Toyota Highlander, Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Top Consumer Reports Best Vehicles of 2014

Washington DC August 26, 2014; The AIADA newsletter reported that the Chrysler Group's Ram 1500 EcoDiesel was named the top full-size pickup truck in the U.S. market and Toyota's Highlander the top mid-size SUV by Consumer Reports yesterday.

Reuters reported that the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel's superior fuel economy ratings of 20 miles per gallon overall and 27 mpg on the highway helped push it over the top in the competitive field, edging the second-place Ram 1500 V8. Toyota Motor Corp's Highlander took the top two spots in its category. The hybrid version was first among midsize SUVs and the gasoline version second. The redesigned Highlander averaged 25 miles per gallon overall in its hybrid version, and towed an impressive 3,500 pounds.

Chrysler's Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel version was third in the ratings, followed by Hyundai Motor Co.'s Santa Fe, and Nissan Motor Co.'s Murano. Toyota last week announced that it would increase production of the Highlander at its plant in Indiana by investing $100 million and adding 300 jobs by the summer of 2016. Consumer Reports says it gathers at least a year of field data on a vehicle's reliability before it offers a "recommended" rating. For more on the rankings, click here.