2011 Honda Odyssey Offers 8 Passenger Seating and New Child Seat Features
Are you tired of 7-passenger vehicles that can’t fit all your kids and cargo? Sick of wagons and vans that lack features found in luxury cars? Well now your troubles are over! The rumors you’ve heard. The videos you’ve seen. It has arrived! The 2011 Honda Odyssey is the ultimate Family Transport!
Hauling lots of children along with their friends and gear? Want great seating flexibility with much better fuel economy than monster SUVs and full size vans? Looking for safety and high-end entertainment possibilities? Look no further! The new Odyssey is now king of the carseat and kid cruiser category, usurping the role from the Toyota Sienna 8-passenger models.
In the amazing new Odyssey, you can now easily fit most combinations of child safety seats 3-across in the second row. This is accomplished with a few inches more width inside overall, a new “wide” seating mode and a much wider “Multifunction” middle seat (available on EX and above models). This seat even features LATCH, the lower anchors and top tether anchors not present on the PlusOne middle seat of the previous Odyssey.
Yes, it’s true! Three LATCH positions in the middle row for all EX and Touring models. In the third row, there are two LATCH positions in the outboard seats and a third top tether anchor for the middle seat. All three top tether anchors for the third row are on the back of the vehicle seats. So, that’s a total of 5 LATCH positions in the 8-passenger EX/Touring trims and 4 LATCH positions for the 7-passenger LX trim level.
What does it offer over an 8-passenger Sienna? For starters, previous generation Sienna minivans that had the full size “Front and Center” 8th seat were not very common and only optional in lower trim level packages. Today, the Odyssey matches that and goes beyond, by making it standard in most trim levels. As for the third row seat, there is a nice increase in both shoulder room and legroom. That means a lot more space for adults, kids and carseats that get wider at the top. With the added inch of legroom, even a rear-facing seat should fit fine and allow plenty of room for the passenger in the 2nd row, too. Plus, access to the third row is easier, with over an inch more space for entry from the side when the 2nd row chair is moved forward.
All the head restraints can be removed. That can be a big advantage compared to some new vehicles where they are fixed and pose problems with some child seat installations. The new head restraints in the third row allow the seat to fold easily when down. They also conform to new requirements that make them relatively uncomfortable when down, such that older kids and adults are more likely to move them up where they offer protection from whiplash injuries.
Carseats are hardly the only issue with keeping kids and family safe. What about crash tests? Well, for those you will have to wait, but I am told that Honda fully expects a “Best Pick” rating from the IIHS. That is only awarded to vehicles that get top results in all their individual tests, including frontal offset and side impact crash tests plus their rear and roof strength ratings. Honda also expects to receive the 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. As you may know, the overall rating is new for 2011 and includes tougher individual frontal and side impact crash tests, including a new side pole test in addition to the one using a conventional barrier. Rollover risk is also included in the new overall rating. Scoring both an IIHS ”Best Pick” and a NHTSA overall “5-star” rating will be extremely impressive for any vehicles that accomplish it!
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
On October 24th, MileOne Automotive employees, friends and family in Maryland joined together to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Baltimore. MileOne Automotive is a long-time participant in the event and look forward to this day each fall.
The weather and turn-out were both great for this year’s event. Team members met at our Flagship Sponsor tent in a park at the Harry and Jeannetta Weinberg YMCA Center in Baltimore. Before the walk began, team members enjoyed light refreshments, turned in their last-minute donations and got ready for the event to begin!
Jerry Fader, President of MileOne Automotive, spoke to all walkers at this year’s Making Strides event before the beginning of the walk. He addressed the importance of fundraising and the impact that The American Cancer Society has in all of our lives. After the speech, there was a quick MileOne team photo taken then everyone headed to the start line.
The walk took place on a scenic, 4-mile course throughout the Mayfield neighborhood of Baltimore. Part of the walk included a trip around Lake Montebello. American Cancer Society volunteers, neighbors and even some cheerleaders encouraged walkers along the way. Everyone ended the walk under a huge pink balloon arch, welcoming them back to the event’s main area. Music, snacks and water were on-hand for all participants.
Overall, the event was successful for MileOne and The American Cancer Society, further strengthening the partnership between the two organizations. Throughout the Making Strides season, MileOne employees helped to raise thousands of dollars, as they do each year, to benefit the ACS. This event each year is a great celebration for all participants to recognize strength, volunteerism and community.