“I find the Ridgeline to be every bit as good as the reviews I read. It has a quiet, comfortable ride more like a car than a truck. If hauling large loads or pulling heavy trailers, try a full-size truck. Normal to small loads - THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT!!”
2021 Honda Ridgeline: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline gets a meaningful mid-cycle refresh led by tougher exterior styling and standard AWD on every trim. It is an update to the existing second generation, not a ground-up redesign.
About the 2021 Honda Ridgeline
2nd generation Ridgeline (2017-2023), 2021 mid-cycle refresh year
Honda positions the Ridgeline as the pickup for buyers who want real truck usefulness without the harsher feel of a traditional body-on-frame midsize truck. Its identity centers on smart everyday utility: a roomy crew cab, smoother ride from its independent suspension, standard AWD, and signature features like the dual-action tailgate and lockable in-bed trunk. Versus rivals, the Ridgeline stands out more for comfort, clever storage, and easy daily livability than for extreme off-road image.
The 2021 Ridgeline lineup starts with a 280-hp V6, AWD, a dual-action tailgate, a lockable in-bed trunk, and an 8-inch touchscreen. RTL adds leather, heated front seats, a moonroof, and blind-spot monitoring, while RTL-E focuses on technology with navigation, upgraded audio, truck-bed audio, wireless phone charging, and an in-bed power outlet. Black Edition combines the upper-trim equipment with black exterior details, black leather with red accents, and red cabin lighting.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
AWD became standard across the lineup. The previous front-wheel-drive versions of the Sport and RTL were dropped.
Styling
Honda reshaped the front with a new hood, fenders, grille, and lower styling. It also added LED fog lights, updated wheel designs, a refreshed rear bumper, chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets, revised cabin surfaces, and new interior stitching.
Safety
LED low-beam headlights became standard on every trim. RTL gained blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic monitoring.
Tech
The 8-inch touchscreen gained a physical volume knob on every trim. RTL-E and Black Edition gained wireless phone charging, while RTL added an auto-dimming mirror, driver-seat and mirror memory, mirror-mounted turn signals, and illuminated vanity mirrors.
2021 Honda Ridgeline specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | 18 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Horsepower | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp | 280 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 7.3 cu-ft | 7.3 cu-ft | 7.3 cu-ft | 7.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.7 in | 36.7 in | 36.7 in | 36.7 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Alarm System | ||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?
The biggest change is a mid-cycle refresh that gives the 2021 Honda Ridgeline a squarer, more truck-like front end. AWD also became standard across the entire lineup.
Is every 2021 Honda Ridgeline AWD?
Yes. Every 2021 Honda Ridgeline has AWD; the previous front-wheel-drive Sport and RTL versions were dropped.
Was the 2021 Honda Ridgeline fully redesigned?
No. The 2021 Honda Ridgeline received a mid-cycle update within the second generation, not a complete redesign. The changes focus on exterior styling, equipment, and making AWD standard.
What technology changed on the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline’s touchscreen gained a physical volume knob on every trim. RTL-E and Black Edition also gained wireless phone charging.
What changed on the 2021 Honda Ridgeline RTL?
The 2021 Ridgeline RTL gained standard AWD, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic monitoring, an auto-dimming mirror, driver-seat and mirror memory, mirror-mounted turn signals, and illuminated vanity mirrors. It also received the lineup’s refreshed styling and touchscreen volume knob.
2021 Honda Ridgeline Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Honda Ridgeline.
4.3
2021 Honda Ridgeline
(1,381 reviews)
“Can't believe a vehicle that cost this much does not have an audible backup sensor which is a standard safety feature on about all other makes and models or not having any rear seat PowerPoints to charge devices. I suppose if you only pay 46k for a vehicle, the parents probably can't afford to buy their children electronics, so why have a power point in the back seat for them to charge devices?”
“While the towing capacity of this vehicle is only 5,000 pounds, it provides sufficient capacity for me to pull my small camper while giving me a luxurious ride and a cost-effective transportation method.”