(December 16, 2010) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com today announces the 2011 Honda Odyssey has been named 2011 Best Redesigned Vehicle. 

The kbb.com editors praised the 2011 Honda Odyssey engineers and designers for successfully tackling the difficult task of improving and redesigning an already very-successful, hot-selling model that is widely regarded as the pinnacle of its class.

"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, " said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's 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.'" 

The Best Redesigned Vehicle accolade honors the vehicle that best demonstrates improvement and superiority relative to its predecessor and competitors.  In judging, the kbb.com editors consider exterior and interior styling, technology, comfort and convenience features, performance/capability, driving dynamics, safety, fuel economy, overall refinement and, of course, value. 

A variety of new or improved design innovations contributed to the 2011 Honda Odyssey capturing the Best Redesigned Vehicle honors. Kelley editors noted that the Honda's lower roofline and improved aerodynamics are keys to the 2011 Odyssey's class-leading highway fuel economy, while the wider stance not only enhances its exterior appearance, but also translates into significantly more useable interior space. 

"The Odyssey's innovative features are legend, and this time the split third-row Magic Seat is joined by a three-mode second row that greatly improves passenger comfort," kkb.com said.

Dozens of vehicles were redesigned for the 2011 model-year. The other top 10 finalists for kbb.com's 2011 Best Redesigned Vehicle were (in alphabetical order) the BMW X3, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Sonata, Infiniti M, Jaguar XJ, Kia Optima, Porsche Cayenne, Toyota Sienna and Volvo S60. 

Previous award winners were:
2004 — Ford F-150
2005 — Ford Mustang
2006 — Honda Civic
2007 — Chevrolet Silverado
2008 — Chevrolet Malibu
2009 — Ford F-150
2010 — Ford Taurus