Ready to run away from the daily grind and all things ordinary? With warmer weather and longer days in the forecast, there is no time like the present to plan your next great escape. Fortunately, Honda has released the second generation of its mid-size pickup truck model: the 2017 Honda Ridgeline.
Popular enough when it was first released, the Ridgeline hasn’t been sold since 2014. But now it’s back and better than ever, especially when you consider the especially badass Black Edition. Sure, it’s MSRP of $42,970 might make you go pale, but the Black Edition’s bells and whistles are worth every penny.
Celebrated for comfort, a smooth ride, and unmatched handling, this pickup shares the same unibody design as the SUV segment, making it an ideal competitor for the family-friendly set. Whether you’re traveling with your squad or embarking on your adventures solo, the high-end Honda Ridgeline Black Edition model demands your attention.
The Black Edition Honda Ridgeline
As if a redesign for 2017 wasn’t enough, Honda took things one step further and created a Black Edition of the Ridgeline, characterized by a Crystal Black exterior, perforated leather interior (black, obviously), illuminated by red ambient lighting. Easily dubbed “Black Beauty,” this Ridgeline is backed by more horses this year, an extra 30 to be exact, bringing the 2017 Ridgeline’s total horsepower to 280, courtesy of an enhanced 3.5-liter V6 engine.
Operated by a six-speed automatic transmission, supported by a four-wheel drive independent suspension, the Ridgeline is able to tow 5,000 pounds (3,500-pounds on the front-wheel drive), with a maximum payload of 1,584 pounds.
While the AWD system is great for traction, as you’d expect, but this Honda pickup doesn’t boast the same off-road capabilities as its sibling, the Tacoma. However, the driver-select settings with AWD make for easy driving, no matter the condition. Simply shift between Normal, Snow, Mud, or Sand, depending on the terrain, and your Ridgeline will see you to the other side safely.
Speaking of safe, the Ridgeline is strengthened and supported by all of Honda’s passive and active safety features, providing a secure ride for a maximum of five passengers. Although the pickup truck segment is usually lauded for impressive fuel efficiency, all seven Ridgeline trim levels (RT, RTS, Sport, RTL, RTL-T, RLT-E, and our beloved Black Edition) return strong fuel economy numbers of 22 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway) from the front-wheel drive configuration and 21 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway) from the all-wheel drive setup.
Wherever you decide to venture this summer, make a statement in the 2017 Ridgeline Black Edition. See for yourself what badass really looks like, thanks to the blacked out exterior and interior, along with this Ridgeline’s imposing presence on the road. Once you take this special edition for a test drive, you’ll be ruined for any other pickup truck model on today’s market. Choose the Ridgeline’s Black Edition…and never look back.
