Does it feel like you see a lot of black cars on the road? It’s not just a feeling. According to an analysis by iSeeCars.com, approximately 22% of all cars sold are black, making it the second-most common vehicle color after white. Over the centuries, black has represented things like power, wealth, mystery, sophistication, and dark magic—so it’s no surprise that people would want to symbolize those things with their vehicles.
This is just part of the meaning behind a “Black Edition” car. Also known by names like Midnight Edition, Carbon Edition, Blackline Edition, and Blackout, these packages take an existing car and make it even darker. The makeover can include all-black wheels, side mirrors, upholstery, badges, and other accents. Some automakers will add a performance feature or two to bring out the dark side of their steeds.
The Black Edition trend arguably started in the early 2000s, and since then, everything from trucks to compact sedans has gotten the blackout treatment. But which vehicles do it best? I decided to go through the all-black car editions available today and pick my favorites. My choices are based not just on how the vehicles pull off the blackout look but on what they offer for performance—because an elegant look only goes so far without the impressive foundation to match.
#1 – Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Although not technically a blackout edition, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse with a shadow black finish is midnight-ready. Every Dark Horse has 19-inch aluminum wheels with a gloss black finish, a black grille, black badges, and black hood stripes. You also get black seat upholstery, a black leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an optional matching shift knob. The Brembo brake calipers are even black!
Beneath this style is the dark soul of the Ford Performance division. The Mustang Dark Horse surges with a 500 hp Coyote V8 engine and an optional Handling Package that tunes up the aerodynamics and suspension. Many of the added Handling Package features have a dark finish as well, including the front splitter, front tow hooks, rear spoiler, and adjustable strut mounts. The Ford Mustang is one of the most popular pony cars ever made, and the Dark Horse turns things up with more than just a little black paint.
#2 – Volvo S60 Black Edition
If you want to take a high-class sedan and give it a bold edge, the Volvo S60 Black Edition pulls it off with aplomb. Both the standard S60 mild hybrid and the S60 Recharge plug-in hybrid receive black 19-inch wheels plus a gloss black grille, badges, and interior detailing. Owners also receive an Orrefors handmade Swedish crystal shift knob—which isn’t black but sure is elegant. The Black Edition is available with an Onyx Black body color for the all-black outfit or a Crystal White body color if you prefer some contrast.
The S60 is a blackout edition car for a luxury-minded everyday commuter. It gives you 247 hp from its 2.0L turbo-four with advanced infotainment technology, generous legroom, solid fuel mileage, and a refined driving experience. If you’re a sophisticated performance hound, the Volvo S60 Recharge Black Edition is your ride with 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque in an all-wheel drive package. Make sure to check out the Volvo XC60 Black Edition for the same dark style in SUV form.
#3 – Honda Pilot Black Edition
All-black isn’t just for cars. The 2025 Honda Pilot midsize crossover SUV sees the return of the Black Edition, which was previously offered from 2020 to 2022. The Black Edition takes the automaker’s Crystal Black Pearl body finish and adds many other blackout touches, including 20-inch gloss black wheels (plus matching lug nuts), side mirrors, window trim, garnishes, and front grill. The black leather seat upholstery, door panels, and steering wheel have exclusive red stitching, and there are Black Edition badges on the inside and outside.
As the highest trim in the Pilot lineup, the Black Edition also gets the best Honda can offer for performance and comfort. While the 285 hp engine and 10-speed automatic transmission are the same on all Pilots, the Black Edition is loaded with seven driving modes, red interior lighting, a nine-inch infotainment screen, a head-up display, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and a multi-view camera system, among other features. This is a modern eight-seat crossover SUV that also is bold and beautiful.
#4 – Nissan Titan Midnight Edition
The 2024 Nissan Titan is the swan song for this full-size pickup after 21 years, and Nissan is paying homage by giving it a limited-availability Midnight Edition package. It takes the SV trim and adds an assortment of black accents, including the wheels, door handles, extendable towing mirrors, front grille, and headliner. The interior trim is sleek charcoal metallic, and the Midnight Edition emblem is plastered on the body and floor mats.
Nissan also gives the Titan Midnight Edition some added goodies. The 20-inch wheels are two inches larger than the SV wheels for better handling. Many features that are optional or unavailable on the Titan SV become standard on the Midnight Edition, including all-LED exterior lights, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear USB charging ports, and WiFi hotspot capability. It’s another case of the all-black design being for more than show.
#5 – Toyota Crown Nightshade Edition
Many Toyota vehicles have received the Nightshade prescription, including the Corolla, Camry, Highlander, and Tundra. My favorite, though, is the incoming 2025 Toyota Crown full-size hybrid sedan. It’s an extension of the Toyota Crown Limited trim with black upholstery, exterior trim, and badges. Also, unlike the other Nightshade sedans that have bronze wheels, the Crown Nightshade gets black wheels—21-inch, 10-spoke matte black wheels, to be exact. Toyota’s standard black finish gives it the all-black vibe, though you can get the Nightshade Edition with a dark gray Storm Cloud finish if you prefer.
Basing the Nightshade Edition on the Crown Limited means an excellent combination of power, efficiency, and tech. The powertrain consists of a hybrid 2.5L inline-four engine, electronic continuously variable transmission, and standard AWD to deliver 236 hp while getting an EPA-estimated 41 MPG combined. Owners also receive a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, an 11-speaker JBL sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and quad-LED headlights. It’s a great blackout car for someone who wants some size without going the SUV route.
Go All-Black for Your Next Ride
With so many black cars on the road, a Black Edition will help your vehicle stand out if you want to go this color route. In many cases, that noticeability extends to performance. A Black Edition car will cost more—for example, the Toyota Crown Nightshade Edition has a sticker price of almost $3,000 more than the Toyota Crown Limited—but it can certainly be worth the investment, whether for the added features or the more distinct look and personality.
Remember that in addition to the options I’ve talked about here, many other automakers periodically offer blackout packages, including Audi, Porsche, Kia, and Mitsubishi. Even if an automaker doesn’t offer an official blackout package or trim, car buyers can sometimes create a similar design by choosing specific options for body paint, wheels, accents, and seats. Explore all the options and discover how going all-black can transform your vehicle.
