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Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Pickup Trucks Just Won Best Truck of Texas at the Texas Truck Rodeo
Every fall they roll into the North Texas town of Decatur to throw down: Rams and Ineoses and Tundras and Nissans. They run the off-road course at Eagles Canyon Raceway with automotive writers at the wheel. The writers will measure, test and evaluate the performance of each truck and how it conquers, or doesn't, the off-road obstacles laid out on the hilly Texas grassland, all to determine the best pickup truck of Texas. The Texas Truck Rodeo is an annual gathering of the Texas Auto Writers Association, a group of truck-savvy off-road experts who are also journalists, YouTube personalities and content creators. This is not a competition for the middling off-roader; there are hills, ditches and creeks and in many cases, 4WD know-how is required. The winners were just announced at the Houston Auto Show where guests can see and test drive most of these trucks. Or, head to your local auto show or dealership to see the best trucks on the road. Here are the winners, as well as the contenders for the Best Trucks of Texas. This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used. After a day of driving by the 50 or so TAWA members, they'll vote on the best pickup truck of Texas in several categories: Full size, mid-size and luxury. Semi-finalists in each category are eligible to be named the Truck of Texas. Additionally, jurors vote on best towing, best powertrain and best driver assist systems. For 2025 the winners of those categories are: Best Towing Technology: Toyota Wireless Trailer Camera System Best Powertrain: Ram 1500 3.0L Hurricane High Output Straight-Six Turbo Best Driver Assist or Safety Feature: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Read: Which Family SUVs Go Off-Road with Rugged Double Duty and Durability? Competition classes: Off-Road, Full Size Pickup Truck, Luxury Truck; Priced from $44,125 The Ram 1500 got a full makeover for 2024 with a whole new look, a new Hurricane engine option and even more luxuries, which is saying a lot; it was pretty luxe before, but the new Tungsten trim puts the possibilities over the top. Also new to the Ram 1500, and not exclusive to the top end, is the UConnect multimedia system on a standard 12' screen or an upgraded 14.5' screen; it's customizable and voice activated, so you never have to take hands or eyes off the trail. Last year Ram introduced the Tungsten trim as the top of the line, a glowingly gorgeous pickup with luxuries such as quilted leather seats, front and rear heated seats, digital phone-as-key technology and a premium sound system with 23 speakers. With a starting price of $87,000, the Tungsten model is also the most powerful, driven by a 6-cylinder 540 HP engine. Other Ram 1500 specs include: Tow Capacity: 8,110 lbs. (up to 11,500 in the Hurricane) Engine: V6 Transmission 9 speed automatic with shift by wire Drivetrain: 4 wheel drive 305 HP 269 Torque Ground Clearance: 8.4' Competition classes:Off Road, Mid-size Pickup Truck, Luxury Truck; Priced from $39,400 Fresh off a full makeover, the Toyota Tacoma is sparking in all its new features and ready to get dirty on the trail. So ready, in fact, that there are two off-road versions: TRD Off-Road and Trailhunter. The TRD model is better for rock and sand crawling, while the Trailhunter is designed for higher speed Baja-type driving. Inside, all Toyota Tacoma models are updated with Toyota's new multimedia system, larger screen and all the comforts, including plenty of of hand grips, which you'll need. Engine: 4-cylinder turbo hybrid Transmission: 8-speed automatic Drivetrain: 4 wheel drive 326 hp 465 torque Tow capacity: up to 6,500 lbs. Competition class: compact pickup truck; Priced from $28,500 The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a fun pickup truck has produced remarkable results from its humble DNA. Built on the platform of the Hyundai Tucson compact SUV, the Santa Cruz was adapted to be the ultimate weekend sport truck. But then, Hyundai further adapted it to run it in the Rebelle Rally where it proved its capability. We love the Santa Cruz for its comfortable interior, lockable truck bed and agile, manageable size, which is one of the things that makes it a master on the off-road course. Tow Capacity: up to 5,000 lbs. Engine: 4-cylinder Transmission 8-speed automatic Drivetrain: All wheel drive option 191 HP 181 Torque Ground Clearance: 8.6' Competition classes: Off Road, Luxury Pickup Truck; Priced from $88,500 The Ineos Grenadier might be the luxury truck of the century, not just the year. Ineos, perhaps better known as an F1 sponsor and provider of racing fuel, is also the company that builds luxury off-roaders Grenadier SUV and Greandier Quartermaster, the truck version of the SUV. Ultra rugged and capable, the Quartermaster adds a pickup truck bed to the Grenadier framework, allowing for luxury and more capability. 