Honda Odyssey Receives Five-Star Safety Rating From NHTSA
17 March 1999
Honda Odyssey Receives Five-Star Safety Rating From NHTSA
TORRANCE, Calif., March 16 -- The all-new Honda Odyssey minivan has earned the government's highest rating for occupant protection in frontal collisions in tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
NHTSA's NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) tests are based on a frontal impact collision at 35 mph. A five-star rating, NHTSA's maximum, indicates that there is less than a 10 percent chance of front seat occupants experiencing a serious injury in this kind of collision when they are properly wearing their seatbelts.
The Honda Odyssey is the only minivan in its class to offer headrests and three-point seat belts at all seven seating positions. Further, it has been designed to provide optimum collision protection through the use of a box- section frame and 4-ring shell construction. This shell completely encircles the passenger compartment, protecting the occupants in the event of a side impact.
"Earning the five-star NHTSA crash test rating was one of the key development targets for the Honda Odyssey," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The Odyssey was engineered to set new standards and raise the bar in the minivan class."
The Odyssey is the largest Honda ever, powered by a 24-valve, 3.5-liter SOHC VTEC V-6 rated at 210 horsepower, the most powerful engine in the minivan class. Its four-wheel independent suspension provides enhanced ride and handling with better isolation from road noise and vibration. In addition, active safety is enhanced by standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) and a Traction Control System (TCS) on the Odyssey EX.
The Odyssey has been collecting accolades from the automotive press since its introduction in October 1998. Automobile, Car and Driver and Motor Trend magazines have all named the Odyssey the best minivan on the market. Consumers have also reacted strongly, with Odyssey sales up more than 300% since its introduction.
