2023 Honda Ridgeline — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Truck

2023 Honda Ridgeline

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $38,897–$46,035
Fuel Economy 21 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Truck
Est. Annual Fuel $2,500/yr
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline scores 7.8/10 at Carivo, ranking #53 of 515 trucks, with 5 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,500/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2023 Honda Ridgeline

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleTruck
Base Price$38,897–$46,035

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2023 Honda Ridgeline

With an overall Carivo score of 7.8/10, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline earns a Recommended rating among the trucks we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.8/10, while Performance at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate the Honda Ridgeline's reliability at 8.8/10 — among the strongest in our truck database, reflecting the nameplate's track record and recall history. Safety is a strength too — 8.6/10 by our scoring. As with any car, verify the official ratings for your specific trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.8/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.1/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.

Priced from $38,897–$46,035, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Ridgeline sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. Value lands at 7.3/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.

Bottom line: Think of the 2023 Honda Ridgeline as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in performance are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Trucks

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline ranks #53 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 90% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $38,897 starting price is about 11% above the segment's median of $35,138.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $50k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2023 Honda Ridgeline

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$12,500 ($2,500/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 5 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Ridgeline Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2020 Honda Ridgeline scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.8 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.9/10$41,303 Read review →
2025 7.9/10$41,303 Read review →
2024 7.9/10$40,100 Read review →
2023 (this review) 7.8/10$38,897
2022 7.8/10$37,694 Read review →
2021 7.7/10$36,491 Read review →
2020 7.6/10$35,288 Read review →
2019 7.6/10$34,085 Read review →
2018 7.5/10$32,882 Read review →
2017 7.6/10$31,679 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2023 Honda Ridgeline

✓ What it does well

  • Proven long-term reliability — lower unplanned repair costs than class average
  • Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 21 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Honda Ridgeline (5 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Master cylinder
29/06/2023 · 23V458000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been…
Steering / Rack and pinion
07/03/2024 · 24V184000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Passport and Ridgeline vehicles. The inner ball joint housing in the steering gearbox assembly may loosen and detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Back over prevention / sensing system / camera
09/05/2024 · 24V321000
Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger
21/05/2026 · 26V332000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V,…
Structure / Frame and members
04/06/2026 · 26V365000
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2023 Honda Ridgeline that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2023 Honda Ridgeline

Is the 2023 Honda Ridgeline reliable?

We rate the 2023 Honda Ridgeline's reliability 8.8/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2023 Honda Ridgeline have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2023 Honda Ridgeline worth buying?

It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #53 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 90% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2023 Honda Ridgeline cost?

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline starts at $38,897 and ranges up to $46,035 across trims (MSRP when new). At 21 MPG, expect roughly $2,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Ridgeline years should you avoid?

No standout weak years: across the 10 Ridgeline model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.9/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.

What problems does the 2023 Honda Ridgeline have?

The documented issues for the 2023 Honda Ridgeline are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Service brakes, hydraulic, Steering, Back over prevention, Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Honda Ridgeline

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Honda Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.