses the 3.5L SOHC i-VTEC V6 (280 hp, 262 lb-ft) paired with a 9-speed automatic and Honda's i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD. Standard Honda Sensing brings adaptive cruise, collision mitigation braking, and lane keeping.
The unibody chassis delivers a ride no body-on-frame midsize truck matches, while the In-Bed Trunk and dual-action tailgate add genuine utility. EPA ratings land near 19 city / 24 highway mpg with AWD. This is the most refined, lowest-risk used Ridgeline you can buy.
Owners report the cabin stays notably quieter than rivals at highway speed.
2. 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL 💎 BEST VALUE
The 2017 launched the better-driving second generation and is now the value pick of the lineup. It carries the same fundamentals as the 2020 — 3.5L V6, 9-speed automatic (early units had a few software updates), available AWD, the In-Bed Trunk, and the unique truck-bed audio system on upper trims.
The value math is straightforward: the second-gen platform and V6 at the lowest entry price, with most depreciation already absorbed. Confirm the 9-speed transmission software updates were applied when checking service records.
The flat, lockable In-Bed Trunk swallows coolers, tools, or muddy gear out of sight.
3. 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport
The 2021 brought a substantial styling refresh, giving the Ridgeline a more rugged, traditional-truck front end with a flatter hood and bolder grille. Mechanicals carried over — 3.5L V6, 9-speed automatic, i-VTM4 AWD — and a new HPD package added bronze wheels and fender flares for buyers who wanted the tougher look.
It is the best choice for someone who wanted the Ridgeline's ride but felt the early cars looked too soft. Prices sit just above the 2020 but below newer trucks.
The wider grille and squared hood gave the truck the road presence buyers wanted.
4. 2019 Honda Ridgeline RTL-T
The 2019 is a strong second-generation year that benefited from a couple of seasons of running refinements. It keeps the 280 hp V6, 9-speed automatic, and available AWD, with Honda Sensing widely available. It splits the difference between the value-priced 2017 and the top-pick 2020, offering most of the maturity at a slightly lower price.
Reliable, comfortable, and practical, it is an easy second-gen recommendation for budget-minded buyers.
It is a frequent recommendation as a no-drama, do-everything family hauler.
5. 2018 Honda Ridgeline RTL
The 2018 was the second year of the modern Ridgeline and saw incremental fixes over the launch 2017. The drivetrain is unchanged — 3.5L V6, 9-speed, available AWD — and the In-Bed Trunk and dual-action tailgate remain class-unique. It is a smart used buy for shoppers who want a slightly newer second-gen car than the 2017 without paying 2020 money. As always, verify transmission software updates and any open recalls.
The composite bed resists the dents and rust that plague steel beds over time.
6. 2014 Honda Ridgeline Special Edition
The 2014 closed out the first generation with the Special Edition, which added blacked-out trim and unique wheels. Under the angular body sits the proven 3.5L J-series SOHC V6 (250 hp) and a 5-speed automatic with standard VTM-4 AWD. The first-gen J35 V6 and 5-speed are a famously durable combination, making a clean 2014 one of the best bargain workhorses on this list.
The boxy styling has aged into genuine character.
First-gen models share much of their hardware with the bulletproof Pilot of the era.
7. 2012 Honda Ridgeline RTL
The 2012 is a strong late first-generation year, well sorted after the original 2006 launch. The 3.5L V6, 5-speed automatic, and AWD carry over, along with the original's clever In-Bed Trunk and dual-action tailgate that the second generation inherited. It is one of the cheapest ways into a genuinely useful, dependable midsize pickup. First-gen towing tops out around 5,000 pounds, which suits most light-duty buyers.
A timing-belt service on the J35 is the main scheduled big-ticket item to budget for.
8. 2022 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
The 2022 is a near-new second-generation truck with the refreshed styling, standard AWD across the lineup, and the full Honda Sensing suite. The 3.5L V6 and 9-speed are unchanged but thoroughly proven by this point. It is the choice for buyers who want the newest Ridgeline at a used discount, with the most modern safety tech and the rugged post-refresh look.
Expect prices above the older second-gen years but below a new truck.
Standard AWD by this point removed the guesswork of older optional-drivetrain trucks.
9. 2013 Honda Ridgeline Sport
The 2013 added the Sport trim to the first-generation lineup with black wheels and dark accents. Mechanically it is the familiar, durable combination of the J35 V6, 5-speed automatic, and VTM-4 AWD. For buyers who like the angular first-gen styling but want a slightly sportier look, the 2013 Sport is the pick. Like all first-gen trucks, it offers the In-Bed Trunk and a smooth unibody ride at an affordable price.
The dual-action tailgate swings sideways or folds down for easy loading.
