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What is the best year for a used Ridgeline RTL-E? 2021, 2022, or 2023?

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3.7K views 19 replies 8 participants last post by  ATL RL  
#1 ·
I'm primarily comparing options between 2021 2022, and if I can find any examples of 2023 and 2024. I am hoping to get one before the end of this year. The Ridgeline will be used as a mover of wood, plants, heavy things, and daily trips to the beach this summer with the pups. I plan to tow a landscape trailer from time to time as I work on rehabbing a house this summer.

Anyone have thoughts on differences between 21, 22, 23, and 24? I know the facelift happened in 2024, but my budget is 25k, I have a DD, and I don't want to buy a new one until the third generation comes out.
 
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#2 ·
My thoughts are to find one with a known history....low or average miles....and is a CPO vehicle.....OR have the dealer make it a CPO vehicle as part of the negotiations.

21/22/23 are basically identical.....21 was the major facelift in order to look more rugged.

3.5 vtec.......9 speed is in all 3 of them.

Others will have to chime in on recalls, TSB's etc.

My '23 only has the camera harness recall.

There is also a TSB for trucks operated in cold climates during long trips......water accumulates in/near a PCV hose and the intake manifold....causes a temporary stall with no codes.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Awesome, thanks for this @ATL RL. I'll try to hone in on a CPO. Good call.

We've had four Hondas/Acuras in the past, along with many family & friend's cars. I've missed the VTEC platform.

As for colors, I'm leaning towards Gray, White, or Silver. But would be happy with Black or Dark Blue too.
 
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#4 ·
I would buy whichever one you are able to find for your budget. If your budget is 25k all in, it is going to be a challenge, especially for CPO. I shopped them for about two months late this past summer and never saw one 2020+ at 25K or less unless it was extremely high miles or not cared for at all with a crash history. I ended up with a CPO 2020 RTL-E with well documented history, maintenance records, and very low miles for around 30k all in
 
#5 ·
Good to know, thx @p220sigman! Congrats on the ride, how has it been the last few months?

I concur it will be a slog, though i'm casting my net from the east coast to the mid-west. I have bought four cars this way over the last ten years - three I did not see in person until I flew in to test drive and sign paperwork! It helps that three were CPOs, so less to worry about. I have been waiting to buy one for the last two years, so let's see if I can find one and someone who wants to make a sale. Wish me luck. Thanks for the feedback!
 
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#6 ·
I love the RL. It rides so well. I was originally shopping for a full-sized truck as it was to be our only vehicle, but my wife had concerns over driving a full-sized truck and really wanted an SUV. The RL was a great solution to both of our needs/wants. I don't want to call it a compromise, because I don't feel that it is. It will do everything I wanted a truck for and will fit the bill for her. She loves driving it as well. She commented the other day that she likes the way it drives better than our van that is now our around-town only vehicle. I wasn't too concerned about specific year model other than it had to be 2020 or newer because I wanted the 9 speed transmission. For me, the 2020 I bought was the best overall value taking price, mileage, and history into consideration.

I shop for vehicles the same way as you do. I didn't see/drive this RL until we showed up to sign the papers. It was exactly as represented by the dealership and the whole process was very smooth and painless (other than having a car payment now). The biggest pain is having to weed through the dealerships that want to play games. I had one that would not nail down an out-the-door price (no trade so nothing to evaluate) without us coming in. The dealership was almost 500 miles away! The dealership I ended up buying from was about 200 miles away.
 
#7 ·
Sounds to me by your description that you might be taxing the limit of the best mid-size truck in the marketplace. Sure, the RL could & is an excellent midrange hauler & performer. But again, it sounds like you are really describing chores & abilities an F150 or GMC Sierra might do easier.
…..”heavy things..& a landscape trailer” might push your RL over the limit….I would err on the side of caution in thinking that you might be asking too much…..
 
#8 ·
Hatman1793 said:
Sounds to me by your description that you might be taxing the limit of the best mid-size truck in the marketplace. Sure, the RL could & is an excellent midrange hauler & performer. But again, it sounds like you are really describing chores & abilities an F150 or GMC Sierra might do easier.
…..”heavy things..& a landscape trailer” might push your RL over the limit….I would err on the side of caution in thinking that you might be asking too much…..
Click to expand...
Haha. No way. The Ridgeline can certainly handle the occasional trailer and hauling use. I'm not going to buy a F150 or a Sierra.
 
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#9 ·
I was just in your shoes this past month. I started with 2020 for the 9spd transmission. Then i moved up to at least the RTL. The jump from Sport to RTL and above was really worth it for the tech and comfort features.

Once we made the decision to go low miles sub 50k. 2021-2022 was only $1k-$2k difference. Weirdly we found 21 RTL-E, 22 RTL-E and 23 RTL all listed at the same price and ended up with 23 RTL from Carmax.

Neither of the dealers would come down at all and had more fees than Carmax. We ended up paying $1K less OTD. Even now I dont see any 23 available at what we paid so we feel we got a solid deal.
 
#11 ·
Right now i'm looking at two nearly identical ones with the key difference of 24k miles on the clock and a $4k price difference. How much value does a lower odometer count?
 
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#13 ·
To me, it would depend on exactly how "nearly identical" they actually are; and what the mileage of each is (not just the difference.
This because IF for example, They are both 2023 RTL-Es & #1 is at 12k miles and #2 is at 36k, Then #1 has remaining "Bumper-to-Bumper" warranty that #2 does not.
One might also have a cleaner Carfax (no accidents/better service records, etc.) and/or "added equipment" such as Tonneau cover, all-weather floor mats, new tires, etc.
 
#16 ·
If #1 is a 2021, then it'll be at, or close to the end of its B2B warranty by now, and no warranty for #2 either way. One thing I will say is what climate you live in, and how that might affect potential rust concerns.


I'll throw my hat into the ring, and say if you don't mind the look, a 2020 MY might be worth considering as it still have the 9-speed, but not different front end, or dual exhaust tips to name a couple. I was looking to get a 2021 myself because of the updated look, but found out the 2020 was still suitable for my needs, and the front end doesn't bother me. It actually looks distinctive if you ask me.
 
#17 ·
Yes, warranty will be zero. Precisely why i'm looking at ones from the South. I am in the East Coast and will be mostly between countryside, city, and the beach.
 
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#19 ·
RTL-E for me. I don’t like the BE seats and color combos. They are nice, I just prefer the understated simplicity of the RTL-E interior.
 
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