Torrance, Calif. 05/09/2005 -- The 2006 Honda Ridgeline has earned a 5-Star safety rating for both frontal and side impact crash test performance from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), American Honda Motor Co., announced today. The Ridgeline, Honda's first truck, is the first ever 4-door pickup to earn the government's highest crash test safety rating.

Honda has six vehicles - more than any other vehicle brand - that achieve a top rating for both frontal and side impacts under the federal government's NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) program. They are the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, Element, Civic Coupe with front side air bags, CR-V, Pilot.

"Consumers don't want to sacrifice safety for performance, functionality or fuel efficiency," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. " The Ridgeline's unique design allows us to deliver on all fronts with great safety, class leading fuel economy and tremendous truck capability along with a fun-to-drive element unmatched in the pickup truck segment.

Completely new for the 2006 model year, the Ridgeline's integrated full-frame body structure is designed to help protect its occupants while reducing the effect of crash energy on opposing vehicles for improved compatibility with smaller vehicles. The Ridgeline, like most Honda vehicles sold today, is also equipped with an array of pedestrian safety features such as breakaway windshield wiper pivots; and energy-absorbing hood structure and hinges.

In keeping with Honda's industry-leading "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all Ridgeline model come equipped with a comprehensive list of advanced safety features including dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control; side curtain airbags with rollover sensor; driver's and front passenger's side airbags (passenger side airbag with Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) to prevent airbag deployment when a child or small stature adult is in the deployment path); anti-lock brakes; and electronic brake assist.