carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $42,746–$53,452 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2018 Honda Ridgeline SL at 7.4/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 8.4/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.0/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.7/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.0/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $42,746–$53,452, 16 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Ridgeline SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2018 Honda Ridgeline SL is a passable truck but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
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 2018 Honda Ridgeline SL ranks #251 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 51% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $42,746 starting price is about 22% 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 →
Across the Ridgeline SL model years we've scored, the 2018 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $53,693 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $52,130 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $50,566 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $49,002 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $47,438 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $45,874 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $44,310 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $42,746 | |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $41,182 | Read review → |
We rate the 2018 Honda Ridgeline SL's reliability 8.4/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #251 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 51% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2018 Honda Ridgeline SL starts at $42,746 and ranges up to $53,452 across trims (MSRP when new). At 16 MPG, expect roughly $3,281/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.