2011 Odyssey has Zero Driver Deaths, Pilot has a Few

In a recent study on driver death rates conducted by the IIHS, the Honda Odyssey was one of nine vehicles to have zero recorded deaths per million registered vehicles. The research looked at 2011 model year vehicles. The IIHS attributes the decline in crash-related deaths to improved safety design and safety technology.

“This is a huge improvement in just three years, even considering the economy’s influence,” David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer, said on the organization’s website. “We know from our vehicle ratings program that crash test performance has been getting steadily better. These latest death rates provide new confirmation that real-world outcomes are improving, too.”

Beyond the nine vehicles that had zero fatalities, the Honda Pilot four-wheel drive was the next best with two driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. These crashes were single-vehicle. The 2015 Honda Odyssey was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for receiving good ratings across the board. The IIHS highlights these Honda Odyssey safety features: side airbags, rollover sensor, electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and daytime running lights. Here’s a look at all of the 2015 Honda Odyssey safety features.

Related: Honda Odyssey Tops IIHS Safety List

Honda Odyssey Safety Features

There are several standard Honda Odyssey safety features including a rearview camera and different methods for assisted braking.

• Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control This system detects oversteer and understeer and works to correct it by braking individual wheels and/or reducing throttle.
• Anti-Lock Braking System The brakes are pulsed to prevent wheel lockup and to help the driver maintain control during hard braking.
• Electronic Brake Distribution Braking is balanced between the front and rear wheels during dynamic loading.
• Brake Assist Additional pressure is applied during emergency braking.
• Rearview Camera with Guidelines The rearview camera provides additional visibility when you need to see what is behind you. The EX-L with navigation, Touring, and Touring Elite models have a multi-angle rearview camera with guides. Additional views provide even more clarity.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System The pressure in all four tires is monitored by this system and if one tire is significantly low, the system will alert you.
• Daytime Running Lights These lights help make the Odyssey more visible to other drivers.

Additionally, the EX-L, Touring, and Touring Elite models have a forward collision warning, lane departure warning and HondaLane Watch. The forward collision warning consists of a camera that is mounted on the top of the front windshield. If the system determines that a forward collision is imminent, the system will alert you via audio and visual cues. The lane departure warning utilizes the same camera on the front windshield to determine if your Odyssey is drifting between lanes without your indicator on. HondaLane Watch utilizes a small camera that is under the passenger-side mirror. The camera displays what is in your blind spot on your i-MID screen. The Touring Elite model features a blind spot information system. The system will alert you if there is a vehicle in your blind spot when you indicate to make a lane change.

Related: 2015 Honda Odyssey on list of 5 Fuel-Efficient MPVs

Passive Safety Features

Passive safety features on the Odyssey include a series of airbags, the LATCH system, and other safety features.

• Advanced Compatibility Engineering Body Structure This Honda-exclusive body design distributes crash energy more evenly in frontal collisions.
• Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags These airbags will only deploy in the event of a sufficient front impact and they will inflate at different rates based on the severity of the crash.
• SmartVent Front Side Airbags These airbags will inflate quickly if the front passengers are not in the airbags’ intended deployment path. If the occupants are, the airbag will vent before fully inflating to help prevent an airbag-related injury.
• Three-Row Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor In a side-impact collision or rollover, the side airbags will deploy.
• Driver’s and Front Passenger’s Active Head Restraints These headrests move forward and up in the event of a rear-end collision. This helps reduce the chance of a neck injury.
• 3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions
• Front 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System In the event of a sudden stop or impact, the seat belt will tighten across the occupant’s lap and chest.
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) The Odyssey has lower anchors to further secure car seats. The EX and above models have five anchors; three in the second-row and two in the third row.
• Driver’s and Front Passenger’s Seat Belt Reminder
• Child-Proof Rear Door Locks

Call Fisher Honda in Boulder, Colo., at 303-245-6417 to test drive the IIHS Top Safety Pick 2015 Honda Odyssey and see Honda Odyssey safety features. View our inventory of the 2015 Honda Odyssey .