Popular Mechanics 2021 Automotive Excellence Awards Names Chrysler and Ram
Auto publications from all over the country, and the world, are constantly doing their duty to find, test drive, and review all the vehicles on the market they can to find the best. Every year there are too many awards shows to count, along with the awards and “best of” lists by just about every company that has anything to do with automobiles. This time, we’re talking about Popular Mechanics, a popular magazine that covers topics in popular science and technology. Recently, the publication posted its 2021 Automotive Excellence Awards, and two cars you can find at Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram made the list.
Popular Mechanics covers a multitude of topics, including automotive, home, outdoor, electronics, science, do-it-yourself, and technology topics. All types of transportation, space, tools, and gadgets are typically featured, always focused on what’s new. For the 2021 Automotive Excellence Awards, Popular Mechanics tested several key categories to make sure each vehicle on the list was one a consumer could rely on.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
It’s usually the internal combustion engine (ICE) Pacifica we hear about, the original that started it all. With success came the plug-in hybrid Pacifica, although called a “Hybrid” by name. Every trim in the lineup is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery powering an electric motor. The V6 engine can generate up to 260 horsepower, and a nine-speed automatic transmission is the standard. Because it is a plug-in hybrid, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid can travel on just electricity for 33 miles before needing to recharge the battery. With a full tank and battery, this hybrid minivan has a total range of 566 miles.
Convenience and technology are not what people think when they hear “minivan”, but the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid changes that with sliding doors that open and close automatically, and the same can be said for the rear hatch. Sharing the Stow ‘n Go seating features of its parent, the Chrysler Pacifica, the Pacifica Hybrid only sports this feature in the third-row, with the battery taking up the space in the second row. Uconnect 5 on a 10.1-inch touchscreen display begins the fun up front, but Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi can increase the entertainment for the front and rear passengers.
The Ram 1500 Rebel TRX was one of the many long-awaited vehicles Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) promised us before the merger with the PSA Group. Powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine, this light duty pickup truck could generate up to 702 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque. Able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, this was truly the apex predator of pickup trucks. Built off of the best Ram 1500 there is, the Ram1500 Rebel, the very first Ram TRX built was auctioned off for $410,000.
So of course the Ram 1500 TRX would show up on the Popular Mechanics 2021 Automotive Excellence Awards list. It’s not just about speed, either. Capable, the TRX can tow 8,100 pounds and can carry a payload of 1,310 pounds in the bed. Inside the TRX is a 12-inch touchscreen featuring Uconnect 4C NAV, and the Ram 1500 was the first vehicle to experience SiriusXM with 360L and Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora. Equipped with the class-exclusive 900-watt premium Harman Kardon audio system with 19 speakers and 10-inch subwoofer.
It’s clear why these two vehicles landed on the 2021 Automotive Excellence Awards this year. You can find either at Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. Looking for a family vehicle with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, or some fast and powerful with the Ram 1500 TRX?