Safety is the highest priority for family minivan buyers. Many modern family haulers are equipped with advanced safety technology, but the recently refreshed 2021 Honda Odyssey is now officially the safest minivan on the market. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently tested the popular minivan to destruction in a series of crash tests, awarding the new Odyssey with a 2020 Top Safety Pick+. This is the first time a minivan has been awarded a 2020 Top Safety Pick+ rating and is also the only minivan to receive a top rating for the ease of use of its latch cheat seat attachment.

As standard, the 2021 Odyssey is equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety assists, including a collision mitigation braking system with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

During vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian avoidance tests, the minivan's crash prevention system earned "Superior" ratings. The Japanese automaker has a stellar safety reputation right now, as the Odyssey is one of seven Honda models that have earned 2020 Top Safety Pick ratings or higher by the IIHS.

According to the IIHS, other factors that helped the new Odyssey achieve the highest safety rating is Honda's rigid Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure designed to protect occupants in a variety of frontal collisions and advanced supplemental restraint systems. To qualify for a 2020 Top Safety Pick+ award, the IIHS requires cars to earn 'good' ratings in six crash tests, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests.

It also needs to achieve 'advanced' or 'superior' ratings for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention tests and 'acceptable' or 'good' headlight ratings in all trim levels.

Starting at $31,790, the Honda Odyssey was updated for the 2021 model year with a touched-up front fascia featuring new LED headlights, a revised front bumper, and a blacked-out grille, along with new exterior colors. Power is provided by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the AWD Chrysler Pacifica, the Odyssey is only available with FWD.
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