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
Compact Car
Winner: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Runner-up: 2018 Volkswagen Golf R
Midsize Car
Winner: 2018 Toyota Camry
Runner-up: 2018 Volkswagen Passat
Full-size Car
Winner: 2019 Toyota Avalon
Runner-up: 2018 Honda Accord
Full-Size Luxury Car
Winner: 2018 Lexus LS 500
Runner-up: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Performance Compact
Winner: 2018 Honda Civic Type R
Runner-up: 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Performance Coupe
Winner: 2018 Lexus LC 500
Runner-up: 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody
Performance Sedan
Winner: 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Runner-up: 2018 Kia Stinger
Supercar
Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GT R
Runner-up: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Minivan
Winner: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited
Runner-up: 2016 Toyota Sienna Limited
Activity Vehicle
Winner: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Runner-up: 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Performance Utility
Winner: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Runner-up: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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