Dodge Durango, Jeep® Renegade and Ram 1500 Named 2016 Consumer Guide® Automotive Best Buys

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

• 2016 Jeep® Renegade captures Subcompact SUV Best Buy award for first time
• 2016 Dodge Durango continues as Large SUV Best Buy for fourth consecutive year
• 2016 Ram 1500 named Large Pickup Truck Best Buy every year since 2009 model year

The automotive editors at Consumer Guide® awarded three FCA U.S. vehicles the 2016 Best Buy distinction.

Dodge Durango earns the Best Buy Award in the Large SUV segment for the fourth consecutive year, the Jeep® Renegade secures the Best Buy Award among Subcompact SUVs and Ram 1500 captures the Best Buy Award for Large Pickup Trucks for the eighth straight year.

"We are pleased to recognize FCA's enduring success in the Large SUV and Large Pickup Truck classes," said Tom Appel, Publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive. "We are equally pleased to award the newest Jeep crossover Best Buy status for 2016."

Consumer Guide Automotive editors thoroughly evaluate more than 150 new cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs sold in America and select the top ones in each class as Best Buys.

Consumer Guide Automotive editors analyze, compare and evaluate numerous vehicles by extensively testing all major models available in the United States. According to Consumer Guide Automotive, a vehicle does not become a Best Buy based solely on objective ratings; Best Buys also distinguish themselves as good values compared to other vehicles in their class. For more information on the Consumer Guide Automotive 2016 Best Buys, visit consumerguide.com.

About the 2016 Dodge Durango 
The 2016 Dodge Durango's combination of uncompromised utility, advanced technology, class-leading towing (7,400 lbs. with the HEMI® V-8) and driving range, confident driving dynamics and aggressive styling make it the three-row Dodge Charger of the SUV segment. For the 2016 model year, the Durango features Engine Stop-Start (ESS) technology, an emission-lowering and fuel-saving feature that is standard on models powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine.

The lineup is also introducing new exterior appearance packages, new upgrades to its class-exclusive Uconnect system, new standard wheels on each model, new Radar Red interior color choice on the R/T model, available Beats Premium Audio System and four all-new paint colors: Velvet Red, Light Brownstone, Luxury Brown and Ivory Pearl Tri-Coat. All Dodge Durango models now offer Sport mode capability, which drivers can select for a more responsive driving experience.

2016 Dodge Durango vehicles are available with an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen radio. Uconnect is introducing new features that include the all-new Drag and Drop menu bar, Siri Eyes Free, Do Not Disturb and SiriusXM Tune Start, a feature that starts songs from the beginning when switching between pre-set satellite radio channels. Additionally, Durango offers consumers more than 60 available safety and security features, including standard all-speed traction control and electronic stability control (ESC), which improve overall vehicle handling and performance both on- and off-road.

About the 2016 Jeep Renegade 
The 2016 Jeep Renegade delivers a unique combination of best-in-class, off-road capability, open-air freedom and convenience, a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission that contributes to outstanding on-road and off-road driving dynamics, two fuel-efficient engines, world-class refinement and a host of innovative safety and advanced technology offerings.    

For 2016, the Jeep Renegade's offerings have expanded with the addition of several features, including the availability of BeatsAudio. The Renegade's optional Beats premium audio system includes nine speakers with a 6.5-inch subwoofer and 506-watt amplifier for studio-quality sound.

About the 2016 Ram 1500
Ram Truck offers the best value in half-ton trucks with a starting price of $24,970, plus $1,195 destination, and includes a standard 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine. The exclusive 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel engine with the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission offers the highest available fuel economy in a pickup at 29 mpg. The 2016 Ram 1500 capitalizes on a truckload of exclusive, pioneering, fuel-saving systems, including an eight-speed automatic transmission, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation (PWM) and active aerodynamics with grille shutters and air suspension.

About Consumer Guide Automotive 
Since 1967, Consumer Guide has published authoritative, objective reviews of new and used cars and trucks. Its staff of full-time automotive editors boasts more than 100 years of combined automotive experience. Consumer Guide's singular focus is to make car shopping easier for consumers. Consumer Guide editors provide professional, unbiased evaluations of nearly 1,500 new and used vehicles, as well as expert shopping advice and insightful automotive editorials. Consumer Guide is based in Lincolnwood, IL. It is published by Publications International, Ltd. 

About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker with a new name and a long history. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C model and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925; and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli.

FCA, the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."

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