The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) has named the all-new Toyota Tundra as the official Truck of Texas for 2022.
More than 50 vehicles were evaluated during the two-day event, held at the Star Hill Ranch outside of Austin, Texas.
Assessing the trucks and SUVs were 44 journalists and writers. Evaluations were made from on-road performance, along with how each vehicle tackled a specially designed off-road course.
2022 Tundra is a winner
The 2022 Tundra was revealed earlier this year, as the third generation of Toyota’s American-made full-size pickup truck. Being manufactured in Texas meant the Tundra had a home-field advantage.
Equipped with a 3.5-l twin-turbo V-6 engine, or optional twin-turbo V-6 hybrid, the new Tundra can tow up to 12,000 lb. New multi-link rear suspension and a host of off-road technology also helped the Tundra to succeed.
TAWA president, Kristin Shaw, said. “TAWA journalists had the privilege of driving the brand-new Tundra on- and off-road at the same time as the national launch. By the end of the Texas Truck Rodeo, our members’ votes were loud and clear: the 2022 Tundra is a winner.”
Official SUV of Texas 2022
Built as a homage to the original luxury SUV of 1962, the new Grand Wagoneer represents a renaissance for Jeep as a premium brand.
Although it lacks the vinyl woodgrain exterior trim of Grand Wagoneers from the 1980s, the new model did enough to be crowned the 2022 SUV of Texas.
It marks a continued run of good form for Stellantis SUVs at the Texas Truck Rodeo. The Dodge Durango took the top prize for 2021, with the Maserati Levante winning the 2019 event.
Stellantis wins big in Texas
Stellantis won eleven prizes in total at the 2022 Texas Truck Rodeo. Winners included the Ram 1500 TRX performance truck taking Best Luxury Pickup.
The 702 horsepower supercharged 6.2-l Hemi V-8 engine that powers the Ram TRX was picked for Best Powertrain.
At the opposite end of the scale, the new plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe was named the 2022 Green Vehicle of Texas.
A virtual awards ceremony was held this month to announce the winners. However, TAWA plans to host a full celebratory event at the Houston Auto Show in January 2022.
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