We drove the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups earlier this year, and for the most part, loved them. They ride better than any other truck on the market, post better EPA fuel economy numbers than other gasoline half-ton trucks, and seem to check all the modern technology and safety boxes, along with introducing multiple new cargo solutions.
Yet, it wasn’t enough to woo the judges to win the 2014 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. Why? Because Ram Trucks decided to change the half-ton game with a 1500 EcoDiesel — an engine GM initially developed, no less. Talk about a twist of fate. With this truck came overall class leading fuel economy and superb payload and towing figures. In doing so, the Ram 1500 is the first Motor Trend back-to-back TOTY award winner.
Do you agree with the results? Sound off below.
Comments
Not a big deal!
The Diesel half ton is more of a move than the segment so that had more influence than anything. If GM had released this model not than later they may have gotten the cup.
GM will still out sell Ram by a wide margin and that is what wins the game money and profit.
Yea, I agree with the results. Tho the diesel engine that the Ram uses is a GM joint design, The General had ample enough time to put in a even more powerful & technical efficient diesel engine any 1/2 ton pick would ever seen, but alas….they choose to sit on their hands and follow….that’s the Bad GM that seems to surface every now & again. But I know they will put it to them all real soon!!
I honestly was pulling hard for the GMC Sierra but I understand the call from motortrend. The diesel is just a big game changer in the half ton market. At the same time I think that after looking at the performance numbers of the EcoDiesel I’m a little disappointed from that perspective also, 8.9 seconds 0-60 is pretty slow anyways, I would be curious to see what the performance numbers are while towing, I imagine they go down dramatically even with the 420 FtIb of torque. In the end I think GMC was upset in this race, it was theirs to win but Ram swept it from beneath them, I think its time to dust off the ole 4.5L Duramax and put it in the awesome 2014 Silverado chassis, and take down Ram and Ford in 2015!
Seems typical of GM anymore. A joint engine venture and they choose to get “used” by another mfr. Coulda/shoulda had this award even if they will out sell the Dodge anyway. A diesel half ton truck and an all new design would have had everybody talking and playing catch-up. Now what?
Guys I think you got this all wrong. This is a HUGE deal. Motortrend obviously has a huge crush on Ram, and an even bigger crush on diesel engines. They try to justify having the Ram in this year just a bit too much if you read the article. It’s the same truck, just a different powertrain. Albeit one not seen in roughly 15 years, it’s still not like there has never ever been a diesel in a smaller truck before.
I agree with Motor Trend’s choice of TOTY. As some have mentioned, the diesel engine is practically becoming the new standard of pickups. While I personally like GM’s current line of trucks, I do believe that not enough innovation was brought to the market. The Silverado and Sierra simply played catchup rather than being game changers in this critical segment, at least for the most part. And to make matters worse for GM, Ford has a brand new F-150 on the way. Who knows what new, innovative technology Ford will incorporate into the next F-150.
I have faith in GM that they have some tricks up their sleeves for improvement. . .
If I read the Motor Trend 2014 Truck of the Year article correctly, I think it was the Ram 2500 / 3500 that won the Truck of the Year and not the Ram 1500. The article did not have pictures or specifications on the Ram 1500, nor was it used for its test.
I hope GM engineers can get they act together by the time the 2015 F 1-50 comes to town. Therefore GM, Lets get those damn 10 speed transmissions, a better looking front grill for the Silverado (similar to the 2015 Colorado) and the 4.5 Duramax diesel for 2015. Also, like Dodge, GM engineers should spread that 10-speed throughout the entire Silverado and Sierra engine lineup, to maximize mpg and performance ratings.
However, I do agree with
Some people like the SIlverado’s front grille (me including), I bet you like the Sierra better don’t you? That’s what GM is trying to do! They are trying to get more people to like their product. Some like Chevrolet and some like GMC. Those 10 speeds need to come quick! The 2500HD needs either the 5.3L or 6.2L ECOTEC3 instead of the lazy old 6.0L Vortec. . . .
6.0L might be old, but it’s proven in the case of towing. The HD trucks are also staggered in their launches. The new sheetmetal comes first, then a new frame and powertrain come in for the refresh. Therefore the true next-gen GM HD trucks are still a few years out.
What engine do you think they will put into the HD’s? I think it was sort of stupid to start out with the 6.0L just to change it in a year or two. Although I do understand that it might help a new redesign if it also came with a new engine. I think if the 5.3L had some extra tuning for the HD’s (365HP and 390LB-FT) matched to a 9 or 10 speed auto, it would be the perfect engine! Strong enough to tow and plow as well as drive around town. Yet, light and very agile to get better fuel efficiency. .
