2014 Ram 1500 Wins Motor Trend Truck of the Year!
Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh explains why the new 2014 Ram 1500 has been named Motor Trend Truck of the Year for 2014.
Read the full story here: http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/truck/1402_2014_ram_1500_is_motor_trend_2014_truck_of_the_year/
Nine Truck of the Year contenders were put through an extensive battery of testing designed to evaluate virtually every aspect of each vehicle. In addition to the 2014 Ram 1500, the judges examined other all-new or significantly updated trucks the industry produced this year: 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.
To determine which truck deserved top honors, the Motor Trend judges took the nine contenders to the Continental Tire Automotive Proving Grounds in Uvalde, Texas. There, the judges tested each truck's perfor mance with the following exercises:
1. Standard testing (without load): 0-60 mph and 1/4-mile acceleration, 60-0 mph braking, and maximum lateral grip.
2. Limit handling (without load): closed-course cornering, braking, and acceleration.
3. Tow/payload testing: 0-60 acceleration repeated with trailers attached (pickups) or payload secured (vans), loaded to 75 percent of each truck's maximum rating (as equipped).
4. Road looping: Highway and real-world replication.
At Continental's 5000-acre proving grounds, the team utilized the facility's 8.5-mile high-speed oval, 15-acre dynamics pad, 1.1-mile dry-handling road course, and multi-surfaced ride road to evaluate each truck's capabilities and expose strengths and weaknesses. Following the team's intensive, weeklong evaluation in Uvalde, the trucks were shipped to Motor Trend headquarters in El Segundo, California, to undergo proprietary "Intellichoice Real MPG" fuel-economy testing. Using advanced technology including a weather station, GPS data-logger, and flow-rate and gas analyzers, Real MPG measures exhaust samples every second during an 88-mile drive to record accurate real-world fuel economy.
Once testing was completed, the judges convened to determine which truck would be crowned Truck of the Year. The winner is not chosen from a direct comparison against the other contenders, but rather as a result of how each contender measured up against the award's six criteria: Design Advancement, Engineering Excellence, Efficiency, Safety, Value, and Performance of Intended Function.
With the votes cast, the Ram 1500 clearly emerged as Motor Trend's 2014 Truck of the Year. The judges were particularly impressed with the performance of the Ram 1500's all-new EcoDiesel V-6 engine as well as its eight-speed TorqueFlite transmission, a combination that boasts a towing capacity of up to 9,200 pounds. Further, Motor Trend's Real MPG testing supported what the team learned in Uvalde: None of the gas-powered half-ton trucks in this year's competition -- be they V-6 or V-8, 4x2 or 4x4 -- could match the EcoDiesel's mileage. After delivering observed fuel economy of 15 mpg under extreme testing at Continental's proving grounds, the EcoDiesel continued to impress during the Real MPG test loop, returning the following frugal stats: 19/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined for the Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 with a 3.92 rear axle and an even more notable 18/28/22 for the Lone Star Crew Cab 4x2 with a 3.55 rear axle.
The Ram's optional air suspension system also scored high marks in Engineering Excellence, as it delivered a compliant ride and commendable handling no matter the terrain. In terms of design, the Ram 1500 impressed with its style, packaging, and interior ergonomics; notably, the Laramie Longhorn's luxury aesthetics and real wood trim. The breadth of the lineup was another compelling factor. Whether outfitted as a basic workhorse or optioned up to a near-luxury hauler, the Ram 1500 provides all of the capability needed in a truck.
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Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh explains why the new 2014 Ram 1500 has been named Motor Trend Truck of the Year for 2014.
Read the full story here: http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/truck/1402_2014_ram_1500_is_motor_trend_2014_truck_of_the_year/
Nine Truck of the Year contenders were put through an extensive battery of testing designed to evaluate virtually every aspect of each vehicle. In addition to the 2014 Ram 1500, the judges examined other all-new or significantly updated trucks the industry produced this year: 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.
