Eight Chrysler Group LLC Vehicles Take Home a Consumers Digest 'Best Buy' for the 2012 Model Year

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The Chrysler Group vehicles that received Consumers Digest automotive “Best Buys” for the 2012 

model year are:  Chrysler: 300, Town & Country, Jeep®: Grand Cherokee, Dodge: Durango, 

Grand Caravan, Challenger Ram: 1500 FIAT 500

“It’s a tremendous honor to have so many vehicles named as ‘Best Buys’ by Consumers Digest,” said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group LLC. “We have gone to great lengths to enhance the craftsmanship and quality of all of our vehicles. These awards are evidence that we’re producing cars, trucks, crossovers, minivans and SUVs that customers – and critics – appreciate.”

As testament to the improvements made to Chrysler Group’s vehicles in terms of quality and desirability, the Company earlier today announced that vehicle sales are up for the 19th consecutive month. 

The Consumers Digest automotive “Best Buys” issue is an annual publication in which editors judge vehicles on many build quality and performance attributes such as ergonomics, fit and finish, utility, acceleration, fuel economy and many more. They also look at cost of ownership variables such as resale value, warranty, maintenance costs and annual operating expenses. The top vehicles in 12 separate categories are then chosen as “Best Buys” by the publication. 

FIAT 500

The 2012 Fiat 500 caters to a new generation of Americans who want their vehicle to be as engaging, individualized, ecologically responsible and technologically savvy as they are. This modern-generation Fiat 500 offers safety, fuel economy, quality and advanced technology perfectly balanced with iconic Italian style.

With its city-friendly proportions, engaging driving dynamics, all-new fuel-efficient 1.4-liter FIAT MultiAir® engine delivering up to 38 highway mpg and a best-in-class 30 mpg city (with manual transmission), standard state-of-the-art BLUE&ME™ Handsfree Communication technology, seven standard air bags and new quality and refinement adaptations for the U.S. market, including an all-new six-speed automatic transmission, the 2012 Fiat 500 offers a unique ownership experience.

Chrysler 300

Once limited to premium import vehicles costing twice as much, the new segment-exclusive eight-speed automatic transmission expands the world-class power and fuel-efficiency of the 2012 Chrysler 300, 300S (V-6) and 300 Limited models and offers class-leading fuel efficiency

Packed with a 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine including innovative Fuel Saver Technology, a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Auto Stick, performance-tuned suspension and larger performance disc brakes, the V-8 models deliver world-class power and refinement.

Chrysler Town & Country

The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country minivan builds upon the dramatic, and well received, changes made in the previous model year. Already imbued with innovative technology, unparalleled functionality, classic design, and a long list of standard convenience and safety features, enhancements in refinement make the 2012 Town & Country a true stand-out in the minivan segment.

Improvements for 2012 include standard leather seating and rear-seat DVD for all models, new Sapphire Blue interior lighting scheme and a combination leather and wood steering wheel for Limited models.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee delivers with even more refinement and features that can be appreciated on the road and off. Since its introduction, the 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee has captured more than 30 awards from an array of opinion-leading organizations making it the most awarded SUV ever.

The most capable Grand Cherokee ever with available Jeep Selec-Terrain™ system, Quadra-Lift™ air suspension, and front and rear independent suspension also has V-6 and V-8 engine choices that offer class-leading driving range (550 miles with V-6) or class-leading towing capability (7,400 lbs. V-8). Jeep grand Cherokee truly is a no-compromises, go anywhere and do anything SUV. 

Dodge Challenger

The 2012 Dodge Challenger delivers exactly what muscle car enthusiasts want — a powerful and efficient engine lineup, a performance suspension designed for maximum grip, and athletic head-turning styling — all executed with quality and precision.

The Dodge Challenger SXT model and Challenger SXT Plus package feature the lightweight, aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with 305 horsepower, responsive 268 lb.-ft. of torque and up to 27 mpg highway. With legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engines under their hoods, the 2012 Challenger R/T model delivers up to 375 horsepower, 410 lb.-ft. of torque and 25 mpg highway.

Dodge Durango

Durango has driving dynamics unlike what you typically find in a Sport Utility. No other SUV on the road compares with the all-new Dodge Durango’s distinctive bold Dodge design that craftily houses a spacious three-row, seven-passenger functional, flexible and premium interior, covered in soft-touch materials.

Durango offers standard seven-passenger seating, best-in-class power, best-in-class towing, best-in-class driving range of more than 550 miles, more than 30 storage areas, 28 seating configurations and a rear cargo area of nearly 85 cubic feet that fits a six-foot couch with room for coffee table or a 10-foot ladder with the front passenger seat folded flat.

Dodge Grand Caravan

The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to lead the segment it created. New for 2012, Dodge is offering a new American Value Package (AVP), which makes the best-selling minivan ever the most affordable minivan with a starting U.S. Manufacturers’ Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $20,995 (all prices exclude destination).

Chrysler Group invented the modern minivan in 1983 with the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Seventy-five minivan-first innovations and 13 million minivan sales later, the company still leads the way with the best, most innovative vehicle to move people and things.

Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 offers a variety of models for customers who rely on their trucks for work and play. In addition to the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 which produces 390 horsepower, 407 lb.-ft. of torque and 20 mpg, the 2012 Ram 1500 offers a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter V-8 providing 310 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 3.7-liter V-6 generating 215 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque; five and six-speed automatic transmissions; part-time and on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer cases and 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 and 4.10 axle ratios.

The 2012 Ram 1500 is offered in Regular Cab, Quad Cab® and Crew Cab models, with three box lengths: 8-foot (Regular Cab), 6-foot-4-inches (Regular Cab and Quad Cab), and 5-foot-7-inches (Ram 1500 Crew Cab). Thirteen trim levels are available, each with a unique appearance: Tradesman, tradesman Heavy Duty, Express, Outdoorsman, ST, SLT, Sport, Sport R/T, Lone Star, Big Horn, Mossy Oak, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn.