Media

Dec 9, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif.

• Accord Sedan and Coupe, CR-V and Pilot earn top rating in latest testing, as do the ILX and RLX sedans and the MDX and RDX luxury SUVs
• Odyssey also named TOP SAFETY PICK

A total of eight Honda and Acura models have received the highest possible safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) under its more challenging crash protection and technology requirements implemented for the 2016 model year.

For model year 2016, four Honda models have earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating: the Accord Sedan, Accord Coupe, the CR-V sport-utility vehicle and the recently redesigned Honda Pilot SUV. The Odyssey minivan was named a TOP SAFETY PICK. Additionally, four 2016 Acura models, the ILX and RLX sedans and the MDX and RDX luxury SUVs, each have earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating. Further, Honda anticipates that the just released 2016 Honda Civic Sedan will also receive a top rating from the IIHS.

"The fundamental notion of vehicle safety is evolving and with technologies like some of those in Honda Sensing and AcuraWatch, we are pursuing our vision to reduce and, ultimately, to eliminate vehicle collisions," said John Mendel, executive vice president, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "This is one of our biggest challenges and an essential element of our commitment to making products that improve the lives of people."

The baseline requirements for both IIHS awards are GOOD ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as a standard or optional front crash prevention system. The recipients of the "plus" award have a superior- or advanced-rated front crash prevention system with automatic braking capabilities. These vehicles must stop or slow down without driver intervention before hitting a target in tests at 12 mph, 25 mph or both. Models with a basic-rated front crash prevention system, which typically only issues a warning and doesn’t brake, qualify forTOP SAFETY PICK.

Honda and Acura vehicles offer a broad range of active and passive safety features along with leading edge safety- and driver-assistive technologies that can take action to help avoid a collision or mitigate its severity. The AcuraWatch™ suite of technologies is now available across the full Acura lineup, while Honda Sensing™ is available on a growing list of Honda brand vehicles, now including the 2015 and 2016 CR-V, 2016 Pilot, 2016 Accord Sedan and Coupe, and all-new 2016 Civic Sedan. Core AcuraWatch™ and Honda Sensing™ technologies include Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS). Additionally, all new Honda and Acura models come with a multi-angle rearview camera as standard equipment.  

Standard safety equipment on all Honda and Acura models includes the Advance Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); side curtain airbags (most vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor as well); dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; and front side airbags.

American Honda Safety Leadership
American Honda has a long history of leadership in the development and application of advanced technologies designed to enhance the safety of all road users, including automobile occupants, motorcycle riders and pedestrians. The company operates two of the world's most sophisticated crash test facilities, in Ohio and Japan, and is responsible for numerous pioneering efforts in the areas of crashworthiness, airbag technology, collision compatibility and pedestrian safety.

Based in part on advancements to Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, Honda is a leader in third-party crash test ratings within the industry. The company also is broadly applying advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies such as LaneWatch, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning to its product lineup. Also, all Honda and Acura vehicles have applied a rearview camera as standard equipment since the 2015 model year.