Honda Models Impress With IIHS Safety Ratings

What is the Safest Vehicle for 2023?

There was once a time when cars didn’t have seatbelts or crumple zones, vehicle features that are today considered to be a necessity for driver and passenger safety. Nevermind the fact that these cars didn’t have any of the safety technology that today’s vehicles are equipped with.

The point is, it’s easy to take safety for granted. Many of the safety features that were once considered “nice-to-haves” are now included with every passenger vehicle that rolls out of a factory. That said, this doesn’t mean that every car these days is equally safe. Some cars are simply safer than others, and we have organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to thank for doing the work to put these vehicles to the test in realistic crash situations.

IIHS takes the latest vehicle models and tests both the structural engineering of the cars and some of their safety tech. Vehicles are put through a number of tests to simulate various crash situations, including passenger side collisions and overlap front collisions, often considered the most deadly.

2023 Honda Civic and Odyssey Safety Ratings

Now, despite all the work that IIHS does, it is nearly impossible to determine which exact vehicle is the safest. There are simply too many factors to consider. What we can do, however, is get a general idea of which models stand out from the rest when it comes to safety. 

When it comes to Honda, both the 2023 Civic compact sedan and Odyssey minivan are two options that are considered the cream of the crop. The former earned the title of IIHS Top Safety Pick and the latter earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition.

The Civic received a Good rating, which is the best rating possible, on all collision tests apart from the updated side collision test, though with the standard side collision test it did earn a Good rating. The Civic was also recognized for its headlights, which received a Good rating, and its standard front crash prevention system. 

Now, when it comes to a minivan like the Odyssey, nothing could be more important than safety for you and your family. IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ rating is the highest possible. The minivan received a Good rating on all collision tests, and like the Civic, received recognition for its standard front crash prevention system. It also received a Good+ rating for the ease of use of its LATCH system, which is the equipment used to secure child car seats.

[Read more: Which Honda Models Made Car and Driver Magazine’s Editors’ Choice List]

If you’re interested in test driving either of these vehicles, reach out to your team of auto experts here at Honda of Burien.