Car of Texas trophy

2018 Texas Auto Roundup

In addition to the Texas Truck Rodeo - their more well-known event held the third week of October - the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) also sponsors an event every spring - the Auto Roundup – that covers cars and utility vehicles.

This year’s affair, sponsored by the Steel Market Development Institute, took place at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas, where 49 automotive journalist members of the association took turns driving 46 of the newest models available in the US market. Vehicles were evaluated during a series of exercises on the 2.5-mile racetrack, exploring the limits of performance cars, while other vehicles were evaluated during a series of slalom, acceleration and braking tests.

Following those events, voting took place for the two major awards (Car of Texas, Family Car of Texas) and fourteen other categories.

2018 TAWA Texas Auto Roundup winners

"Our journalists had a clear decision after driving vehicles at a new venue this year, "said Michael Marrs, TAWA’s president."They thought the new Lexus LC stood out among the competitors for its eye-catching looks and refined but muscular performance on the track."

Here is the list of winners:

Car of Texas: 2018 Lexus LC 500

Family Car of Texas: 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Compact Car

Winner: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Runner-up: 2018 Volkswagen Golf R

2018 Toyota Camry

Midsize Car

Winner: 2018 Toyota Camry

Runner-up: 2018 Volkswagen Passat

2019 Toyota Avalon

Full-size Car

Winner: 2019 Toyota Avalon

Runner-up: 2018 Honda Accord

2018 Lexus LS 500

Full-Size Luxury Car

Winner: 2018 Lexus LS 500

Runner-up: 2019 Infiniti QX50

2018 Honda Civic Type R

Performance Compact

Winner: 2018 Honda Civic Type R

Runner-up: 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2018 Lexus LC 500

Performance Coupe

Winner: 2018 Lexus LC 500

Runner-up: 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody

2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Performance Sedan

Winner: 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Runner-up: 2018 Kia Stinger

2018 Mercedes-Benz GT R

Supercar

Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GT R

Runner-up: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

2018 Chrysler Pacifica

Minivan

Winner: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited

Runner-up: 2016 Toyota Sienna Limited

2018 Infiniti QX80

Activity Vehicle

Winner: 2018 Infiniti QX80

Runner-up: 2018 Jeep Wrangler

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Performance Utility

Winner: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Runner-up: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Green Vehicle

Winner: 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Runner-up: 2018 Honda Clarity

Best Technology

Winner: World’s First Production-Ready Variable Compression Ratio Engine, 2019 Infiniti QX50

Best New Interior

Winner: 2019 Toyota Avalon Touring