2011 Honda Odyssey First Minivan to Earn 5 Star Crash Rating

The new 2011 Odyssey is one of the first two vehicles ever to earn five stars in each seating position for all three crash tests, each crash test category, and the overall rating.

It joins the 2011 Accord Sedan as one of the few vehicles to achieve the federal government's best-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score and five stars in the combined frontal and side crash safety ratings.

In the past, the NHTSA didn't give an overall score, crash testing vehicles solely for front-driver and passenger, side front- and side rear-passenger, and rollover safety.

The new requirements are tougher, and test all these areas.

The high rating is a big win for Honda, especially since the tests are harder.

The new regulations have led to only 11 five-star Overall Vehicle Scores out of 50 vehicles tested.