Honda Ridgeline Black Edition Review (2025–)

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition is a refined unibody mid-size pickup that drives like an SUV — best-in-class on-road manners, in-bed trunk, and Honda reliability.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Prices and What Changed for 2026

Kelley Blue Book, updated 20 April 2026, lists prices including destination from $42,290 for the Sport through $49,390 for the Black Edition 2-Tone. Every trim uses a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, a 9-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. Kelley Blue Book also lists the Ridgeline with a towing capacity capped at 5,000 pounds, and describes it as building off the comfortable rides of the Pilot and Passport SUVs with a bed added. EPA combined ratings are 21 mpg for Sport, RTL and Black Edition models, while TrailSport models are rated at 20 mpg combined. That gives the range a common powertrain and drivetrain while leaving a small fuel-economy difference between the TrailSport versions and the other trims.

Kelley Blue Book, updated 20 April 2026, says the 2026 changes include an available black roof for Black Edition trims and an Ash Green Metallic paint option for TrailSport models. It also calls out the Ridgeline's comfortable ride unlike most trucks, versatile bed and tailgate, and roomy interior with flip-up rear seats, while noting that towing capacity is capped at 5,000 pounds.

Vehicle Overview

Key Specifications (Honda Ridgeline Black Edition)

0–60 mph: 7.3s

Exterior Design

Black Edition all-black trim package

In-bed trunk under composite bed

5,000 lb tow rating

18" alloys

Interior, Comfort & Materials

Genuine leather, heated/ventilated front seats

9" touchscreen

Built-in bed audio (Honda Truck Bed Audio System) on Black Edition

Features & Infotainment

Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto

8-speaker premium audio

Honda Sensing 360+

What the IIHS Ratings Say About the 2026 Ridgeline

Our guide to IIHS safety ratings explains what the tiers mean. IIHS, read 28 September 2026, rates the updated moderate overlap front test Poor overall for the 2026 Ridgeline, and the detailed measurements show that rear-passenger protection drives that result. IIHS lists the structure and safety cage as Good, and every listed driver measure is Good: head and neck, chest, thigh and hip, leg and foot, and restraints and dummy kinematics. For the rear passenger, IIHS rates head and neck protection Poor, chest protection Marginal, thigh protection Good, and restraints and dummy kinematics Marginal. IIHS says this test used a 2026 Ridgeline Sport 4-door 4WD and applies to 2025 and 2026 models.

IIHS, read 28 September 2026, rates the headlights Marginal and gives Poor ratings to both front crash prevention vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 and front crash prevention pedestrian. The same IIHS page lists no TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS award for the 2026 model year, and none for 2025. The small overlap front rating remains Acceptable and is based on a 2017 Ridgeline RTL-T crew cab 2WD test vehicle; IIHS says that rating applies to 2017 through 2026 models, with a Good driver-side component and an Acceptable passenger-side component.

Cars.com, read 28 September 2026, lists neither recall campaign as covering the 2026 model year, so these campaigns matter to a buyer considering a used Ridgeline from the affected model years.

Safety & Ratings

Honda Sensing 360+ standard

Driving Performance & Handling

Because it is the only unibody truck in the mid-size class, the Ridgeline's 280 hp V6, 9-speed auto and 7.3-second 0–60 arrive with car-like road manners no body-on-frame rival matches — the flip side being less hardcore off-road ability than a Tacoma or Colorado.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Running Costs at Current Pump Prices

AAA, read 28 September 2026, lists the national average for regular gasoline at $4.4768 a gallon. Using that price with the EPA combined ratings and 12,000 miles a year, arithmetic puts a 21-mpg Ridgeline at about 571 gallons and about $2,559 in annual fuel cost. A 20-mpg TrailSport model works out to about 600 gallons and about $2,686 a year. The difference is roughly $127 annually at that mileage and gasoline price, and both figures move with the pump price — see why gas prices are so high in 2026. These estimates show how the one-mpg combined-rating gap translates into fuel use and cost without adding other ownership expenses.

These figures are arithmetic from the EPA ratings and the AAA national average read on 28 September 2026, not measured fuel consumption. Kelley Blue Book, updated 20 April 2026, lists 21 mpg combined for Sport, RTL and Black Edition models and 20 mpg combined for TrailSport models.

Fuel Efficiency

Practicality & Everyday Usability

Lockable in-bed trunk (7.3 cu ft)

5,000 lb tow rating

Dual-action tailgate (drops or swings open)

Best ride/handling in mid-size pickup class

Warranty & Maintenance

On-Road Price & Value for Money

At $49,100 the Black Edition is priced above where most mid-size trucks start, yet the package is genuinely unique: standard AWD, a lockable 7.3 cu ft in-bed trunk, a dual-action tailgate and a 5,000 lb tow rating. Against the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado, it charges a premium for comfort rather than capability.

2026 Honda Ridgeline vs Toyota Tacoma

Kelley Blue Book, updated 20 April 2026, lists the Ridgeline starting at $42,290, with 280 horsepower and a towing capacity capped at 5,000 pounds. Kelley Blue Book, updated 2 April 2026, lists the Tacoma starting at $34,040, with maximum towing of 6,500 pounds and power ranging from 228 horsepower to 326 horsepower. Its gas models are rated at 21 to 23 mpg combined, while the i-FORCE MAX is rated at 23 mpg combined. Kelley Blue Book lists the Ridgeline at 20 or 21 mpg combined depending on trim, so the Tacoma has the higher listed towing ceiling and reaches the higher listed combined fuel-economy figure.

What the Ridgeline gives up is clear in the listed capability figures: Kelley Blue Book, updated 20 April 2026, caps towing at 5,000 pounds, while Kelley Blue Book, updated 2 April 2026, lists the Tacoma at up to 6,500 pounds. In return, Kelley Blue Book calls out the Ridgeline's comfortable ride unlike most trucks, versatile bed and tailgate, and roomy interior with flip-up rear seats. The Tacoma also starts at a lower listed price, while the Ridgeline uses the same 280-horsepower V6, 9-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive across every trim.

Comparison with Rivals

Key competitors include the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado.

The Tacoma and Ranger are more truck-like and capable off-road. The Ridgeline is the comfort and on-road champion — and the only unibody mid-size truck.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Best on-road manners in mid-size truck class

Innovative in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate

5,000 lb tow rating

Honda reliability

Cons

Less off-road capable than body-on-frame rivals

Lower towing than Tacoma TRD Pro

Polarizing styling

Overall Rating

4.3 / 5 — the most comfortable way to own a mid-size truck bed, with clever storage no rival offers; docked for off-road and towing limits versus body-on-frame competitors and styling that divides opinion.

Final Verdict

The 2025 Ridgeline Black Edition is the truck for the buyer who doesn't actually need a truck. Comfortable, sensible, and uniquely useful.

Specifications, prices and equipment were current at publication and vary by model year, trim and market. Verify final details with a franchised dealer before ordering. Read how we review cars and our editorial policy.