So GM changes almost everything about their 1/2 tons and nothing. Meanwhile, Ram uses a new engine (a GM designed engine), and picks up 2014 TOTY? I never did like motor trend, and this seals it.
I don’t understand the diesel craze either. What is it about diesel that gets everyone off? A few more mpg and relatively high torque? Sounds good, til it all goes for sh*t. I know so many people with gas powered chevys that run forever, and pull everything, while I know 0 people with diesels that have been “trouble free”. Whether it be Ford, Ram or Chevy, they all have their issues. I can’t imagine a smaller diesel being any more reliable. Just like a jetta.
I’m a hypocrite in my own way. In the back of my mind, it irks me that there wasn’t brought to the table enough new technology and innovation. Just because some people -myself included- like the Silverado/Sierra for being a traditional pickup, the market demands change. An aspect that GM hasn’t delivered on for a while now. Personally I don’t blame them, however I’d like to see the General make a bunch of conquest sales based on the design and tech.
I wonder how much money dodge had to pay in advertising dollars to get this one
Sigh… Shaking my head at this. Let’s just wait and see, I’m confident GM has something very good up it’s sleeves. The GM truck designers/engineers waiting to start trolling Ford and Ram once all the hype is gone in one or two years, there has to be something going on over at the Ren Cen that we don’t know about.
I am thinking that we will see cam in cam tech (independent VVT) in the gen 5’s before too long. Could be why they moved the coolant pump to the side, more torque, HP and mpg!
GM had the chance to utilize the 3.0L V6 diesel in some capacity, but decided not to. They also could have pulled the 4.5L duramax out of “storage”? No again. I’m guessing it simply is about the money. I believe GM (and Ford) make such a fat profit on the HD ( and Super Duty) diesel trucks that by offering a capable 1/2 ton diesel, you compromise those huge dollars made on the bigger ones?
If GM decided to actually use the 4.5L Duramax, ( I don’t think we will ever see it under the current regime), the option cost would likely be very high $6K+ anyway? Dodge/Ram has decided to offer the Eco-diesel in 6 different trim levels. It will be possible to get one with an MSRP under $40K, making it accessible to the masses.
Come on! Cut them some slack! That’s not fair to resort to such thinking! The same could be said about the 2014 Cadillac CTS COTY award. At the end of the day , Ram has the better truck. Let’s just wait and see how GM responds down the line.
I am assuming that you are talking about Brian’s comment “I wonder how much money dodge had to pay in advertising dollars to get this one”
The Cadillac remark: You could say that about the CTS MT COTY Award, but there is proof in the fact that many people have tested it already and loved everything about it!
Dodge does not have the better truck, it is old and has a super plastic interior (yes, they might have a better powertrain/drivetrain lineup with the 3.0L TDI and 8-Speed). I hate all foreign cars, but I personally think that the new Tundra is better than any Ram on the market. . .
Even Consumer Reports says that the Silverado is the top rated truck! Keep in mind that those words are coming from CR! CR is usually really biased towards foreign vehicles but they love the Silverado! That truly says a lot.
Yes indeed! Perfect call. Completely endorsed! You know why? All this talk about truck buyers being “conservative” and how the Silverado and Sierra have “bold styling” and ALL the rest of the rhetorical crap still renders both trucks to an also-ran position. So what is really going to happen when a new Ram truck comes out in a few years? What then? Those people claiming that GM will eventually pull rabbits out of their hat with some “trick” for improvement are insane. If GM feels it can “trick” people with so-called improvements then they are dead wrong and the market will shun those weak efforts. The GM trucks remind me of old GM tactics of making a vehicle just good enough because the buyers will come anyway. This is NOT the GM that Bob Lutz worked so hard to rebuild. I hate these trucks to their very core and am happy that they are being shown the door by people who are simply not in love with GM enough to accept mediocrity. Remember, folks, this is the very same magazine that has deemed our beloved Cadillac CTS as its car of the year. I trust their judgement on both accounts.
People are loyal to their brands when it comes to trucks, me the same. I loved my dad’s 2002 Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab 4X4 LT when I drove it for my first car, err truck. I do not see mediocrity in the new Silverado/Sierra, I see a major improvement over the 2007-2014. Better powertrains, a more luxurious interior and arguably better looks. . .
I can clearly see that you are repulsed by the new trucks, but a ton of people do in fact love them!
Why do you “hate these trucks to their very core”? I am not disagreeing, just wondering. . .