6-cylinder turbo built by BMW Transmission: 8-speed automatic Drive train: 4 wheel drive Tow Capacity: 7,716 pounds Ground Clearance: 10.3 inches Maximum Wading Depth: 31.5 inches Competition classes: Off Road, Mid-size Pickup Truck; Priced from $41,150 We are fans of the redesigned Honda Ridgeline for a lot of reasons: an improved transmission and better engine, it's all wheel drive only and it's designed for handling more rugged roads including off-road driving. Honda also updated the interior with a new multimedia system and passenger comforts, filling in what it needed to make this truck a go-to for Honda fans need for every day and adventurous weekends. For the off-road competition, Honda brought the Trailsport edition which adds skid plates and all-terrain tires for even better off-road performance. Related: How do these Crossover AWD SUVs compare in the Rebelle Rally? Key Specs: Tow Capacity: 5,000 lbs. Engine: V6 Transmission 9-speed automatic with shift by wire Drivetrain: All wheel drive 280 HP 262 Torque Ground Clearance: 7.64' Competition classes: Off Road, Mid-size Pickup Truck; Priced from $37,690 We love compact pickup trucks on the off road course for their ability and agility. But if they look good, all the better. Nissan recently updated the Frontier with a new exterior look including a new grille and lights, and new wheels for the PRO-X and PRO-4X models. Adding to the off-road capability is a surround view camera with that now works at higher speeds for more confident off-roading. Adding to overall comfort are a larger touch screen with more function and a sliding rear window. Tow Capacity: 7,150 lbs. (max) Engine: V6 Transmission 9-speed automatic Drivetrain: 4 wheel drive 310 HP 281 Torque Ground Clearance: 7.8' Competition classes: Off Road, Full Size Pickup Truck; Priced from $44,960 When Toyota started the redesign journey of its full model lineup a few years ago, the first to get a makeover was the Tundra pickup truck. And it wowed. More off-road capability. More tech. An ode to the Toyota heritage, inside and out. And hybrid power that delivers both more performance and better fuel economy. The Tundra was named the Truck of Texas in 2024 and it's back to see if it can stage a repeat. Engine: V6 twin turbo hybrid, 437 Horsepower 583 lb-ft of Torque 10-speed automatic transmission Drivetrain: 4 wheel drive on demand Tow capacity: up to 12,000 lbs. Not all trucks are represented at the Texas Truck Rodeo this year; some truck makers choose not to compete, others are waiting for next year and a new model that'll show up the competition. The winners of the best pickup truck competition become semifinalists eligible to be named the Truck of Texas, which will be announced later this fall. Follow the hashtag #txtruckrodeo24 on Instagram to see all the fun. Trucks are not the only thing that the Texas Auto Writers Association evaluates at the Truck Rodeo; they also test SUVs. A lot of SUVs, one of which will be named the SUV of Texas this fall, too. More must-reads: Tasks Are More Fun in the 2023 Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000 Texas Edition Road Trip: Discover the Treasures of Southwest Virginia
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ram 1500 Wins Full-size Truck of Texas Award for Seventh Consecutive Year at Texas Truck Rodeo
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ram brand takes home four awards at the annual Texas Truck Rodeo competition Ram 1500 wins Full-size Pickup Truck of Texas for the seventh consecutive year, Luxury Pickup Truck of Texas for the ninth consecutive year Ram Heavy Duty Rebel earns the title of Heavy Duty Pickup Truck of Texas and extends Ram's dominance in the Heavy Duty category for an eighth consecutive year The Ram 3.0L Hurricane High Output Straight-Six Turbo engine wins Best Powertrain award Ram earned top honors at the annual Texas Truck Rodeo, hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA). Members cast their votes after a full day of on- and off-road vehicle evaluations, including 262 drives on the event route. Consideration is given to everything from exterior/interior styling and off-road capability to the entrant's overall utility, value and performance. "Ram trucks delivered outstanding performance once again this year, securing multiple consecutive awards, including the Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas," Cory Fourniquet, TAWA president, said. "This achievement is particularly noteworthy as Texas is known as the truck capital of the U.S." Overall, Ram brand took home an impressive four awards, including: Full-Size Pickup Truck: 2025 Ram 1500 Luxury Pickup Truck: 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten Heavy Duty Truck: 2024 Ram Heavy Duty Rebel Best Powertrain: Ram 3.0L Hurricane High Output Straight-Six Turbo TAWA Founded in 1987, the Texas Auto Writers Association has grown to become one of the most recognized and reputable automotive media organizations in the industry. TAWA's mission is to promote quality and accuracy in automotive content creation and to disseminate information about the automotive industry through news-related print, online and broadcast media. For more information, visit Ram Brand Ram offers a full lineup of pickups and commercial vehicles; the Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab and ProMaster vans. The Ram Light-Duty and Heavy Duty pickups are considerably improved for 2025 and offer new products in the fastest growing segment within the pickup space—Sport Trucks. Ram introduced the largest variety of off-road performance trucks the brand has ever offered, including the new Ram 1500 RHO with more horsepower per dollar than any other performance off-road pickup. In the commercial business, Ram is launching the new 2025 Chassis Cab line with improvements to help customers and upfitters. Ram