Five Chrysler Group LLC Models Net 2014 Consumer Guide® Automotive 'Best Buy' Awards

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country, Ram 1500, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan and Dodge Journey all recognized as Consumer Guide® Automotive "Best Buys"

The automotive experts at Consumer Guide^® Automotive have named five Chrysler Group LLC vehicles as "Best Buys" for 2014, including:

• Chrysler Town & Country (Minivan)
• Ram 1500 (Pickup Truck)
• Dodge Durango (Large SUV)
• Dodge Grand Caravan (Minivan)
• Dodge Journey (Midsize Crossover)

Consumer Guide® Automotive editors analyze, compare and evaluate numerous vehicles by extensively testing all major models in 19 vehicle categories. Models that best fit the needs of the consumer are recognized with a "Best Buy" accolade.

"We are honored to have five vehicles named as 'Best Buys' by Consumer Guide^® Automotive," said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group. "Receiving a prestigious 'Best Buy' award for five of our vehicles is exciting, but it's also proof that media and customers are recognizing that we're making continual quality and performance improvements to our products."

A Consumer Guide^® Automotive Best Buy Award rating signifies that a vehicle is ranked at the top of its class and is strongly endorsed by the editors.

"The overall refinement and sense of quality Chrysler Group has brought to its latest generation of vehicles is noteworthy," said Tom Appel, publisher of Consumer Guide^® Automotive. "The 2014 Best Buy recipients are especially impressive in that prices have not risen significantly as a result of these improvements--making them very strong values."

Consumer Guide® Automotive is the leading consumer-focused trusted resource for authoritative and objective reports on new and used vehicles. Consumers turn to Consumer Guide® Automotive for extensive evaluations, reliable facts and expert opinions.

About Chrysler Town & Country
The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country minivan is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the minivan as one of the leading innovators in the segment created back in late 1983. New for 2014 is the Chrysler Town & Country 30th Anniversary Edition which features unique exterior and interior trim in addition to its already extensive list of standard equipment. The Town & Country S model continues on for 2014, bringing with it the modern design cues that tie in with Chrysler 200 S and 300 S models.

Chrysler Town & Country has the highest owner loyalty in the segment according to R.L. Polk and provides the most innovative seating and storage system with Standard Stow 'n Go Seats. Town & Country's award-winning powertrain delivers best-in-class horsepower without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is a two-time "Ward's 10 Best Engine" winner and produces 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The V-6 is mated to the 62TE six-speed automatic transmission. A fuel economizer mode helps the driver maximize fuel efficiency, and premium, lower-rolling-resistance tires, and low-drag brake calipers and rear bearings make great fuel economy possible. Chrysler Town & Country achieves 17 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city, 25 on the highway.

About 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.

About 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.

About Dodge Grand Caravan
The 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan celebrates its 30th birthday with a special model and a revised line-up to go along with its segment-leading innovations and unbeatable value. The 30th Anniversary edition, with unique exterior trim and interior content, will be available on SE and SXT models. With class-leading cargo capacity, best-in-class power, available class-exclusive Blu-Ray DVD player, segment-exclusive Super Stow 'n Go and 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan truly is the industry's most versatile cargo and passenger vehicle. And with a starting U.S. MSRP of $19,995, it's also the most affordable.

At the heart of the 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan is the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated that delivers a best-in-class 283 horsepower and 3,600 lbs. towing. It is mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transaxle. A 2013 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick with more than 45 safety and security features, the 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan is available in four models that fit almost any lifestyle and budget: the AVP, SE, SXT and sporty R/T.

About Dodge Journey
Dodge Journey is America's most affordable and versatile crossover and is the only crossover in the segment to offer the choice of four- or six-cylinder engines, five- or seven-passenger seating and front or all-wheel drive. Journey continues to deliver the latest in vehicle connectivity and customization with the Chrysler Group's Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system. With best-in-class storage space, available fold-flat seats, second-row in-floor storage and front-passenger "Flip-N-Stow" in-seat storage, the interior isn't just a nice place to be, it also offers best-in-class utility.
Journey's available 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine produces a best-in-class 283 horsepower and is mated to a smoothshifting six-speed automatic transmission. Journey is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick five years running and has more than 40 safety and security features. The 2014 Dodge Journey is available in AVP, SE, SXT, Limited and R/T trim levels, and is America's most affordable seven-seat crossover with a starting MSRP of $19,495.

About Consumer Guide^® Automotive
Since 1967, Consumer Guide has published authoritative, objective reviews of new and used cars and trucks. Its staff of 16 includes 10 full-time automotive editors with more than 150 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 1500 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.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC