Ram 1500 Picks Up Top Rating from Consumer Reports

Chrysler Group has something to celebrate as Consumer Reports has named the 2013 Ram 1500 its top full-size pickup truck. Explaining the top rating, Consumer Reports writes, "The updated truck delivered impressive performance in our tests, balancing work capability and refinement in a way that sees it outscore established domestic- and foreign-nameplate competitors."

This isn't the first award the 2013 Ram 1500 has won. It's the most recent winner of the North American Truck of the Year award. The 2013 model has some significant updates, including a more luxurious interior, better fuel economy and tweaks to the suspension to improve the truck's ride. The Ram 1500 is the only full-size pickup truck in the U.S. that uses a coil spring suspension. Reviewers like how the setup makes the Ram 1500 less bouncy and more comfortable than other full-size pickups.
The Wall Street Journal reports, "The top ranking from Consumer Reports is yet another vote of confidence at a time when Chrysler is trying to gain ground against competitors General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. Already, the Ram brand has managed to pick up market share from rivals. Ram sales in the first half of this year were up 23%, according to AutoData Corp."
While it seems to be all good news for the Ram 1500, USA Today writes that the truck can't afford to rest on its laurels. The paper points out that Consumer Reports hasn't finished testing the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, which is all new. Consumer Reports says, "First impressions are that the Silverado is a comfortable and refined truck that could possibly challenge the Ram in our Ratings."