2017 Honda Ridgeline

2017 Honda Ridgeline Highlights

The 2017 model year marks the return of the Honda Ridgeline after a brief hiatus, and it emerged redesigned entirely. It’s still more car-like than competing mid-sized trucks, but the new Ridgeline has more horsepower and a more robust platform to help better withstand the rigors of towing, hauling, and off-roading.

Key Details

• Mid-size pickup truck body style
• Two-row seating for up to five passengers
• Redesigned for the 2017 model year with a more traditional truck-like appearance
• Unibody construction with independent rear suspension
• Standard 3.5-liter V6 engine with improved power and efficiency
• Available in both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations
• Innovative features including a dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk

Benefits

• Smooth, car-like ride quality uncommon in the pickup truck segment
• Spacious and comfortable interior with seating for five
• Versatile cargo solutions with the dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk
• Improved fuel efficiency compared to traditional body-on-frame trucks
• Advanced safety features are available through the Honda Sensing suite

Learn More: Which Years Of Used Honda Ridgelines Are Most Reliable?

2017 Honda Ridgeline Overview

Performance

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline offers one engine option

3.5-liter V6 engine:

• 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• Standard FWD with AWD optional

The 3.5-liter V6 in the Ridgeline should be familiar to anyone who’s driven an Odyssey, Pilot, or Passport, but this is no slight. Honda uses this V6 in many vehicles due to its solid power delivery and excellent reliability. AWD configurations of the Ridgeline feature Honda's i-VTM4 (Intelligent Variable Torque Management) system.

Key performance features include:

• 2017 Honda Ridgeline towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs (AWD models)
• Payload capacity of up to 1,584 lbs
• Intelligent traction management system (AWD models)
• Hill start assist
• Active engine mounts for reduced vibration

The Ridgeline's unibody construction and independent rear suspension contribute to its refined driving dynamics and fuel efficiency. While it may not match the towing capacity of some body-on-frame competitors, the Ridgeline offers enough capability for most jobs with a far more refined driving experience.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Ridgeline a top five-star overall safety rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2017 Ridgeline a Top Safety Pick+, its highest designation, when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights.

Standard safety features on all 2017 Honda Ridgeline trims include:

• Vehicle stability assist (VSA) with traction control
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Electronic brake distribution (EBD)
• Advanced compatibility engineering (ACE) body structure
• Rearview camera

Higher trims offer additional safety features through the Honda Sensing suite, which includes:

• Collision mitigation braking system
• Road departure mitigation system
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist

Additional optional safety tech includes:

• Honda LaneWatch blind-spot display
• Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

Driving

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline offers a crossover-like driving experience. Its unibody construction and independent rear suspension provide a smooth, comfortable ride that quickly absorbs road imperfections while also providing precise, predictable handling.

280 horsepower is mid-pack with competitors, but its acceleration is beyond nearly every competitor. Power is plentiful for everyday driving, merging, and passing, and the six-speed automatic transmission provides seamless shifts.

For those who need additional traction, the available AWD system features an Intelligent Traction Management system that allows drivers to optimize vehicle performance for different terrains, including snow, mud, and sand.

Interior

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline interior is an order of magnitude quieter and tech-filled than before. The cabin is spacious, with seating for five adults and high-quality materials.

Key interior features include:

• Tri-zone automatic climate control (on higher trims)
• 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with under-seat storage
• Available leather-trimmed seating
• Ten-way power driver's seat with lumbar support (on higher trims)
• Heated front seats (available)
• The flat floor in the rear allowing for the effortless loading of large items
• Rear seats that fold up to accommodate taller items
• Wide-opening rear doors for easy access

Tailgating and camping are a cinch with the Ridgeline’s innovative dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk. The tailgate can drop down traditionally or swing out like a door, providing flexible access to the bed. The lockable in-bed trunk offers 7.3 cubic feet of secure, weather-tight storage under the bed floor. That trunk even features a drain should you want to fill it with ice.

Technology

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline’s convenience tech makes it a solid trip vehicle or daily driver:

• Five-inch color LCD screen (base trim)
• Available eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with HondaLink
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (on higher trims)
• Available navigation system
• Available 540-watt premium audio system with eight speakers and subwoofer

Additional technology features available on select trims include:

• Push-button start
• Remote engine start
• Tri-zone automatic climate control

The Ridgeline also offers unique technology features for its segment, such as an available in-bed audio system that turns the truck bed into a large speaker, perfect for tailgating or outdoor events.

Fuel Economy

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline offers competitive fuel economy ratings for its class, especially considering its V6 engine. EPA fuel economy estimates are as follows:

3.5-liter V6 engine:

• FWD (mpg): 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined
• AWD (mpg): 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined

2017 Honda Ridgeline Reviews

Consumer reviews on Kelley Blue Book give the 2017 Honda Ridgeline an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5. Owners praise the Ridgeline for its reliability, comfort, quality, and performance.

Reasons to Buy It

• Car-like ride and handling
• Well-appointed interior with excellent material quality
• Innovative cargo solutions (dual-action tailgate, in-bed trunk)
• Available all-wheel drive with terrain management system
• Excellent safety ratings and available Honda Sensing suite
• Competitive fuel economy for its class
• Unique features like the in-bed audio system
• Honda build quality

Problems

• Lower towing capacity compared to some body-on-frame competitors
• Limited off-road capability compared to more rugged rivals
• It may not appeal to buyers seeking a more traditional truck experience
• Higher starting price than some mid-size truck competitors
• Bed size may be smaller than some competitors

Explore: Honda Ridgeline Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

CoPilot's Take

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline is practically in its segment, while other mid-size pickups are pure trucks. Honda gave the Ridgeline enough capability to satisfy the majority of hauling and towing jobs the average person would do but enough refinement to not feel like a downgrade from an SUV or a car as a daily driver.

With its unibody construction and independent rear suspension, the Ridgeline handles and tracks more confidently than other pickups. Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 can move the Ridgeline with enough haste to never feel like a ponderous, lethargic truck.

Its spacious, well-appointed interior rivals many SUVs in terms of comfort and features. Innovative cargo solutions like the dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk add practical functionality that sets the Ridgeline apart from its competitors.

The Ridgeline may not be the best choice for buyers seeking maximum towing capacity or off-road severe capability. While beneficial for on-road comfort, its unibody construction limits its ability to match some body-on-frame rivals' towing and payload capacities.

2017 Honda Ridgeline FAQs

Was 2017 a good year for Honda Ridgeline?

Yes, 2017 was generally considered a good year for the Honda Ridgeline. After a brief hiatus, it marked the model's return and introduced a completely redesigned second generation. The 2017 Ridgeline received numerous accolades, including North American Truck of the Year. It was praised for its comfortable ride, innovative features, and SUV-like comfort with pickup truck utility. The redesign addressed many criticisms of the previous generation while maintaining the unique attributes that set the Ridgeline apart in the mid-size truck segment. The reliability of the 2017 Honda Ridgeline is also generally quite excellent.

Do 2017 Honda Ridgelines have transmission problems?

The six-speed automatic transmission used in this model is generally regarded as reliable. However, some owners have reported occasional hesitation, rough shifting, or jumping during acceleration.

How many miles will a 2017 Honda Ridgeline last?

A 2017 Honda Ridgeline can last 200,000 miles or more with proper maintenance and care.

Does a 2017 Honda Ridgeline have a timing belt or chain?

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline's 3.5-liter V6 engine uses a timing belt, not a chain. Honda recommends replacing the timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on driving conditions.

Check Out: Honda Ridgeline Resale Value: Do They Hold Their Value? What To Know