The automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm AutoPacific have released their “2019 Ideal Vehicle Awards”, and four Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) vehicles have been ranked best in their class by surveyed new owners. The cars and trucks on the list were based on the vehicles that best meet their owner’s expectations.
It was no surprise that the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 was on top of the Full-Size Pickup category. It was the second time that the 2019 Ram 1500 had topped an AutoPacific study, after being named “Highest Satisfaction Popular Brand” in their 2019 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards.
The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 has set the benchmark for durability, technology, efficiency, and convenience. That continues going into the new 2020 model year, with features like Ram 1500s 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 with its mild-hybrid eTorque system and offers up to 12,750-pounds of towing capability and 2,300-pounds of payload. With technology like the new Uconnect 4C system with a massive 12-inch touchscreen leads the pickup world in technology, featuring split-screen capability, 360-degree camera views and exclusive content from SiriusXM with 360L.
The Ram brand was also named top-overall brand among “Popular Brands” in the AutoPacific study.
The three other FCA vehicles named best-in-their-class were all repeat winners, were the Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Dodge Challenger, and Chrysler 300 Series.
For the ninth consecutive year, the Jeep® Grand Cherokee was at the top of the “Mid-Size SUV” category. As the most awarded SUV ever, the Jeep Grand Cherokee not only provides legendary Jeep capability with its proven 4×4 system, best-in-class towing, and has long defined the premium SUV segment. The lineup consists of a vast variety of Grand Cherokees for everyone, like the entry-level Laredo, to the off-road-oriented Trailhawk, to the luxurious Summit model, and the 707 horsepower Trackhawk – the most powerful and quickest SUV ever.
The iconic retro muscle car, the Dodge Challenger lead the “Sporty Car” category for the second year in a row, and the third time in four years. As one of the most diverse cars in the FCA lineup, there is a Challenger for everyone. The Challenger is offered in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive and a choice of five different engine choices ranging from 305 horsepower to 797 horsepower.
Chrysler’s 300 Series led the “Large Car” category for the second consecutive year. Based on the same architecture as the Dodge Challenger, the 300 Series offers both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive offerings for a wide range of trim levels. The award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is available on the Touring, Touring L, 300S, and Limited trims. Standard on the luxurious 300C and available on the sporty 300S, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, the only V8 engine in its class with 363 horsepower.
AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Awards are based on scores developed using results from the automotive research and consulting firm’s New Vehicle Satisfaction Survey. More than 50,000 respondents rated 14 vehicle attributes based on their desire for change. Those vehicles whose owners want the least change rank highest in their class for the Ideal Vehicle Award.
Respondents purchased a new car or truck between September and December 2018 and were surveyed between January and May 2019 after having driven their vehicle for at least 90 days.
