2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport | HPD to the Rescue?

I’ve always been a Ridgeline fan and I was super impressed when I drove this 2nd generation model 5 years ago. Now, the looks - not so much - but the clever features, generous space and car-like ride coupled with a legit AWD system made it my favorite small pickup. So the question in my mind: are these 2021 updates enough to keep it at the top of my list?

MSRP as-tested: $41,215

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2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport

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[mtnx]

A very honest review that Honda needs to see.

[kevinblock]

Perfectly honest review - I like that and agree with everything stated

[hamzaismail]

I hope Honda people see this and actually do something

[lancelane]

Have to agree wholeheartedly with your appraisal. Thanks for telling it like it is Steve!

[raphaelsanchez]

Steve —- I’ve been watching you for years, and this was a very critical, but well founded review. I agree with you completely. I owned a 2017 RTL-E with all the bells and whistles and I’m shocked that Honda is sitting on its laurels 5 model years later. I guess they think they can afford to sit on their laurels. Thanks for your honesty.

[fuffthebucks]

Steve is always honest in such a concise way

[Ryan-cflc]

Ugh, still waiting for a major interior refresh with no signs of anything coming soon. Love Ridgeline but way too many compromises to own one.

[mikeriv]

Imo much better truck then you give it credit for...priced high ..yes.
So wait for a sale :)

[noahboy]

I love your honesty with your reviews and agree for $40, 000 I expect more bells and whistles aa standard equipment on this Ridgeline.

[iwingkitli]

Ouch Steve. What a knife into Honda’s heart.

[seagrass]

The sport without the HPD is a great truck and worth owning. Price out a Gladiator or comparable Taco and they will be at least same price and get back to me in 100k miles. (Need a new frame yota fans?) 500 a month where you shop? They are at least 100$ less in the northeast. A Jeep Gladiator is a another 5-7k for less equipment and it’s a Jeep. A 37k taco is around 500-525 for a pretty stripped SR5…..These trucks are for people that know what they need and don’t care about the Jones’s Ram with low range that collects dust and calvin peeing on a bow tie.

[carmel]

HPD seems to be Honda's attempt to be TRD (Toyota's Performance Division), but as Steve has said, it seems to be nothing more than an appearance package.

[dabradguy]

The HPD pack is a joke. RTL is a much better deal. I have a Sport without the HPD and I absolutely love it. the price felt fair for what you get. My only complaint is the rubber steering wheel. I very much dislike touching it and will for sure get it professionally leather wrapped in the near future.

[Pabla]

The Ridgeline gets a lot of hate since its not a proper "truck", but 90% of truck buyers don't even utilize their vehicles for what they are. The body on frame platform introduces a lot of space without the downsides of owning a proper 1500 and has some cool storage areas. Unfortunately the price of 41K for a base model is such an oversight, the Ford and Hyundai will outsell this very soon

[MrShanester]

American truck buyers crave luxury and features and are willing to pay for them. Not every truck buyer wants the size of a big truck. Honda could manufacture a feature rich Ridgeline trim package to meet that need. Consumers like options and the plebeian trim levels on the Ridgeline don't cut it. This could be hurting sales and market expansion for Ridgeline. Sad, because Honda's have a good reputation, but now lack the pizazz consumers want.

[dygardion]

A 41k truck with no led running lights?!!!

[cleanasdirt]

Honda has really dropped the ball when it comes to features for the $.I have seriously considered this vehicle, but when it comes to the final price, it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

[Tinrs]

I actually like the Ridgeline.. i wouldn't own one ...but my issue is similar to yours. is this 2014 or 2021.. Needs a major interior update and add some standard safety stuff. Still like it tho. just not for me.

[LarRy-kmxl]

Thanks Steve for the straightforward review including both good and not so good aspects. Now I know why coz when I was in the market, i wondered why dealers would have a lot of Sport trims on the lot and very few higher trims. The HPD never appealed to me...$2, 800 for a grill, colored wheels, ugly plastic fenders and stickers? No thanks, i don't see any added performance in those items. Definitely max profit for Honda there. I can't believe Honda sent the Sport for a review...they blew their chance at first impression. I'll wait for the next gen and if I can't, there's plenty of competition out there.

[warrenbarnes]

Does the front driver’s seat at least have a height adjustment? I need the high seat. Thank you.