To determine which truck deserved top honors, the Motor Trend judges took the nine contenders to the Continental Tire Automotive Proving Grounds in Uvalde, Texas. There, the judges tested each truck’s perfor mance with the following exercises:
1. Standard testing (without load): 0-60 mph and 1/4-mile acceleration, 60-0 mph braking, and maximum lateral grip.
2. Limit handling (without load): closed-course cornering, braking, and acceleration.
3. Tow/payload testing: 0-60 acceleration repeated with trailers attached (pickups) or payload secured (vans), loaded to 75 percent of each truck’s maximum rating (as equipped).
4. Road looping: Highway and real-world replication.
At Continental’s 5000-acre proving grounds, the team utilized the facility’s 8.5-mile high-speed oval, 15-acre dynamics pad, 1.1-mile dry-handling road course, and multi-surfaced ride road to evaluate each truck’s capabilities and expose strengths and weaknesses. Following the team’s intensive, weeklong evaluation in Uvalde, the trucks were shipped to Motor Trend headquarters in El Segundo, California, to undergo proprietary “Intellichoice Real MPG” fuel-economy testing. Using advanced technology including a weather station, GPS data-logger, and flow-rate and gas analyzers, Real MPG measures exhaust samples every second during an 88-mile drive to record accurate real-world fuel economy.
Once testing was completed, the judges convened to determine which truck would be crowned Truck of the Year. The winner is not chosen from a direct comparison against the other contenders, but rather as a result of how each contender measured up against the award’s six criteria: Design Advancement, Engineering Excellence, Efficiency, Safety, Value, and Performance of Intended Function.
With the votes cast, the Ram 1500 clearly emerged as Motor Trend’s 2014 Truck of the Year. The judges were particularly impressed with the performance of the Ram 1500’s all-new EcoDiesel V-6 engine as well as its eight-speed TorqueFlite transmission, a combination that boasts a towing capacity of up to 9,200 pounds. Further, Motor Trend’s Real MPG testing supported what the team learned in Uvalde: None of the gas-powered half-ton trucks in this year’s competition — be they V-6 or V-8, 4×2 or 4×4 — could match the EcoDiesel’s mileage. After delivering observed fuel economy of 15 mpg under extreme testing at Continental’s proving grounds, the EcoDiesel continued to impress during the Real MPG test loop, returning the following frugal stats: 19/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined for the Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4×4 with a 3.92 rear axle and an even more notable 18/28/22 for the Lone Star Crew Cab 4×2 with a 3.55 rear axle.
The Ram’s optional air suspension system also scored high marks in Engineering Excellence, as it delivered a compliant ride and commendable handling no matter the terrain. In terms of design, the Ram 1500 impressed with its style, packaging, and interior ergonomics; notably, the Laramie Longhorn’s luxury aesthetics and real wood trim. The breadth of the lineup was another compelling factor. Whether outfitted as a basic workhorse or optioned up to a near-luxury hauler, the Ram 1500 provides all of the capability needed in a truck.
Subscribe now to the Motor Trend Channel make sure you’re in on all the action!
http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=motortrend
Facebook – http://facebook.com/motortrendmag
Twitter – http://twitter.com/motortrend
Google+ – https://plus.google.com/1018679678590…
Website – http://www.motortrend.com
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I think the only good mt of the years were 2012,2013,2014! 2015 mt is the
worst for the trucks. And I love how mt channel didn’t post it because of
all the people who would be pissed off like me about 2015 mt of the year.
I am a body shop owner in my ten years, I’ve seen over 20 f-150 in my shop
for power train issues a year, on average I see about 8 rams for things
like new tires or oil changes, I even own a ford and has to get a new one
for my ecoboost clunking out on me, so I am thinking of the 2014
back-to-back Truck of the year Ram 1500
Lets make this clear everbody hatin on the ram winning are a bunch of ford
liking faggets who dont know anything about cars and trucks and just like
the name ford and since it was the first major american car company they
will defend the name like there virginity lol, ram is not garbage there
better then ford so just give it up….
