2019 Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler Named Motor Trend Truck, SUV of the Year

The Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler have been named Motor Trend’s 2019 Truck of the Year and 2019 SUV of the Year. In addition to that, the late Sergio Marchionne, former FCA CEO, was posthumously honored as the Person of the Year.

“For 2019, the Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler blew away our Motor Trend editors and Jeep Wrangler blew away our Motor Trend editors and judges by not only delivering class-leading capability for work and play, but truly impressive levels of refinement, technology, style and comfort,” Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh said. “Congratulations to FCA for delivering two real winners.”

Loh also conveyed his admirations for Marchionne as well.

“Sergio was a special leader who salvaged troubled Chrysler and Fiat, saving thousands of jobs across the globe,” Loh said. “He was a man who did not do something unless he was convinced it would be successful. Sergio Marchionne got the work done and he left an indelible mark on the automotive industry.”

The “Of The Year” program is open to any significantly upgraded or all-new 2019 model-year vehicle. Contenders aren’t pitted against each other but tested extensively by Motor Trend to assess virtually every detail of the vehicle. Then, each contender is tested on three different courses at a professional automotive test center ahead of finalist selection.

Testing takes place for weeks and then the judges determine the finalists, not from a direct comparison against other finalists, but how well they perform in six criteria. Those are design advancement, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value and performance for intended function.

“The Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 are significant products at FCA; concurrently winning Motor Trend’s SUV of the Year and Truck of the Year titles is a proud accomplishment, and a testament to the capability and determination of our employees,” FCA CEO Mike Manley said in a press release. “These awards help to acknowledge our team’s tireless efforts to ensure the new Wrangler and the new Ram 1500 stand out in their competitive segments.