Honda Odyssey Captures Top IIHS Safety Award
The 2018 model, which includes a high-performing automatic braking system, qualifies for the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Photo of Honda Odyssey courtesy of Honda.

Photo of Honda Odyssey courtesy of Honda.
The redesigned 2018 Honda Odyssey minivan has won the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the organization said.
To qualify for the top safety honor, the Odyssey maintained its top ratings of “good” in all IIHS crashworthiness tests. But the 2018 model is available with a high-performing automatic braking system and acceptable headlights, according to IIHS. Those new attributes elevated the minivan to Top Safety Pick+ status this year.
Honda's Collision Mitigation System is included in the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver assistance technologies. Honda Sensing is now standard on EX and above trims, accounting for 99% of 2018 Odyssey sales, according to Honda.
To earn a 2017 Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must garner the highest possible rating of “good” in all five crashworthiness tests: small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints. The vehicle also must draw an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention and an “acceptable” or “good” rating for headlights.
The 2017 Odyssey was available only with optional forward collision warning, earning the minivan a “basic” rating for front crash prevention. The headlights weren’t evaluated.
In contrast, the 2018 model’s optional front crash prevention system earned a “superior” rating from IIHS. In the institute’s track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph, an Odyssey equipped with the system avoided collisions, IIHS said. The system also has a forward collision-warning component that meets criteria from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Odyssey’s Elite and Touring trim lines earned an “acceptable” rating for their LED reflector headlights. The two trims include high-beam assist — a feature that automatically switches between high beams and low beams, depending on the presence of other vehicles.
Headlights on other trim lines, however, drew a “marginal” or “poor” rating from IIHS.
In related news, the Odyssey has also drawn a five-star overall vehicle score in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The vehicle scored five stars in the frontal crash tests for driver and passenger, five stars for side crash tests for both front and rear seats and pole, and four stars in the rollover test.
More Safety

Managing Road Risk at Scale: Why Fleet Safety Needs a Data-Driven Framework
Insights from the FIA Road and Driver Safety Indexes reveal how to manage road risk on a larger scale.
Read More →
Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk
Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.
Read More →
Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It
AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.
Read More →
How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety
During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.
Read More →
Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award
Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention
Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.
Read More →
NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
