2023 Honda Ridgeline
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $38,897–$46,035 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
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 →
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 →
| 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 |
| Insurance | Varies 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.
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.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 → |
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 →
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).
5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.