2010 Jeep Patriot, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010 Dodge Avenger and 2010 Dodge Journey named Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Picks

Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Dodge Journey earn IIHS Top Safety Pick honors two years in a row for both the 2009 and 2010 model years

Chrysler Group demonstrates continued leadership in occupant protection and overall vehicle engineering capability with almost 15 percent of the total IIHS 2010 Top Safety Picks

Auburn Hills, Mich., Nov 18, 2009 -

Four Chrysler Group LLC vehicles have earned 2010 Top Safety Pick Status. Chrysler Group announced today that the 2010 Dodge Journey, the 2010 Chrysler Sebring when equipped with available Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the 2010 Dodge Avenger when equipped with available ESC and the 2010 Jeep® Patriot with available seat mounted air bag, are 2010 Top Safety Picks according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Dodge Journey have been awarded IIHS Top Safety Picks for both the 2009 and 2010 model years. The 2010 Jeep Patriot joins the trio in the highest possible rating from the nonprofit research organization.

For the 2010 model year, Chrysler Group products comprise almost 15 percent of the total vehicles awarded Top Safety Pick status by the IIHS to automakers. The award recognizes automobiles with ESC that perform well in the Institute's front-impact, side-impact, rear-impact and new for 2010, roof-strength evaluations.

“With the addition of the Jeep® Patriot, Chrysler Group has received four Top Safety Picks in the 2010 model year—a great accomplishment for our company,” said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President—Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. “IIHS’ recognition of our products underscores Chrysler Group’s engineering capability and leadership in occupant protection.”

The 2010 Jeep® Patriot, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010 Dodge Avenger and 2010 Dodge Journey encompass a two-fold approach to safety—passive features combined with accident-avoidance features. Available safety and security features on all four vehicles include ESC with traction control, Brake Assist and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), driver and front-passenger active head restraints, front seat-mounted side airbags and advanced multi-stage front airbags.

“Chrysler showed the most improvement of any automaker for 2010,” said IIHS President Adrian Lund. “These Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge models are part of an elite group that afford the best overall crash protection and have electronic stability control, which can help keep drivers out of crashes altogether.”

Chrysler Group’s four Top Safety Picks all feature the company’s new active head restraint system for front-seat occupants. This new system augments the head restraints ability to minimize neck injuries caused by rear-impact accidents. In the event of a rear impact, the head restraints deploy to remove the space between the occupants head and the restraint to help minimize whiplash type injuries.

Scott Burgess / The Detroit News

The Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups are all business, serious business.
They are the pair of Dodges that feel more like trucks and less like pickups.
But for the 2010 model year, these big rigs -- in all five trim levels -- finally offer interiors and exteriors that are executive worthy, though the truck has blue collar roots. But now architects can finally arrive on job sites in the same vehicle the crews they hire use.

Following the successful launch of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, it was only a matter of time before the brand's heavy-duty trucks adopted the same looks, which are stunningly better. Fortunately for Dodge, that time came sooner. These trucks look great. The big front grille is canted to make the top stick out a little farther than the bottom. It's a bull ready to charge.

From the front, the face is menacing and strong. The big fenders push out and provide wide shoulders and a distinctive look. The lines are robust and curvy, and from every angle, it looks muscle bound. The back offers a spoiler-like shape to the liftgate. This hides the gate's handle and puts your hand in the perfect place to lower it. There's also a giant Ram logo, something many within Dodge refer to as "home plate."

The trucks come with one of two proven powerful engines, the 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi or the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel, a beef cake of a six-cylinder engine that produces 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. However, there's very little with this diesel that feels diesel-ish. It provides excellent pickup onto the highway and enough power to tow a small village. The engines, while not new to the 2500 and 3500, have been tweaked and tuned to provide even more power.

'Big, but smooth drive'

Despite the big engines and leaf spring suspension, the ride was surprisingly smooth and quiet. It still feels big, but it should. It may not be the easiest vehicle to park at a Meijer parking lot, but it can pull a horse trailer across the country. Different cars, different jobs.

While I have no need for a heavy-duty truck, I appreciate those people who do. Some are the weekend boat towers but most are everyday workers who haul lumber, cement mixers, asphalt kettles and just about everything else that holds our world together.

Now, they can do it a little quieter and a little cleaner. When Dodge brought out its new Cummins diesel engine, it ensured that it would meet future emission requirements. With 2010 rules taking effect, the 6.7-liter diesel is ready.

Also, there's no tick, tick, ticking of the injectors leaking into the cabin. And even with the bed empty, the 2500 diesel I drove felt sure footed and provided a good ride on its retuned suspension. I was assured by engineers it gets even better with a few thousand pounds in the back.
Sure enough, later in the day, when I towed a few thousand pounds, the big Rams never flinched.
Dodge also has made an exhaust brake standard on the diesel models. This system helps use the engine to slow the vehicle down and is very helpful when hauling heavy loads by reducing brake fade down big hills. There's also an integrated trailer brake on the dash, though it is mounted left of the steering wheel and would feel more natural on the right hand side.

'In pickups, size matters'

The new heavy-duty pickups come with loads of new features, such as heated and ventilated seats, automatic climate controls, adjustable pedals and 42 storage spaces throughout the cabin. There are even little cubbies under the floor mats in the second row -- like the ones found on minivans. These are the kind of features that can win truck buyers.

Most of all, the seats are comfortable. I found the seats in the previous-generation Ram heavy-duty trucks tough on my back. It's as if the lower back support was fabricated out of plywood. These new seats feel like La-Z-Boy designed them.

There are all of the high tech features too. There's Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operations, a navigation system and most of the other features you'd expect in a luxury car. This one can just carry more stuff.

Dodge eliminated the Quad Cab versions with this model year. Instead, it will offer Crew Cabs and the Mega Cab models, as well as a standard body pickup. The Crew cab adds room to accommodate five people and the Mega Cab -- with its reclining second row -- feels like a football team could fit back there.

Despite what you may have heard, in the pickup world, size matters. And these new Rams are big enough to hang with even the biggest competition.

Sburgess@detnews.com (313) 223-3217