[Diesel Washington]

MotorWeek carries out its Driver's Choice Awards annually. This year MotorWeek awarded the Ram 1500 its Best Pickup Truck Award.

MotorWeek decides on its awards by asking its editors to judge vehicles in a variety of categories based on "factors mattering most to consumers - price, practicality, performance and fuel efficiency."

As for the reasons why they chose the Ram 1500 specifically, MotorTrend had this to say:

This may have been our toughest decision in all of our Drivers’ Choice voting: Best Pickup Truck. While there is a lot to love about the more fuel efficient and capable Chevrolet Silverado and even tougher looking Toyota Tundra, it was the Ram 1500 that was our only repeat winner for 2014.

We loved it last year for both its handsome new style and fuel efficient V6 gasoline powertrain, but this year our crush is the result of bringing the manliest of all powertrains to the ½-ton market, a diesel! Its 3.0-liter turbo-oil burning V6 puts down 420 lb-ft. of torque for a 9,200-pound tow rating and over 25 miles-per-gallon for commuting duty.

With big truck performance, luxury sedan comfort, and now ultimate manliness under the hood, it’s no wonder the Ram 1500 wins again.

A big reason for the win was the Ecodiesel engine, something that other brands are not offering at the moment. In a segment that is very hotly contested, winning an award like this may actually be something to be proud of. Often times these awards are just a pat on the back, but awards in this category may be a bit more highly prized since it seems as though the race is tight.

Check out the full list of award winners here --> MotorWeek Presents the 2014 Drivers' Choice Awards | MotorWeek

 

[Sock Puppet]

Not surprised at all. GM missed the mark, Ford had no real innovation this year, and Toyota suffers really poor fuel economy. Ram definitely has the momentum, but I hope they don't stop now.

 

[tugboat]

congrats to ram!

 

[L.O.A.]

Not surprised at all. GM missed the mark, Ford had no real innovation this year, and Toyota suffers really poor fuel economy. Ram definitely has the momentum, but I hope they don't stop now.

Isn't toyota's fuel economy issue due to how dated their engines are? I heard something like that, don't know too much about the japs.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Isn't toyota's fuel economy issue due to how dated their engines are? I heard something like that, don't know too much about the japs.

I think it's a combination of things, but don't pretend to be an expert on Toyotas. They don't use turbos like the Ecoboost, direct injection like GM, or MDS like Ram. They also seem to use fairly low gear ratios. I think their window stickers show EPA numbers of 13/18, which isn't absolutely horrible by full-size truck standards, but they can't advertise anything in the 20s like the big 3 do. A lot of this is due to the smaller base motors the big 3 use, but it still hurts them. Fuel economy is seen as a big issue by many buyers today, so 2-3 rated mpg can make a big difference to a shopper. For guys like me who do a lot of driving every year, that little difference adds up pretty quickly. Toyota is also not known for large rebates like the competition, which could impact their sales.

 

[Panther Dash]

13/18 is pretty sad IMO. When you compare it to the numbers that the competition are posting, it really just isn't going to cut it. I think that the challenge for Ram will be keeping up the momentum and gains that they have got this year. Chevy surely won't be happy being put into third place, and Ford is still riding high in first place. It will take a lot to claim the throne.

 

[L.O.A.]

I think it's a combination of things, but don't pretend to be an expert on Toyotas. They don't use turbos like the Ecoboost, direct injection like GM, or MDS like Ram. They also seem to use fairly low gear ratios. I think their window stickers show EPA numbers of 13/18, which isn't absolutely horrible by full-size truck standards, but they can't advertise anything in the 20s like the big 3 do. A lot of this is due to the smaller base motors the big 3 use, but it still hurts them. Fuel economy is seen as a big issue by many buyers today, so 2-3 rated mpg can make a big difference to a shopper. For guys like me who do a lot of driving every year, that little difference adds up pretty quickly. Toyota is also not known for large rebates like the competition, which could impact their sales.

Yeah im not a pro on Toyota either but know a bit about them. From what I've seen they have't really been too innovative on their trucks and bigger vehicles when it comes to fuel efficiency, still good trucks.

But they have been really innovative with other vehicles.

 

[Scuba diver 71]

Isn't toyota's fuel economy issue due to how dated their engines are? I heard something like that, don't know too much about the japs.

I own a 2010 tundra with 5.7 V8. My combined city/highway average has never gone over 13.5 mpg which is the main reason why I ordered my ram ecodiesel Laramie limited. I drive close to 30k miles a year and 25 mpg will make a huge difference with yearly fuel cost. Tundras are good, very reliable trucks, engines are powerful and super smooth. Just that bad fuel economy. Toyota will do something soon. I bet within 2 years we will see a diesel in Tundra. If not 5.0L cummins than maybe their own 4.6L twin turbo diesel V8.

 

[Scuba diver 71]

I own a 2010 tundra with 5.7 V8. My combined city/highway average has never gone over 13.5 mpg which is the main reason why I ordered my ram ecodiesel Laramie limited. I drive close to 30k miles a year and 25 mpg will make a huge difference with yearly fuel cost. Tundras are good, very reliable trucks, engines are powerful and super smooth. Just that bad fuel economy. Toyota will do something soon. I bet within 2 years we will see a diesel in Tundra. If not 5.0L cummins than maybe their own 4.6L twin turbo diesel V8.

I meant toyota's 4.5L twin turbo diesel.

 

[Accused]

I bet Toyota is the first to do a hybrid truck...

 

[Scuba diver 71]

I bet Toyota is the first to do a hybrid truck...

GM already has a hybrid powertrain used in Tahoe. Why don't they want to offer it in their pickups? Ford has alu sheet metal, ram has ecodiesel, GM so far just cutting gas to cylinders at highway speeds.

 

[Accused]

GM already has a hybrid powertrain used in Tahoe. Why don't they want to offer it in their pickups? Ford has alu sheet metal, ram has ecodiesel, GM so far just cutting gas to cylinders at highway speeds.

that's a vailid point, however if SIlvy is viewed as soft now, whats a hybridized truck going to do to the image then... maybe too big a risk for the franchise...

 

[L.O.A.]

Would anyone here consider buying a hybrid truck?
full electric trucks will be interesting.