Yes. The 2017 Ridgeline marked Honda's revival of its midsize pickup, delivering a comfortable ride, clever cargo features, and practical everyday usability that earned solid reviews and helped rebuild interest in the model.
This article examines how Honda reshaped the Ridgeline for model year 2017, what critics and buyers thought, and whether the refreshed truck met the demands of a competitive market.
Resurrection of a unique pickup
The 2017 update centered on a redesigned, unibody platform and a range of practical features that set the Ridgeline apart from traditional body-on-frame rivals. Key technical and feature highlights include:
- New unibody architecture with independent suspension for a smoother ride vs. typical pickups.
- 3.5-liter V6 producing around 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
- 9-speed automatic transmission (with all-wheel drive available).
- In-bed trunk (7.3 cubic feet) providing lockable, drainable storage under the bed.
- Dual-action tailgate for easier loading and access to the bed.
- Payload around 1,500 to 1,600 pounds and towing up to 5,000 pounds.
- Comfort-oriented interior with modern infotainment options and available driver-assistance features.
Together, these improvements gave the Ridgeline a distinct usability proposition in a crowded segment, prioritizing everyday practicality over brute capability.
Critical and buyer reception
Reviewers praised the Ridgeline for ride quality, interior room, and clever cargo features, but many noted it faced trade-offs in off-road capability and price. The following summarizes the consensus and notable opinions:
- Ride and interior comfort: Car-like ride, quiet cabin, and roomy rear seats.
- Practical features: In-bed storage, versatility of the bed, and convenient packaging.
- Off-road capability: Not intended for serious off-roading; best suited for on-road use and light work.
- Pricing and value: Higher starting price compared with some rivals, with potential depreciation considerations.
- Safety and technology: Strong safety features in higher trims, with improved infotainment options; some buyers wanted more standard advanced features sooner.
The overall reception honored Honda for delivering a comfortable, versatile pickup that could serve as a daily driver and light-duty work truck, while acknowledging that it did not match niche off-road trucks in capability or price competitiveness in all configurations.
Sales performance and market impact
In terms of sales and market impact, the Ridgeline's 2017 year signaled a revival in interest, though it remained a niche player versus segment leaders like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger (now rejoined). The following points summarize the market performance:
- Sales trajectory: Initial year sales reflected renewed interest; Honda reported improved demand versus the previous Ridgeline generation.
- Segment positioning: Emphasized practicality and on-road comfort, attracting buyers who prioritized daily usability over rugged towing specs.
- Competition: Faced a competitive field where many buyers weighed brand reliability, payload, and resale value.
- Honda's brand strategy: Leveraged the Ridgeline's unique value proposition to broaden Honda's pickup lineup and brand perception in the U.S.
Overall, 2017 positioned the Ridgeline as a credible alternative in the midsize truck segment, helping Honda establish a foothold with a fresh design and features that appealed to a broad audience beyond traditional pickup buyers.
Bottom line
For 2017, the Ridgeline delivered on Honda's goals of practicality, comfort, and innovation in a midsize pickup, making it a good year for the model's revival. It may not have topped the sales charts, but it earned credibility and widened the segment's possibilities.
Summary
In summary, 2017 was a successful comeback year for the Honda Ridgeline. It introduced a refined, unibody pickup with family-friendly interior space and innovative cargo solutions, earned positive critical reception, and reinvigorated interest in Honda’s truck lineup—even as it navigated a competitive market and pricing considerations. The model established a clear identity focused on practicality and daily usability, setting the stage for its ongoing presence in the midsize truck segment.
What is the recall on the 2017 Honda Ridgeline engine?
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
What year to stay away from Ridgeline?
The Worst Years for the Honda Ridgeline
If you're buying a Honda Ridgeline, these are the model years to avoid: 2006. 2007. 2008.
What's the best year to buy a used Honda Ridgeline?
Many buyers consider the 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021 Honda Ridgeline model years to be among the best options. These models offer updated technology, robust safety features, and improved design over earlier generations while maintaining excellent long-term reliability.
How reliable are 2017 Honda Ridgelines?
As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's reliability and comfort to be its strongest features and styling to be its weakest. 112 out of 138 of owners (81% of them) rank the 2017 Ridgeline five out of five stars. Overall, consumers seem aligned in their opinions of the 2017 Honda Ridgeline.