Autoweek's Best of the Best/Truck finalists for 2014

Every year, hundreds of new cars and trucks pass through our fleet for evaluation, and we're always on the lookout for those dazzling few deserving more careful scrutiny for our top honors: The Autoweek Best of the Best. We strive to do our judging under the radar with as little manufacturer knowledge as possible. We test for the Best of the Best by checking drivetrain, ride quality, handling, exterior styling and the like. We also consider more hard-to-define aspects such as value -- and, of course, fun! Ambitious? Perhaps. But definitely worth the effort.

It's down to three cars and three trucks. The victors -- those with the most points once testing is done -- will be announced in the Dec. 23 issue of Autoweek magazine. For now, here are the finalists in the truck category -- if you missed our Best of the Best cars, check them out here.

Jeep
The Jeep Cherokee resurrects a nameplate close to enthusiasts' hearts.

Reviving a sacred nameplate is no easy task, but that's precisely what Jeep is doing in returning the Cherokee name to the lineup for 2014. If that isn't enough, it's also debuting an interesting new face for Jeep, one narrower and more aerodynamic. Two engine offerings include a 2.4-liter I4 and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. Both come paired with a ZF nine-speed automatic transmission. Trail Rated abilities are expected of a Jeep, and the Cherokee packs those, but can it draw in casual small SUV shoppers who aren't so enamored with venturing off paved roads? We think the Cherokee certainly has a shot.

BASE PRICE: $23,990

DRIVETRAIN: 2.4-liter, 184-hp, 171-lb-ft I4; FWD, nine-speed automatic

FUEL ECONOMY (EPA CITY/HWY/COMBINED): 22/31/25 mpg

Chevrolet
The Silverado is available with three engines (4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter V8) and three cab configurations (regular, double, crew).

Any vehicle accounting for a quarter of a nameplate's sales is a huge deal. It's pivotal to get it right when it undergoes a redesign. That's exactly why Chevrolet's new 2014 Silverado is noteworthy, and why it's a finalist. The new Chevy tows and hauls just like you'd expect from a pickup, but the increased level of refinement in ride quality and interior surroundings is off the charts, making the Silverado stand out among the class of new trucks. It's available with three engines (4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter V8) and three cab configurations (regular, double, crew). Chevrolet also focused mightily on turning the cabin into a virtual mobile office with five USB ports, available MyLink infotainment connectivity app, three 12-volt jacks, an SD card reader and a 115-volt, 150-watt wall plug.

BASE PRICE: $24,585

DRIVETRAIN: 4.3-liter, 285-hp, 305-lb-ft V6; RWD, six-speed automatic

FUEL ECONOMY (EPA CITY/HWY/COMBINED): 18/24/20 mpg

Acura
The third-generation has a trimmer figure, new engine, a host of fresh features and a lower entry price with a front-wheel-drive model.

Luxury three-row crossovers are popular, and Acura has been quite successful with its MDX. The third-generation has a trimmer figure, new engine, a host of fresh features and a lower entry price with a front-wheel-drive model. A new direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 with cylinder deactivation delivers improved fuel economy in an MDX that's also lighter, thanks to a body constructed of more high-strength steel, aluminum and magnesium. Dimensionally, it rides lower and isn't as wide, but it is longer. It's less cumbersome to drive on a daily basis than the outgoing model while featuring increased interior legroom. All the changes to the MDX, a favorite of ours, make it more user-friendly and among 2014's strongest new trucks.

BASE PRICE:$43,185

DRIVETRAIN: 3.5-liter, 290-hp, 267-lb-ft V6; FWD, six-speed automatic

FUEL ECONOMY (EPA CITY/HWY/COMBINED): 20/28/23 mpg

By Autoweek Editors