2021 Honda Ridgeline HPD: Test Drive Review 

Hands down the best everyday truck.

I bought a this truck in 18 after your review. I have owned diesels, half tons and small trucks. While it doesn’t compete with those larger trucks this is hands down the best everyday vehicle I have ever owned. It’s simply so handy, and so easy to live with. The toughest part of owning it is the small hand crowd comments about being a “real truck” hauls more than a taco and that’s a truck? Weird. Great review !!

So, this review contains one of my favorite comical items: Ridgeline Haters: We are big burly macho men who do big macho things, this isn't a real truck and we wouldn't be caught dead in it. Also Ridgeline Haters: OMG it doesn't have a soft-down tailgate I might strain myself! It's like everyone these days doesn't remember that before the mid-2000s we had to be tough and lift the damn thing ourselves. Unless you are young enough to just now be getting your license, you lived in a time when this option was only available recently, and even then until very recently it was reserved for the top trims. Of course the counter argument I usually hear is that it helps prevent possible damage to the tailgate on the $50k or more status symbol you just bought. To which I say, aren't trucks meant for work and expected to get dinged up? If you are afraid of scratching it doing work, you probably don't need a truck in the first place, at least not for work.

Great review Sam. Best Midsize truck in America, just bought a 2021 BE trim fresh off the factory line to trade in my 2006 Ridgeline for three weeks ago and couldn't be happier.

Great job. Really enjoy your reviews and how you talk to your audience!

Anyone knocking on the price hasn't shopped around for a pickup truck lately. A Ram 1500 with same features will cost you $60-70k.

Once again a great review !!!

Great, honest review which I really appreciate! Thanks!

Great review!

Thanks, always appreciate your perspective. Personally, I think the Ridgeline deserves to be taken seriously and is a very compelling option for those needing the utility of bed without any of the tradeoffs of a traditional body-on-frame truck. Not the best choice for towing or off-roading but the payload is awesome and it handles like a SUV. Even more compelling seeing how well it handled those washboard roads (my favorite part of your evaluations). Curious, do you think the Passport would hold up as well in your washboard test drive? I got the impression that you were lukewarm on the Passport when you reviewed it at Yosemite.

I’d buy this in a New York minute if I could tow it behind my motorhome! Have an ‘07 Jeep Liberty I tow and drive a 2015 XC70 as my daily, but I’m ready for a new vehicle and want to buy just one new vehicle. CRV used to be a wildly popular dinghy to flat tow, but if Honda would make the Ridgeline flat towable I know they could sell even more! Thanks for the review, Sam! Watch ‘em all and always enjoy!

excellent review,,, my eye on this truck to buy in 2022,,, thankyou for your insight,,

Good review 👍

The Ridgeline seems to be pretty polarizing in the circle of dudes I hang out with. Some hate it and some love it. There isn’t much middle ground. It’s just not macho enough for some guys, it seems. I love it. I also love the new Santa Cruz but I like odd ball vehicles.

Enjoyable sensible review as usual. HPD? Too close to HPV for me but I’m considering the RTL-E to replace my CRV. I’m 6’1 and like my rear passengers being comfy too sooo 🤷🏾

Sam, is there a manual seat height adjustment for the drivers’ seat? Thank you.

This truck spends most of its life on pavement……… sam, that’s all trucks! Even the lifted diesel pavement princesses.

I think the RTL trim is also missing rear passenger USB ports and I find that really disappointing. It’s not going to be a deal breaker but dang Honda.

Hi Sam. Just a few of my thoughts. Was really wanting to get this truck this year but on the test ride I couldn’t forgive that emergency brake intrusion on the left leg. Also the lack of full LED’s, missing the 10 speed transmission, soft open tailgate and the older style infotainment. Thanks for all your work on these reviews. Appreciate your views always

Thanks for the info now making a reservation for the ford Maverick

Seems like the mileage should be better. We have the 21 Ody and easily get 31 mpg on the highway and 23 in town. Can't imagine the 9spd is that less efficient than the 10 spd.

Wow a base model that cost over 40K??? I love Honda. A good quality brand, still not sure I would spend that amount of money for a vehicle without power seats, leather interior a premium sound radio…

I have the 2017 Ridgeline and I m thinking about trading for the 2021 but if I am going to spend that kind of money I want all of the features power windows and power seats and especially the all wheel drive.

Sounds like a lot of Loud Road Noise, no ???

At first I questioned the "truckness" of the Ridgeline. But with the latest version that went away. This appearance package, though... It reminds me of my daughters when they were learning to wear makeup. I would tell them, a little bit goes a long way. This truck looks like my 7 year-old daughter got a hold of her mom's makeup and tried to wear too much. Those fender flares would have looked much better 1/2 the width. The wheels, though alright, in combination with the flares look too...thick(?). If the "V" pattern had been slightly thinner or tapered inward, something to make it look like they weren't trying so hard. Finally, that Honda badge is almost the same size as the Ram emblem on the Ram 2500...too much. Overall, the truck is fine, but, Honda, tone it down.

Also Jorts!!! :-)

It's a awesome light duty truck. I have 5000 miles on my 2021 Ridgeline so far very happy. I agree with this review however I think I would give price 3 stars. Not because it's not a good truck but I think Honda overpriced it to a certain degree.

The sport should of had a msrp of 29-31k.

way too expensive here in canada ,if im going to spend 50k on a truck might as well get an f150

TACKY!

Nice truck overall. My biggest complaint is towing capability. If honda could up the towing to 6000 or 6500lbs, I would've considered it.

They really need to get mpg in the mid 20’s.

SO I own a ridgeline for 1 1/2 years now, love the truck but it has 4 horrible features #1- Infotainment sucks #2- Adaptive cruise control horrible #3- Mushy brake pedals #4- AC control buttons are tiny and horrendous, impossible to change settings w/o taking your eye off the wheel.

No power seats adjustment, no soft open tailgate, and the bolt upright rear seating. I'd much prefer a 2.0L turbocharged Maverick FX4 for less money TBH. Great review as always Sir!

No timing chain .. Honda uses a belt in this motor 🤦🏻‍♂️

Yes Honda made it look like a truck but did not give it a power train of a mid-size truck, therefore when the 22’ Frontier soon hits the showroom I will be trading at Nissan.

The 2021 Honda ridgeline was 1st on my list but after considering the following, it’s a no-buy. 1. Unless you live in the snow belt, there is no reason for a truck designed specifically to NOT be used off-road to be offered only in AWD. The AWD makes it $3,000 more that its competitors, get 1-2 mpg less, and adds unneeded complexity and AWD does NOT make a vehicle handle better (see consumer reports). 2. Honda is the last major manufacturer to use timing belt interference engines. Honda saves $10 a vehicle by using a belt and the consumer has a $1,000 - 1,500 routine maintenance every 60-100K in belt and water pump replacement. EVERY other manufacturer has switched to timing chains. Honda also uses the hated push button shifters and touch screen controls all just to make it cheaper to build. This all says something about a company.

Overpriced !!! Every SUV & Truck vehicle in U.S. has a starting 40K price tag ....makes no damn sense and do no understand why people are willing to pay these outrageous prices.