Consumers Digest has named seven Chrysler vehicles to be best buys for 2014. To make this list the following elements are taken into account: comfort, ownership costs, performance, purchase price, and utility. Each vehicle is driven by Consumer Digest automotive editors who evaluate them based on criteria such as styling, ride quality, interior ergonomics, fuel economy, fit and finish, and acceleration.
Dodge was awarded in the Large SUV category for its 2014 Durango. Already a well-liked vehicle by customers, the 2014 Durango has been updated with new technology that accentuates its functionality, design and capability. Fuel economy is improved 15% via its new standard eight-speed automatic transmission and available HEMI V-8. Also new are its available 8.4” Uconnect Touchscreen, LED exterior lighting, customizable TFT gauge cluster and many other state of the art options.
The 2014 Chrysler 300 received the honor of Luxury Car Best Buy, remaining at the top of its class as most luxurious with its outstanding value, craftsmanship and technology. It sports best-in-class rear-seat volume that affords the spaciousness expected of a world-class sedan.
Town & Country was given a best buy award in the Minivan category for its wonderfully built components such as its one-touch fold-down Stow ‘n Go seating, SIRIUSXM satellite radio with navigation and Travel Link, and the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with fuel economizer mode.
Dodge Caravan was another vehicle named as best buy in the Minivan segment as its the most affordable minivan in the US. The 2014 model celebrates the Caravan’s 30th anniversary with great exclusive content. Featuring its Super Stow ‘n Go seating with one handed operation and quick conversion from hauling cargo to carrying seven passengers, not to mention its 25 miles per gallon capability. This IIHS Top Safety Pick has over 45 security and safety features.
The 2014 updated Dodge Ram 1500 was awarded as the best buy for the Full-Size Pickup category. Consumers Digest was duly impressed with its first-in-segment technologies, some of which include pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, thermal management, and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. The new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine delivers best-in-class fuel economy at better than 25 miles per gallon.
As the most awarded SUV ever, the Jeep Grand Cherokee impresses again as this year’s Midsize SUV best buy. Its available clean-diesel technology, advanced user-friendly safety features and technology, driving range over 730 miles, 30 mpg highway, beautiful craftsmanship make it easy to see why this SUV is honored more than any other.
The Fiat 500 took home the best buy honor in the Subcompact category. The vehicle is a nod to the original 500 (aka “Cinquecento”) created in 1957. Launched in 2007, over 1,000,000 Fiat 500s have been bought in more than 100 countries. Internationally it has won 80+ awards. This is the second year in a row that it has won the best buy in its category from Consumers Digest, as well as a “Top Safety Pick” from IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). Kelley Blue Book named the 201 Fiat 500 one of the “10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000” on its KBB.com page.
