For decades, Honda drivers have known their vehicles were in it for the long haul. With a reputation for reliability, dependability and a nonsense-free ownership experience, Honda is a Japanese automaker that has been a Canadian favourite for years.

 

Recently, two of the brand’s popular family haulers received recognition from the Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) for residual values. In the latest iteration of ALG’s Residual Value Awards, both the 2012 Honda CR-V crossover and 2012 Honda Odyssey minivan earned the highest marks in their respective categories. In addition to the reliable performance, safety and peace of mind represented by these two recently-updated vehicles, the ALG awards reinforce the fact that they represent tremendous long-term value.

 

The ALG Residual Value Awards are handed out annually, recognizing vehicles that retain the highest percentage of their original price after a three-year period. Awards are given in 19 vehicle categories and two brand categories. The ALG is a recognized industry authority in forecasting residual values, and their awards are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance, industry trends, and economic conditions. Vehicle quality, pricing, marketing efforts and other factors all come into play as well.

 

“These awards are a testament to the quality and reliability that customers have come to expect from Honda,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. “Odyssey and CR-V play very important roles in the lives of many Canadians and these awards should reassure our customers of the investment they are making when choosing Honda.”  

 

Both the CR-V and Odyssey were recently overhauled to offer more styling, features and safety to shoppers in the new vehicle market. With family-friendly operation in mind, both offer a full suite of standard safety features, plenty of flexibility and the latest in connectivity.

 

The Odyssey is a minivan designed for Canadian families, featuring flexible seating and dual sliding doors. A recent redesign of the popular model has added a unique new look, more interior space and more features and utility than ever before. Featuring a proven 3.5-litre V6 engine, the Odyssey utilizes a “Variable Cylinder Management” system to help owners save fuel during gentle driving. The Odyssey is also noted for packing a surprising level of interior space into its carefully-designed cabin.

 

Geoff Helby, Canada Regional Director for ALG, comments on the Odyssey’s win in the MPV category:

 

“Honda has kept incentives and fleet penetration to a minimum on the Odyssey, which is a rolling showcase of emerging technology and smart packaging. Always versatile, the Odyssey can transform from upscale family transporter to voluminous cargo carrier in a matter of seconds.”

 

The Ontario-built CR-V is a compact 5-seat sport utility crossover with available All Wheel Drive (AWD). For 2012, various fuel efficiency tweaks were added to the CR-V, along with its new look and features. Designed to battle a large array of competitors from around the globe, the CR-V is largely cross-shopped with models like the Ford Escape and Volkswagen Tiguan. All models get an aluminum four cylinder VTEC engine with 185 horsepower.

 

Helby notes, “With improved styling and feature-rich content, the redesigned CR-V provides a strong value proposition for consumers. In a hyper-competitive segment, adding competitive features and drivetrain to an already class-leading vehicle and the strength of the Honda brand deliver great value for consumers.”

 

Looking for a proven family hauler with excellent residual value? The 2012 Honda CR-V and Odyssey are available for test drives now.