The annual Texas Truck Rodeo has evolved into one of the fiercest competitions that automakers can undertake, with the event pushing many new pickup and utility models to there limits. After that is done, members from the Texas Auto Writer Association (TAWA) get together, and vote for one SUV and pickup offering that has what it takes to earn the Best of Texas category as well as other honors. The organization went full circle, and announced all the award winners earlier today at the San Antonio Auto and Truck Show.
In the truck category, Ram managed to achieve a back to back performance, with the Ram 1500 being named Truck of Texas for the second time in a row. This strong finish is yet another example of Ram’s resurgence in the pickup truck segment over the past few years, with the current generation Ram 1500 shaking up the established pecking order when it dethroned the Silverado for second place, with only the bench mark F-150 still standing in the way of the Ram achieving first place in the pickup sales race. Meanwhile, the recently launched Kia Telluride continued its winning ways, with the SX model earning SUV of Texas honors at the event.
“Our journalist members were impressed with the continued capability and refinement in the Ram product line, particularly the 1500 compared to the domestic competitors at the event,” said Michael Marrs, TAWA’s president. “They also were impressed by the level of luxury and value in the new Telluride. It delivers a lot of practicality and comfort for Texas families.”
Ram in particular had a strong showing at this year’s event, with the brand winning more awards than any other firm at the prestigious event. In addition to winning Truck of Texas honors, Ram also won the heavy duty, luxury, and full-size truck categories as well as several other awards for some of the innovative features that Ram engineers bestowed onto the truck. Toyota was not far behind, with the brand winning four awards including honors in the mid-size and full-size categories for both the RAV4 as well as the larger Sequoia full-size SUV. The Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler won the mid-size pickup and off-road SUV categories while Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, and Volvo took home awards in other categories.
We have included the complete list of award winners which can be seen below.
2020 Truck of Texas:Â 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel
2020 SUV of Texas:Â 2020 Kia Telluride SX
Subcompact Sport Utility Vehicle of Texas: 2019 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
Compact Sport Utility Vehicle of Texas: 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle of Texas: 2020 KiaTelluride SX
Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle of Texas: 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro
Compact Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle of Texas: 2020 Acura RDX A-Spec SH-AWD
Mid-Size Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle of Texas: 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription
Full-Size Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle of Texas: 2020 Lexus GX 460 Luxury
Mid-Size Pickup Truck of Texas: 2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland
Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas: 2020 RAM 1500 Rebel
Heavy Duty Pickup Truck of Texas: 2019 RAM 2500 Laramie Longhorn
Luxury Pickup Truck of Texas: 2020 RAM 1500 Limited
Off-Road Pickup Truck of Texas: 2019 RAM 2500 Power Wagon
Commercial Vehicle of Texas: 2019 Mercedes Sprinter Passenger 4×4
Off-Road Sport Utility Vehicle of Texas: 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Best Infotainment System: RAM Uconnect System & Touchscreen Display
Best Powertrain: RAM EcoDiesel
Best Towing: RAM Rear Air Suspension
Best Safety Feature: Toyota Safety Sense P
Best Driver Assist System: Toyota Panoramic View & Multi-Terrain Monitor