WHAT?! Of every single truck on the planet they chose THAT heap of shite as
the best? What is this world coming to? A VAN performs better on road than
that truck at its intended purpose, so you focus on the off road ability,
and… nothing. Every Ram I’ve ever seen has been utterly hopeless off
road. So, beaten on road, useless off… that makes it a waste of metal.
Unless the aim is to waste metal in the best way?
‘Handsome’… I didn’t know that was a euphamism for fuck ugly.
‘Great fuel economy’. 28mpg…. My 1972 Land Rover did 30 easily with its
original engine. Now with a de-turbo’d TD5 lump it returns over 40.. come
on, this is 2013, not 1953!
Diesels are better engines, that’s obvious. But money wise if you do the
math it’s not much better than the gas engines you can get, if it’s better
at all. If only diesel was the same price as unleaded! :p
go on hatters hate on fan boys!! Pround Ram truck owner here and love it!!
2 years in a row and Ram just keeps getting better and better! and its not
outdated the 2009 had things that GM and Toyota are barely now releasing in
their trucks
A v6 pickup what a joke.
They neglected to mention the $4,000 upcharge over the Hemi, 9 second 0-60
and 9200lbs max towing.
Sorry, this isn’t class leading, nor is it ground-breaking.
Ford is better in my opinion. I hate ram
hahahaha dodge truck of the year, just goes to show you they don’t know
anything, a couple years down the road it will be falling apart, most
unreliable piece of junk you can buy, get yourself a real tough truck and
get a tundra, best reliability and best resale value, i speak from
experience i’ve owned all of them except nissan
ford will so win next year all new look and interior!
im sorry but this is probably the most outdated and backwards car in
production, unsubscribed
That’s why I’m so mopar lol gotta luv em
Congrats to the RAM 1500 EcoDiesel! Just in time for Dodge’s 100th
anniversary! I am so getting a RAM pickup!
BUT IT’S A diesel
The Ram name is a proud banner of quality and excellence in a truck. From
the open road to the work site, Ram delivers, so it’s no wonder the Ram
1500 was named Motor Trend’s truck of the Year for the second year in a
row. Come in to Wilson for your Ram today.
Love ram it’s the nicest and toughest half ton
we need more diesels in the U.S. auto market. i hope ford and chevy follow.
a yukon Denali diesel would be bad arse!
for me, its the F-150 Ecoboost, bad motortrend
Is it just me or does it seem like EVERY truck wins this award? Whenever I
see a truck commercial they always say its won some sort of truck of the
year award. Personally I’m a ford guy but evidently it doesn’t matter if
youre driving a 1990 heap-o-shit..congratulations, youre driving the truck
of the year
Motortrend… Please make Truck of the Year a longer video kind of like the
best driver’s car series!!!!
if your gonna buy a diesel buy a 2500
Diesels garbage. Diesel where I live is nearly 20 cents more the gas
The Sierra or silverado shud of won the ran design is older than Chevys and
Chevys has a better payload and max towing plus they look better too the
dodge looks like its frowning all the time because of its grill. And u cant
call that innovative the colorado is getting a diesel. So they aren’t
really the first brand to put a diesel in a 1500
I can wait to see rams sport truck coming out. Single cab short bed hemi
with 8 speed and geared. Should be able to spec it that way, but no… None
of the companies give that option. Ford has their Tremor now, the one at
the LA Auto Show was a 4×4, wtf? Chevy has no plans for a 1500 sport truck.
Can you imagine that big 6.2 in a single cab short bed?
28mpg
I love when some slug from a bankrupt rock floating in the North Atlantic
has an opinion on something he/she/it clearly knows nothing about. I would
much rather take dental advice from someone from OVER THERE than anything
pertaining to automobiles. Let that sink in.
