Los Angeles--Four Wheeler, the nation's oldest and most prestigious four-wheel drive publication, announced that the Dodge Power Wagon has been named the winner of its coveted Pickup Truck of the Year award for 2005. The in-depth street and trail test has been held annually since 1989, and the win marks Dodge's fifth in the competition.
This year's competitors included six new pickup trucks: The Power Wagon, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, Ford F-250 Super-Duty, Chevrolet Silverado gas-electric hybrid, and Toyota Tacoma. To qualify for the competition, a vehicle must be entirely new or sport substantial revisions from a previous model year.
"With the Power Wagon, Dodge has established a benchmark," said Four Wheeler Feature Editor Robin Stover. "The Power Wagon is the first and only pickup built to represent the interest of four-wheel drive owners who want a truck that can play as hard as it works. Combining electronic locking differentials, an automatic swaybar, a winch and a factory warranty, Dodge has an inarguable recipe for success among four-wheel-drive enthusiasts."
Added Senior Editor Ken Brubaker, "The Power Wagon could well be the perfect full-size pickup. It can effortlessly scamper up rocky, off-camber terrain like a mountain goat, can tow up to 11,000 pounds, and seats six comfortably. Ultimately, the Power Wagon's stunning versatility earned it the top spot."
The Dodge handily won the On-Road Ride & Drive and Off-Road Ride & Drive categories of the weeklong competition, which included mountain trails, desert sand, and every type of terrain in between. With a powerful V-8 Hemi engine, a driver-adjustable suspension, and electronic locking differentials, the Power Wagon excelled in virtually every sort of driving environment.
Four Wheeler is published monthly by Primedia Inc. Complete test results and evaluations of all the competitors will be available in the January 2005 issue, on sale November 23, 2004.
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Click here to read Four Wheeler's preview test of the Power Wagon.
Click here to read Four Wheeler's Pickup Truck of the Year test and evaluation of the Power Wagon.