10. 2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL (1st gen launch)
The 2006 launched the entire nameplate and won Motor Trend Truck of the Year for its inventive unibody concept. It introduced the In-Bed Trunk, dual-action tailgate, and the 3.5L V6 with VTM-4 AWD that defined the original. As the cheapest Ridgeline on this list, a well-kept 2006 is a budget utility hauler with surprising practicality. Buy on condition and maintenance history rather than year, and inspect for rust in salt-belt examples.
Early examples are now cheap enough to serve as a dependable second vehicle.
Reliability and Ownership Notes
Across both generations the Ridgeline has earned a reputation as a low-stress vehicle to own. The first-generation J35 V6 and its companion five-speed automatic are a famously durable pairing, and the only major scheduled expense is the timing-belt service that comes due around 100,000 miles.
The second-generation 3.5L V6 carries that same robust reputation, though early 2017-2018 trucks should be checked to confirm the dealer applied the available transmission control software updates that smoothed early nine-speed shift behavior. Because the Ridgeline shares its unibody platform with the Honda Pilot and Odyssey, parts are inexpensive and widely stocked, and most independent shops can service it without specialized tooling.
Brake and tire wear track with normal SUV use rather than heavy-truck duty, helping keep running costs down. Towing tops out around 5,000 pounds, which suits trailers, small boats, and utility loads but not heavy fifth-wheel work. For buyers who want a pickup that drives like a crossover and rarely surprises them at the service desk, the Ridgeline is one of the safest used choices in the midsize segment.
How to Choose
Pick your generation first. The first generation (2006-2014) offers the legendary durability of the J35 V6 and 5-speed automatic, the In-Bed Trunk, and the lowest prices, with the 2012-2014 years being the most refined; the trade-off is dated infotainment and a more upright shape.
The second generation (2017-present) drives better, adds the 9-speed automatic, i-VTM4 AWD, and Honda Sensing, with the 2020 as the all-around best and the 2017 as the value entry. If you tow regularly, note that the second generation handles up to about 5,000 pounds and rides far better unladen than any body-on-frame rival.
On any Ridgeline, confirm the timing belt service on the J35 V6, check for the 9-speed transmission software updates on early second-gen cars, and scan for open recalls.
FAQ
What is the best Honda Ridgeline model year? The 2020 Ridgeline is the best overall: a matured second-generation truck with the 280 hp V6, 9-speed automatic, i-VTM4 AWD, and standard Honda Sensing, before the 2021 refresh and well after the early launch updates.
Is the Honda Ridgeline a real truck? Yes, though it is unibody rather than body-on-frame. That construction gives it a smoother ride and the unique In-Bed Trunk, while still offering about a 5,000-pound towing capacity and a usable composite bed for most light-duty truck tasks.
Which Ridgeline generation is more reliable? Both are dependable. The first generation's J35 V6 and 5-speed automatic are famously stout, while the second generation is more refined and feature-rich. Buy the first gen for lowest cost, the second gen for modern safety and ride quality.
Does every Honda Ridgeline have all-wheel drive? The first generation came standard with VTM-4 AWD. The second generation offered AWD as an option early on, and Honda made i-VTM4 AWD standard across the lineup in later model years, so confirm the drivetrain on any specific second-gen truck.
Bottom Line
Honda backs the Ridgeline with the same drivetrain warranty as the rest of its truck lineup, and the J-series and 9-speed mechanicals are widely supported by independent shops, keeping ownership costs reasonable. Buyers cross-shopping a Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, or Chevrolet Colorado will find the Ridgeline rides far better on pavement, hauls a full sheet of plywood flat in the bed, and returns competitive fuel economy, even if it cannot match a body-on-frame rival for hardcore towing or rock-crawling.
For the suburban owner who occasionally needs a bed, that trade is usually the right one.
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline is the best overall buy: the smoothest, most feature-complete second-generation truck before the refresh. The 2017 is the value leader for getting into the modern platform cheaply, and a clean 2012-2014 first-generation Ridgeline is the bargain workhorse thanks to its bulletproof J35 V6.
Decide between ride-and-tech refinement and lowest-cost durability, then verify timing belt service, transmission updates, and recall status on the specific truck.
Sources
- Honda Ridgeline — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Ridgeline
- EPA Fuel Economy ratings, Honda Ridgeline: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=41999
- IIHS Honda Ridgeline ratings: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/honda/ridgeline-crew-cab-pickup
- NHTSA recalls and complaints, Honda Ridgeline: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Honda J engine (J35) — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_J_engine
- American Honda official Ridgeline page: https://automobiles.honda.com/ridgeline
- Motor Trend Truck of the Year — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_Trend_Truck_of_the_Year