TORRANCE, CA – 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 on May 9. The Ridgeline, Honda’s first truck, is the first 4-door pickup to earn the government’s highest crash test safety rating. Honda has six vehicles 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 Ridgeline, Odyssey, Element, Civic Coupe with front side airbags, CR-V, and Pilot. 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. All Ridgeline model come equipped with 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.