Kelley Blue Book Names Most-Researched New Vehicles & Brands of 2011

Turns out, the most-researched new vehicles of 2011 on Kelley Blue Book’s website all are manufactured by the top five brands with the greatest share of market interest for this year.

KBB’s top five brands with greatest share of market interest among new-vehicle shoppers included:

1. Toyota with 14.2 percent.
2. Ford with 13.5 percent.
3. Honda with 12.8 percent.
4. Chevrolet with 11.5 percent.
5. Hyundai with 7.5 percent.

As a result, Kbb.com’s top 20 most-researched new vehicles of 2011 include:

1. Honda Civic
2. Honda Accord
3. Toyota Camry
4. Honda CR-V
5. Ford F-150
6. Hyundai Sonata
7. Hyundai Elantra
8. Chevrolet Equinox
9. Toyota Prius
10. Volkswagen Jetta
11. Nissan Altima
12. Toyota Highlander
13. Honda Odyssey
14. Toyota Corolla
15. Ford Fusion
16. Ford Focus
17. Ford Explorer
18. Toyota RAV4
19. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
20. Ford Escape

KBB analysts think this year’s success story is the Hyundai Elantra, entering the top 20 most-researched new vehicles list at No. 7, jumping 29 positions from a year ago. They contend Elantra’s victory can be attributed to the vehicle’s top-rated fuel efficiency, affordability, superior redesign and Hyundai's increased popularity among consumers. 

“Hyundai’s Elantra resonated with kbb.com visitors earlier this year with its redesign releasing as gas prices were soaring; and due to its styling, it remains top-of-mind among new-car shoppers,” explained Arthur Henry, manager of market intelligence for Kelley Blue Book. 

“Hyundai was able to knock it out of the park two years in rows with the Sonata and now the Elantra, which is maintaining brand loyalty and changing public perception,” Henry continued.

KBB reiterated that Toyota, Ford, Honda, Chevrolet, Hyundai (respectively) are the top five brands with the highest share of market interest. KBB defined the share as the percent of new-vehicle shopper activity for a particular brand on Kbb.com for 2011. 

Making its big appearance this year as a top brand is Hyundai, closing in on the fifth position on the 2011 top five most-researched brand list, replacing Nissan from last year.

Analysts discovered Hyundai’s increased popularity among shoppers can be accounted for in part due to Honda and Toyota delivering their vehicles at a low production rate because of the Japanese tsunami and recent Thai floods. 

KBB indicated many consumers turned to Hyundai for their new-vehicle purchase during this time with the lack of vehicles in the marketplace.

Hyundai’s roll out of the Equus and Veloster, in addition with the redesign of the Accent and Azera, were also considerable factors that translated into its increased market share on Kbb.com.

Analysts added the Elantra and Sonata had a high level of prosperity this year, which generated brand interest among shoppers.

KBB mentioned Toyota retained its No. 1 spot, and the brand’s market share increased 1 percent.

Analysts pointed out Ford moved up one position this year to the second brand researched most from 10.2 percent in 2010 to 13.5 percent this year.

Meanwhile, Honda moved down to No. 3 on the list, while Chevrolet remained the fourth brand researched when compared to 2010.