The 2014 Ram 1500 has been awarded Truck of the Year from Motor Trend.
Selected after a rigorous screening process, the Ram 1500 will be featured in the February issue of the magazine, according to a press release.
The Ram 1500, which has an all-new EcoDiesel V-6 engine and eight-speed transmission, now stands as the only vehicle to win the award two years in a row.
"Half-ton truck customers have been asking for a diesel engine and Ram is the only truck manufacturer to answer the bell and deliver not only best-in-class fuel economy but also 9,200 pounds of towing capability," said Reid Bigland, president and CEO of Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.
"In a brutally competitive truck industry, the Ram 1500 is the only vehicle to ever win the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award two years in a row, reaffirming the fact that we have the best truck on the road."
The panel of judges also examined the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ram Heavy Duty and Toyota Tundra pickups; and the Ford Transit Connect, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Nissan NV200 and Ram ProMaster vans.
The nine contenders were put through their paces at a testing grounds in Texas, where they were examined for 0-60 mph acceleration, braking, handling, payload testing and more. The intensive, weeklong evaluation of the vehicles took place on the facility's high-speed oval, dry-handling road course and multi-surfaced ride road.
The award is given based on which vehicle measures up against six factors: design advancement, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value and performance of intended function, according to the press release.
"At the end of the day, though, the Ram 1500 quickly rose to the top," said Edward Loh, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend. "Not only did it withstand our rigorous testing, it thoroughly impressed our judges with its vast array of standard and optional equipment, and, most notable, its fuel-efficient, segment-exclusive EcoDiesel V-6. With 420 lb-ft of torque and up to 28 'Real MPG' highway, the EcoDiesel is a true game-changer."
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