38/100
2021Standard Pickup Trucks 4WDRegular

2021 Honda Ridgeline AWD

EPA ID: 43723
18
City MPG
21
Combined MPG
21MPG· Average
24
Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline AWD achieves an EPA-estimated 21 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine paired with a automatic (s9), this standard pickup trucks 4wd features All-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 2021 Ridgeline AWD produces approximately 441 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Ridgeline AWD has higher-than-average emissions in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $2,850, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $3,500 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel TypeRegular
Engine3.5L 6-cyl
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
TransmissionAutomatic (S9)
Drive TypeAll-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions441 g/mi
Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped
GHG Score4/10
Smog RatingN/A
Est. Annual Cost$2,850
5-Year Cost DeltaSave $3,500

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG
20.3
Impact vs EPA
+$89
/ year
💨

The Brick Effect: Highway Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Because the Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD has a large frontal area, expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by up to 25% at high speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost
$685/mo
Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.
15,000 mi
Value Depreciation
Est. value lost over 60 months
$16,800
40.9%
Fuel & Electricity
Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)
$12,500
30.4%
Estimated Insurance
Based on vehicle class risk profile
$11,400
27.7%
State Registration Fees
Based on National Average DMV base rates
$400
1.0%
Total 5-Year Cost$41,100

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #24V321000·2024-11-08
critical
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.

Campaign #24V064000·2024-03-28
critical
Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

Campaign #23V174000·2024-01-17
critical
Component: VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.

Campaign #23V458000·2023-08-07
critical
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Campaign #21V900000·2022-01-14
critical
Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Loading live complaint data...

Looking for comprehensive historical data?

NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crash History) and broader generational safety trends are aggregated at the model level rather than by specific engine configurations. View the complete historical data profile for all Honda Ridgeline AWD configurations.

View Model History

Similar 2021 Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD Alternatives

Fuel Cost Analysis

Annual Fuel Cost$2,850
vs. Avg Vehicle (5 yrs)Save $3,500

Based on 15,000 miles/year and current fuel prices.

Efficiency Breakdown

City18 MPG
Highway24 MPG
Combined21 MPG

Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

88.2 metric tons CO₂
Equivalent To:
🌳 109 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs
✈️ 7.3 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.