Most wanted list includes CTS-V Wagon, Corvette Z06, Kia Optima

(January 7, 2011)  Edmunds.com has announced the winners of its 2011 Editors' Most Wanted Awards.

"Our winners are chosen for one simple reason: they're the cars, trucks and vans that we like the best. These are the cars we would buy for ourselves, the ones that we remember even after getting behind the wheel of hundreds of vehicles throughout the year," said Ed Hellwig, Editor of Edmunds' InsideLine.com.

This year's winners are:

Cadillac CTS-V Wagon: "Cadillac has produced a machine with the personality and performance to satisfy the hardened car enthusiast while simultaneously acknowledging that people with the means to afford such a vehicle have real utilitarian needs," says Josh Jacquot, Senior Editor.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor: "This truck is all about character," says Mike Magrath, Associate Editor. "The Raptor earns our enthusiastic salute to fun and freedom in a time of rationality and reason."

Chevrolet Corvette ZO6: "If we're spending our own money, we'll take the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 though ours would have to be equipped with the Z07 Ultimate Performance package that's new for 2011," says Erin Riches, Senior Editor. "It lifts key chassis hardware from the ZR1, and the effect is transformative. It goes from being a scary-fast sportscar with squirrelly, unpredictable handling at the limit to being a scary-fast sportscar that's buttoned-down and trustworthy at 10/10ths."

Kia Optima: "It's an affordable family car that looks, feels and drives a class higher," says Hellwig. "It has plenty of power for daily driving and it delivers nearly 40 miles to the gallon on the highway."

Honda Odyssey: "The new Odyssey is the closest thing there is to an eight-passenger sport sedan, and its road manners will win the heart of any car-guy-turned-family-man," says Kelly Toepke, News Editor. "It's easy to see why once again, the Odyssey is the fun minivan in a vehicle class where nobody expects to have fun."

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (Instant Classic Award): "For those who aren't hypnotized by the sound of the potent, unrestricted V8, the SLS is a sight to behold. Yes, the gullwing doors are interesting, but even when they're closed this car has presence. Unlike the cartoonish proportions of the previous SLR, the SLS looks like a proper sports car. And with its all-aluminum chassis, it drives like one too," says Hellwig.