Junk junk junk junk junk
Yep thats about the worst truck you could have picked.
Sucks, F150 all day son! 5.0L/EcoBoost FTW!!!
Finally a truck company with a brain! Imagine that, they put a diesel in a
half ton! Just what almost EVERYONE would want!!! Get to work GM and
FORD!!!
2014 truck if the year? You do realise it’s not the end of 2013 yet?
People need to remember, then new ram trucks are not the old ram trucks,
whole new build. Enough with the “Every ram I’ve driven is crap”… If you
have not driven a new ram then don’t comment… Also, if you’re a die-hard
fanboy, please leave, noone cares to hear your pathetic excuses as to why
your brand should have won. MT is for vehicle lovers, people who love all
vehicles.
Ram sucks!!
Sure wish Ford would get a V6 version of the Powerstroke diesel Scorpion
into the F-150. But the EcoBoost motor sells like gangbusters so I can see
why they haven’t yet. The 3.2 Powerstroke in the Transitvan just isn’t
enough for a quarter-ton truck.
FTW = Cummins engine, Ford chassis, Denali/Escalade interior, Allison
trans….
That Ram Box storage is pure awesome though. I would use the hell out of
that.
Ram FTW
Yea! You can bet on head gasket failures! On all, but the cummings
powerplants!!
A real man’s truck,no BULLSHIT,my father and I drove one for two years,it
was my dad’s first Dodge because he always loved Chevy but after driving
the Dodge he now bought a giant flag for our flagpole with the Dodge logo
and wants to buy a challenger.Don’t be bitches Ford and Chevy fanboys.
I love it
Some you dudes need emotional help.
Foxtrot oscar wtf?? A land rover can’t out tow a ram, silverado, or any of
the F series. Not a chance! And im really looking forward to seeing long
arm lift kits for these rams.. They’ll be incredible offroad without the
leaf springs in the rear.
As a non-american it amazes me how people are divided into Ford, GM and
Chrysler fanboys. Yes, fanboys, not fans or those who simply prefer one
pickup over another, that kind of people are very rare. Seriously, what the
heck? They are so similar, each manufactuer had his own failiures over the
years, but every video comparsion ends up with “discussion” why is the
truck total crap or best of the best…
my co-worker has one of these, and he’s had nothing but problems. Leaking
headliner, and the touchscreen unit is completely fucked. Only has about
5400kms on it.
90% of the dumb shits leaving comments don’t even own a truck. I farm for a
living and have been thru Ford, Chevy, and Ram. I decided to try RAM for
the first time last October I went with a 12 lararmie 1500 and couldn’t
have been happier with every aspect including pulling heavy seed tenders
and a 26ft tilt bed with a 11000lb bobcat T250 etc. I recently just traded
it for a 13 Laramie longhorn and with air suspension, the truck is a
fucking work horse and when I’m done for the day I can take your mother out
for dinner in it.
I like the ideas that have been put into the Ram. Air suspension and 8
speed trans. and configurations. But I do question their durability.
Fords are good and tough, but I have seen to many powerstrokes die an early
death. Gas engines are great. Chevy is the luxury truck. Very good ride
and a bad ass 6.2 V-8. I think I will just keep the old 94 Ford F250 with
a 351w. And 310,000 miles still runs great.
1st ever back to back win!
I love Dodge Rams
I give it six months before stuff starts falling off
I love all the fanboys out there who are so butt hurt the brands daddy
worked for couldn’t win this award. RAM won again because they do one
thing….build trucks. I work with pickup trucks for a living and gotta say
Fords in no way shape or form are reliable in my work experience and the
GMC I used the interior literally fell apart driving it…. idc personally
but that sets some people off. The Ram we got though always gets the job
done and I was raised in a GM family. It’s a better truck, Face it, and
encourage your brands to step it up.
Great job Ram on back to back MT truck of the year wins. I still think for
the money the hemi is the way to go.