2021 Honda Ridgeline — Used Buying Guide
5 years old · used value range $15,411 – $23,314 · max towing 5,000 lb · max payload 1,583 lb
The 2021 Ridgeline at a glance
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is a 5-year-old used pickup that originally listed at approximately $42,000 for a base configuration. After 5 years of ownership-cycle depreciation, fair market value for typical-mileage examples lands between $15,411 and $23,314, with low-mileage clean-title trucks pushing toward the upper bound and higher-mileage or salvage-history trucks anchoring the lower bound.
The Ridgeline at this model year was built on the Honda light-duty platform and offered in regular, extended, and crew cab body styles. Maximum trailer towing capability for this year is 5,000 lb when properly equipped (typically requires the optional max tow package and the right axle ratio); maximum payload is 1,583 lb in the lightest cab/bed/drivetrain combination.
Available engines for 2021
| Powertrain | 3.5L i-VTEC V6 (280 hp / 262 lb-ft) |
Configuration options
| Cab options | Crew Cab · Extended Cab · Regular Cab |
| Bed options | 5'7" Short · 6'5" Standard · 8'0" Long |
| Available trims | Sport, RTL, RTL-E, Black Edition, TrailSport |
| Max towing capacity | 5,000 lb (properly equipped) |
| Max payload capacity | 1,583 lb |
EPA fuel economy ranges for this model year
| Powertrain class | City mpg | Highway mpg |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline V6 | 15 | 24 |
| Gasoline V8 | 13 | 21 |
| Diesel | 23 | 32 |
Common issues for the 2021 Ridgeline
- 9-speed automatic occasional rough shifts (TSBs available)
- VCM cylinder deactivation can cause oil dilution in short-trip use
- Bed-trunk drain hoses can clog
Service history matters more on this model year than mileage alone. A 2021 Ridgeline with documented oil changes, transmission services performed at the recommended interval, and any open recalls completed is worth meaningfully more than an undocumented truck of the same mileage. Ask the seller for the maintenance binder; if it does not exist, ask the local Honda dealership to pull the VIN history before you commit to a price.
2021 Ridgeline listings on TruckLot
| Trim & Body | Miles | Price | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrailSport Regular Cab |
38,260 mi | $16,992 | Akron, Ohio |
| RTL-E Regular Cab |
76,547 mi | $16,992 | Newport, Rhode Island |
| RTL-E Crew Cab |
76,335 mi | $18,968 | Peoria, Illinois |
Should you buy a 2021 Ridgeline right now?
The honest answer depends on three variables: how the truck was used, what powertrain it has, and what comparable competitors are listed for in your state. A 2021 Ridgeline with a clean service history, the volume powertrain (avoid first-year-of-production engines unless you have done your homework), and a price near the middle of the $15,411–$23,314 range is usually a sound buy.
If you are cross-shopping the same model year against competitors, our comparison guides work through the trade-offs with real numbers. Diesel premium, towing differences, payload differences, and depreciation curves are all spelled out so you can decide whether the $3,000–$8,000 difference between similar trucks is justified for your use case.