Consumers Digest names Seven Chrysler Group Vehicles 'Best Buys' for 2014

News provided by

Nov 01, 2013, 10:07 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Chrysler 300 and Town & Country earn "Best Buy" awards
Dodge Durango and Grand Caravan honored
Jeep® Grand Cherokee named a "Best Buy"
Ram 1500 honored in Full-Size Pickup segment
Fiat 500 awarded a "Best Buy" in Subcompact segment

Seven Chrysler Group vehicles, representing each vehicle brand, have earned a spot on Consumers Digest's list of 2014 Best Buys.

Vehicles chosen as "Best Buys" deliver the most value for the money in their respective segments; value is determined by purchase price and ownership costs as well as comfort, performance and utility among other factors, according to Consumers Digest The automotive editors at Consumer Digest drive "Best Buy" contenders in a range of circumstances and conditions and evaluate vehicle characteristics such as acceleration, ride quality, fuel economy, fit and finish, styling, and interior ergonomics.

"We are constantly making improvements to the performance and quality of our vehicles," said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group. "Our work never ends, but it is paying off with increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as product awards like this from Consumers Digest."

The 2014 Chrysler 300 was named a Luxury Car "Best Buy" as were the 2014 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan for the Minivan segment. Dodge also earned an award for the 2014 Durango in the Large SUV category.

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most awarded SUV ever, added another honor as a Midsize SUV "Best Buy." Also updated for 2014, the Ram 1500 garnered a "Best Buy" award in the Full-Size Pickup category. In the Subcompact Car segment, the Fiat 500 achieved a "Best Buy" as well.

Chrysler 300
The 2014 Chrysler 300 lineup delivers world-class craftsmanship, technology and value wrapped in 'Imported from Detroit' style. Chrysler 300 remains the most luxurious vehicle in its class and provides best-in-class rear-seat volume along with the comfort and roominess expected in a world-class flagship sedan. Best-in-class fuel economy is provided courtesy of the 3.6-liter aluminum Pentastar V-6 engine with state-of-the-art ZF eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers 31 mpg highway. Chrysler's available AWD system features a segment-exclusive active transfer case and front-axle disconnect for maximum fuel efficiency and even more all-season capability for the 300.

Chrysler Town & Country
The world-class interior of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan is beautifully crafted with high-quality materials that are soft to the touch, and offers tech-savvy entertainment features and smart storage and seating options including Stow 'n Go® seating with one-touch fold-down function, dual DVD entertainment system, navigation and SIRIUSXM satellite radio with Travel Link making the Chrysler Town & Country the ultimate family vehicle. A 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is a "Ward's 10 Best Engine" and produces a best-in-class 283 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a fuel economizer mode.

Dodge Grand Caravan
Dodge Grand Caravan, America's most affordable minivan, is celebrating its 30th birthday in 2014 with special 30th Anniversary models and unique content. The Grand Caravan offer industry-exclusive Super Stow 'n Go seating that can be easily operated with one hand, allowing users to convert from carrying seven to hauling cargo in a matter of seconds. The Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine provides best-in-class 283 horsepower without a penalty at the gas pump, getting up to 25 miles per gallon. The Grand Caravan is equipped with more than 45 safety and security features and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Dodge Durango
The new 2014 Dodge Durango takes everything that customers love about Durango and adds the latest advancements in technology to enhance its design, capability and functionality. With a new standard eight-speed automatic transmission that improves fuel economy up to 15 percent with the available HEMI V-8 engine and delivers up to 25 miles per gallon highway with the standard Pentastar V-6 engine, new LED exterior lighting and the Dodge brand's signature racetrack taillamps, new available 8.4-inch Uconnect Touchscreen, a new customizable TFT gauge cluster and an available high-definition dual-screen Blu-ray entertainment system, the 2014 Dodge Durango reaches even higher levels of sophistication building on its proven performance, utility and comfort.

Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Grand Cherokee completely redefines the premium SUV, delivering an unprecedented combination of best-in-class fuel economy and driving range, available clean-diesel technology, legendary benchmark capability, world-class craftsmanship, and a host of advanced user-friendly technology and safety features. For 2014, Grand Cherokee offers a new EcoDiesel engine with best-in-class 30 mpg highway and an unmatched driving range of more than 730 miles. A new eight-speed transmission drives all Grand Cherokee engines, including the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 - achieving up to 25 mpg and more than 600 miles driving range - and the 5.7-liter V-8, now achieving up to 22 mpg.

Ram 1500
Ram 1500 - the most recognizable pickup on the road - delivers best-in-class fuel economy of 18 MPG city and 25 MPG highway with a truckload of pioneering, fuel-saving systems including a fuel efficient and powerful 3.6-liter V-6 engine and first-in-segment technologies: TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start system, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension. For 2014, the Ram 1500 offers a new, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine that delivers an outstanding combination of best-in-class fuel efficiency - greater than 25 mile per gallon (mpg) - unsurpassed torque and up to 9,200 pounds of towing capability.

Fiat 500
Reminiscent of the original 500 or "Cinquecento" born in 1957, the new Fiat 500 builds on the vehicle's global popularity. Since its initial launch on July 4, 2007 more than 1,000,000 Fiat 500 vehicles have been sold in more than 100 countries around the world. In addition to success on the sales front, the Fiat 500 has earned more than 80 international awards, including being named the 2008 European Car of the Year, 2009 World Car Design of the Year and Best New Engine of 2010 (Fiat MultiAir® Turbo). In the U.S., the 2012 Fiat 500 was named "Best Buy" in the subcompact category by Consumers Digest and was deemed a "Top Safety Pick" by the influential Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This year, the 2013 Fiat 500 was named to the "10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000" list by Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, SRT, FIAT and Mopar vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, SRT Viper and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

About Consumers Digest
The Best Buy Seal and other licensed materials are registered certification marks and trademarks of Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, used under license. For award information, visit ConsumersDigest.com.

Follow Chrysler news and video on:
Company Blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com
Company Web Site: www.chryslergroupllc.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chryslercommunitcations
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chryslergroup/
Media Web Site: www.media.chrysler.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/chryslercorp/
Streetfire: http://www.streetfire.net/uploaded/chryslervideo.htm
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo