Honda’s Odyssey minivan is a sure-fire bet for reliable, safe and efficient family transportation with an eye for utility and flexibility. Recently re-styled and re-engineered, the Japanese brand’s family hauler is available for test-drives now.

 

“The all-new Odyssey is set to once again redefine the minivan segment as the benchmark of minivans,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. “Never before has so much space, functionality and comfort been combined with this much style, safety, advanced technology and fuel economy all in a fun-to-drive package.”

 

The model has earned a strong reputation and numerous accolades for long-term reliability and owner satisfaction, and it has been busily collecting awards from industry authorities.

 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), for instance, recently gave the Odyssey their “Top Safety Pick” rating. After destroying numerous copies of the minivan in private crash-testing sessions, the Institute called the 2012 Odyssey one of the safest minivans on the road. Safety is ingrained in the development of each and every Honda model, which is why 11 other vehicles in the automaker’s 2012 lineup were also awarded ‘Top Safety Pick’ ratings.

The Odyssey also garnered top marks in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, achieving a ‘five-star’ score. This makes the Odyssey the first and only minivan to earn the highest possible safety ratings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

 

The Odyssey also received a “Top Value Rating” from Automotive Lease Guide (ALG), alongside the Honda Fit. This award references the Odyssey’s ability to retain the highest percentage of its purchase price over a three-year period. This year’s win from the ALG maintains the Odyssey’s top position from last year. Since 2001, the Honda brand has earned 24 model awards and six overall brand awards from ALG.

 

"We are delighted to receive two Residual Value Awards from ALG for the Fit and the Odyssey," said John Mendel, executive VP of sales for American Honda. "From the smallest to the largest, Honda vehicles are designed to provide class-leading quality, feature content and value to our customers."

Just like safety, long-term value is a Honda priority. Both are important to today’s family-oriented shoppers.

 

And if family-motivated factors are bringing you to your Honda dealership for a test-drive of the 2012 Odyssey, you will be happy to know it was also called one of the year’s “Smartest Family Cars’ in the February 2012 issue of Parenting magazine. Key in the Odyssey’s recognition from Parenting is the utilization of numerous technologies that help ease the load of managing the modern family.

 

Parenting editors say the Odyssey allows parents and kids to take advantage of some of the smartest automotive features on the market.

 

Some examples include a panoramic split-screen rear entertainment system, voice-commanded navigation system, power sliding doors and a space-optimized cabin. The Odyssey is full of innovative touches to make travelling with the family a little easier, including a trash bag ring, third-row Magic Seat bench storage and a power, remote-activated liftgate. A ‘cool box’ is also on board to chill beverages and snacks, and a household power outlet is present to recharge toys while on the go.

 

The list of thoughtful, family-ready features is a lengthy one. Your sales representative has more details and would love to set you and yours up with a test-drive today.