Chicago, Illinois (Feb. 8, 2018) – The Midwest Automotive Media Association
(MAMA) announced today at the Chicago Auto Show that the 2018 Honda Odyssey has been named the winner of its eighth annual Family Vehicle of the Year award.
MAMA is a nonprofit group of automotive journalists and public relations professionals, and it developed the award to help car-shopping families make a wise decision when they’re ready for a new vehicle.
“Choosing a family vehicle is an important decision. It should be versatile, reliable, efficient, and reasonably priced. MAMA members pooled their expertise and experience to select the best family vehicle from an outstanding group of new and significantly refreshed models, and the Honda Odyssey came out on top,” said award coordinator Tim Healey.
To qualify for the award, vehicles had to have four doors, start at less than $50,000, appear at one of MAMA’s two annual rallies, and be new or significantly updated within a year of the 2017 Spring Rally, which took place last May. The MAMA Spring and Fall Rallies feature roughly 100 manufacturer vehicles for journalists to drive and evaluate.
Voting took place at both rallies, and out of more than three dozen competitors, MAMA ended up with 12 finalists: Alfa Romeo Giulia, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Accord, Honda Odyssey, Mazda CX-5, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Atlas, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Volvo XC60.
In each round of voting, three points were awarded for a first-place vote, two points were given for a second-place vote and third-place votes were valued at one point each.
MAMA members then voted in one final round, and 94 automotive journalists selected the 2018 Honda Odyssey as the winner with 85 points, narrowly edging out the 2018 Volvo XC60, which garnered 84 points. The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas placed third with 72 points.
Voting for the 2019 Family Vehicle of the Year award will begin at the 2018 MAMA Spring Rally, which is scheduled for May 23-24 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The MAMA Fall Rally is tentatively scheduled for October 3 at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois.
New for 2019, MAMA President Jill Ciminillo announced that the association will be adding a Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year Award.
“We are excited to expand the Family Vehicle awards for 2019,” Ciminillo said. “Adding a luxury category allows us to help a broader range of families select the best vehicles that will meet their needs.”
For more information about the Midwest Automotive Media Association, please visit www.mamaonline.org.
About the Midwest Automotive Media Association
Founded in 1991, and now in its 27th year, the Midwest Automotive Media Association comprises 269 automotive journalists and public relations professionals from 25 states, D.C. and Canada. Though based in the Chicago area, MAMA welcomes members from all parts of the country. The organization’s primary purpose is to provide a forum for newsworthy people, major issues, and new products in the auto industry.