Professional is making considerable changes in process, execution and resources with a focus on commercial offerings, dedicated B2B-focused expertise, and sales and service support, which are critical to growing in this segment. Ram continues to outperform the competition, setting the benchmark in the most important areas for truck buyers: Segment-first: 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel Most luxurious: Ram 1500 Tungsten with air suspension, 24-way massage seats and 540 horsepower Ram 1500 and Heavy Duty: Best ride and handling with five-link solid rear axle with available, segment-exclusive, active-level air suspension Ram 1500 RHO: Best off-road performance per dollar Ram ProMaster: The most cargo space available in any traditional full size cargo van Ram Power Wagon: Most off-road capable full-size pickup Ram is improving market competitiveness and growth while maintaining pricing power through products, services and electrified offerings. Aligned under the global presence of the Stellantis Pro One commercial vehicle organization, Ram currently offers a wide range of products globally, from the Ram 700 compact pickup to the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab and a range of ProMaster vans. Ram is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit Follow Ram and company news and video on:Company blog: website: Truck brand: @RamTrucks, @StellantisNAYouTube: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Stellantis Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lexus GX 550 Named SUV of Texas
All-New Luxury Utility Vehicle Wins the Top Honor at the Texas Auto Writers Association Annual Truck Rodeo PLANO, Texas, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The all-new, third-generation Lexus GX 550 Luxury Utility Vehicle was awarded the title SUV of Texas by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at their 31st annual Texas Truck Rodeo event. "The GX 550 is a testament to the perfect blend of offroad capability and sophisticated luxury," said Cynthia Tenhouse, vice president, Lexus marketing. "It's breadth of choice across six grades offers drivers the durability and reliability they need in everyday life, while inspiring them to take their next adventure both on and off the trail." TAWA awarded the all-new Toyota Tacoma the other top award at the Truck Rodeo: Truck of Texas. It also voted on category and technical awards at the media drive event. The GX 550 earned Midsize SUV of Texas, while the Tacoma is Midsize Truck of Texas. Toyota's Wireless Trailer Camera received the Best Towing Technology award, and the Best Driver Assist or Safety Feature went to Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0/Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. The much-anticipated 2024 Lexus GX is ready for adventure with an unparalleled combination of elegant features, off-road capability and luxurious quality. It features a highly capable and efficient twin-turbocharged 3.4L V6 engine paired with a 10-speed Direct Shift Automatic Transmission, with an improved EPA-estimated highway fuel economy rating of 21 MPG. The twin-turbo V6 produces 349 horsepower, outperforming the previous generation V8's 301 horsepower, and torque output also rises to a massive 479 lb.-ft. The GX is offered in six grades: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, and the all-new Overtrail and Overtrail+. Known for its off–road prowess since the beginning, the 2024 GX continues that legacy. Full-Time 4WD is standard for consistent responsiveness in varied terrain. Designed to inspire customers around the world to explore nature through refined adventures, the new Overtrail and Overtrail+ grades come with standard 33-inch All-Terrain tires/18-inch wheels. TAWA's annual Texas Truck Rodeo brings together journalists to evaluate automakers' latest trucks and SUVs on an off-road course and a street drive. The fall event was held at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas. Vehicles from the world's top manufacturers were evaluated on interior, exterior, value, performance, and personal appeal. "The SUV of Texas award is prestigious and competitive, and the Lexus GX was a huge hit at the Truck Rodeo," said TAWA President Cory Fourniquet. "The GX impressed our members with its luxury, technology and off-road capability." TAWA is a Texas-based nonprofit association for automotive journalists promoting professionalism and quality in journalism for more than two decades. TAWA has grown to become one of the most influential and recognized automotive journalist associates in the U.S. The group produces two annual events – Texas Auto Roundup and Texas Truck Rodeo – that allow members to experience vehicles from various manufacturers in one place, at one time. For more information on the Lexus GX, visit the Lexus Newsroom. About ToyotaToyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota's plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 31 electrified options. Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved communities near the company's U.S. operating sites. For more information about Toyota, visit About Lexus Lexus' passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With nine models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers. Media Contact:Greg ThomeToyota Motor North View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lexus Sign in to access your portfolio
