Tag Archives: texas auto writers

Texas Truck Rodeo – what's your pick? w/poll

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2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser reviewed by txGarage

Truck and SUV of Texas poll by txGarage

The Texas Auto Writers Association are about to invade a quite, country ranch in a secret location within Texas for their annual Texas Truck Rodeo. Here they will be testing out all the new trucks and SUV’s. Taking these trucks on road and off getting the real Texas driving experience and naming the Truck of Texas, the SUV of Texas, and more.

Unfortunately we won’t be making the event this year but thought it was worth putting out this poll to see what you guys thought was really the Truck of Texas and the SUV of Texas. Continue reading →

Texas Auto Writers Name the SUV of Texas

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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Out of all the great new SUVs hitting the market in 2011, what would you pick as your favorite? Would it fall under the Chrysler umbrella? I wouldn’t think so either, but the TAWA has named their 2011 SUV of Texas and it’s the all new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

With new looks on the outside and nice interior, largely based on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, on the inside, we can see why the Grand Cherokee would be in the running for the SUV of Texas. The Grand Cherokee is also packed with a 360 hp 390 lb-ft of torque, 5.7 liter V8. As this SUV has been getting pretty rave reviews from others in the auto journalist world, it’s not too much of a surprise that it has won over the TAWA.

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Texas Auto Writers Name Truck of Texas

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2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn

2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn

Not a big surprise here, but the TAWA has named their 2011 Truck and Truck Line of Texas. Brining in the top award is Ford, with the F-Series of trucks named the Truck Line of Texas. The TAWA pointed out the forever loved Raptor and the all new Eco-Boost V6 in the F-150 as reasons for the superb win by Ford.

The Truck of Texas, however, was awarded to the 2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn Edition. This is a bit of an upset to Ford as the F-150 is usually in this top spot as well. The new Ram Laramie Longhorn Edition wins on longest name-plate for sure, but it also packs great “Texan” looks and tons of power.

The Full-Size Pickup of Texas is the 2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Crew Cab 4×4. The Mid-Size Truck of Texas is the great, and one of the only lasting, 2011 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4×2 Texas Edition. The Luxury Pickup of Texas is the 2011 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Edition, also robbed from the F-150 King Ranch. Lastly, they named the 2011 Ram Power Wagon Crew Cab 4×4 as the Heavy Duty Truck of Texas. The Outstanding Truck Feature of Texas was named to Ford for the MyFord Touch.

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Texas Auto Writers Name CUV of Texas

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2011 Nissan Juke

2011 Nissan Juke

The Texas Auto Writers Association meets up once a year to name a few vehicles of Texas. Trucks, SUVs, Cars, and CUVs are all tested by the TAWA and awards are handed out. So who won out claiming the title of CUV of Texas? The 2011 Nissan Juke.

Yes, the Nissan Juke was named as the CUV of Texas. Knowing all of the members of the TAWA, this came as a shock to all of us at txGarage, but it goes to show you how great this little car really is. The guys and gals cited the vehicles interesting styling, engaging driving, and 32 mpg highway as reasons for the win.

The Juke comes with a 1.6 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine pushing 188 hp and looks like nothing else out there. I’ve seen pictures of aftermarket companies already lowering them and making them look even more sporty and can’t wait to jump behind the wheel of one ourselves.

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The 2010 Texas Truck Rodeo

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2010 Ford F-150 Truck of Texas

2010 Ford F-150 Truck of Texas

The Texas Auto Writers Association gathered together last weekend for their annual truck event known as the Texas Truck Rodeo. This year it was held in San Antonio where the trucks and SUV’s would be put through the test at the Knibbe Ranch.
Every year, the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) names the Truck of Texas after this event and for the past six years that truck has been the Ford F-150. This year was no different with the new Ford F-150 taking the big prize yet again. For 2010, the F-150 didn’t just get a new look, it got an all around new package. The interior is a nice place to be whether you are roaring down a highway or driving through an open field. The powertrain has been tweaked giving the new F-150 a boost in fuel economy by as much as 12% over the prior year model. The title for Truck of the Year seems to be well deserved for Ford’s hard work on the F-150 year after year.

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