IRVINE, Calif. -
Kelley Blue Book’s Kbb.com recently unveiled its 2011 Best Redesigned Vehicle and earning the annual recognition is the 2011 Honda Odyssey.
Kbb.com indicated it recognizes the vehicle showing the strongest improvement from the prior model and is ahead of its peers. Kbb.com bases its evaluation on the following factors: exterior and interior styling, technology, comfort and convenience features, performance/capability, driving dynamics, safety, fuel economy, overall refinement and value.
“The 2011 Honda Odyssey improves on its predecessor in every way imaginable, offering a better-looking, more contemporary exterior design, a sumptuous interior stuffed with innovative features, and class-leading fuel economy,” suggested Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst at Kbb.com.   
“Its safety, refinement, resale value and trouble-free nature are combined with a surprising level of fun-to-drive, so it is not difficult to see why Honda refers to the 2011 Odyssey as the ‘ultimate in family transportation,’” he added.
The Odyssey beat out nine fellow finalists, including BMW X3, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Sonata, Infiniti M, Jaguar XJ, Kia Optima, Porsche Cayenne, Toyota Sienna and Volvo S60.
The Odyssey is the second Honda vehicle to win the award. The Civic took top honors in 2006.  
Both models snapped two-year reigns by Ford. The 2004 winner was the Ford F-150, which was followed by the Ford Mustang in 2005.
A year ago, the Ford Taurus won and was preceded by the F-150, which had notched its second time win in 2009.
Chevrolet also celebrated two wins in a row. The Silverado earned the recognition in 2007 and was followed by the Malibu.
“Each model year, auto manufacturers continually raise the bar in providing consumers with top-notch vehicle technologies, performance and design,” Nerad stated. “With the Best Redesigned Vehicle accolade, we honor the models that exceed all expectations.”
The list of yearly winners includes:
2004: Ford F-150
2005: Ford Mustang
2006: Honda Civic
2007: Chevrolet Silverado
2008: Chevrolet Malibu             
2009: Ford F-150
2010: Ford Taurus
2011: Honda Odyssey