The Honda Ridgeline hasn’t been on the market as long as most of its competitors, but it has quickly become regarded as one of the best choices. It may not be the best workhorse because of its small size, but it has an upscale interior and a good engine. Consumer Reports praised the truck for having the best safety ratings in its class.

One thing that steers buyers away from the Ridgeline is its high base price. A regular model costs almost $30,000. If you want the most features and the best engine, you can buy the Black Edition for $43,420. Let’s look at the specs from the most expensive Honda Ridgeline.

Interior/exterior styling

On the outside, the Black Edition gets a few unique features to set it apart from the base trim. It comes in an exclusive Crystal Black Pearl color, black chrome accents, and sports 18-inch black alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin, passengers have premium leather seats with red stitching. Red LED lights can be found in the cupholders, the center console, and other areas in the cabin. Heating is standard for both the front seats and the steering wheel. The seats are also power-adjustable and highly supportive. The backseat isn’t cramped either, so every passenger will be able to stretch their limbs during long car rides. 

Engine

The standard engine for the Black Edition is a V6 3.5-liter engine capable of 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine and the transmission work excellently together, giving drivers easy shifts and a lot of power. It can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which isn’t bad for a compact truck.

This engine also features Honda’s Variable Torque Management AWD system. This system allows the front wheels to seamlessly supply power to the rear wheels with more traction. This gives drivers better handling during tough weather conditions or during off-roading. It also comes with a larger transmission cooler to enhance its towing power.

Safety features

The Ridgeline’s impressive safety scores have made it a popular truck among critics and families. The base Honda already has many standard safety functions, but you get the most with the Black Edition’s Honda Sensing suite. This driver assistance technology package includes lane departure mitigation, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and collision mitigation braking.

The Honda LaneWatch camera is also included, which is a blind-spot monitor on the passenger-side door. Parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert also come standard. For added security, this trim features SmartEntry, which automatically locks your doors when you step eight feet away from the truck.

Infotainment

Like most modern trucks, the Ridgeline has an impressive infotainment setup. The Black Edition comes with an 8-inch touchscreen with a built-in navigation system, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility, a rearview camera, Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports and charging outlets. Drivers can also enjoy climate control, a moonroof, and an impressive 540-watt 8-speaker audio system.

Towing

The Ridgeline has one of the lowest towing capacities in its class with only 5,000 pounds, but it also has a maximum payload of nearly 1,500 pounds. It has one of the most functional cargo beds compared to its rivals. It’s easier to load or unload equipment thanks to the tailgate that can swing outward in addition to being folded down.

The cargo box is on the smaller side, measuring 5-foot-four-inches long. However, it’s also four feet wide, so drivers shouldn’t have too much trouble loading long items into the bed. It’s made with a reinforced composite and even features a built-in audio system.