DECATUR, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lexus and Chrysler won the top two awards at the 2018 Texas Auto Roundup, presented by the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI). After 49 members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) evaluated 46 vehicles, the 2018 Lexus LC 500 was crowned the overall Car of Texas. In addition, the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica took home the event’s other top award, the Family Car of Texas.
TAWA members, who cover the automotive industry for print, online and broadcast outlets across the United States, voted on the top vehicles after spending two days comparing them at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas. They took the vehicles on a series of exercises on the 2.5-mile racetrack, pushing performance cars and taking other vehicles on slalom, acceleration and braking tests. They also learned about the new vehicles’ features and changes from manufacturer representatives.
“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.” In addition to SMDI’s title sponsorship, the 2018 event also was supported by the Polaris Slingshot and Wieck Media.
Other category award winners from the 2018 Texas Auto Roundup include:
ACTIVITY VEHICLE
Winner: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Runner-Up:
2018 Jeep Wrangler
COMPACT CAR
Winner: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Runner-Up:
2018 Volkswagen Golf R
MID-SIZE 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
GREEN VEHICLE
Winner: 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Runner-Up:
2018 Honda Clarity
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
PERFORMANCE UTILITY
Winner: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Quadrifoglio
Runner-Up: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
SUPERCAR
Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GT R
Runner-Up:
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
BEST TECHNOLOGY
Winner: World’s First Production-Ready
Variable Compression Ratio Engine, 2019 Infiniti QX50
BEST NEW INTERIOR
Winner: 2019 Toyota Avalon Touring
For multimedia content: http://texasautowriters.tritium.co/lexus-chrysler-win-top-awards-at-2018-texas-auto-roundup.
For more than three decades, TAWA has promoted professionalism and quality in automotive journalism. TAWA produces two annual events that have gained national traction: the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall and the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring. Both events give TAWA’s journalists the opportunity to evaluate vehicles back-to-back on the street, track or off-road, then present awards to the best products. Manufacturers and dealerships promote the award winners, and the “Truck of Texas” is touted in national television commercials, including appearing in previous Super Bowl commercials.
TAWA also awards scholarships to Texas college and university students with a journalism major each year. The nonprofit’s annual Excellence in Craft Competition recognizes exceptional coverage of the automotive industry by its members annually.
SMDI increases and defends the use of steel by developing innovative materials, applications and value-added solutions for customers in the automotive, construction and packaging markets. SMDI automotive investors include: AK Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal and Nucor Corporation. For more information on SMDI, visit www.autosteel.org or follow @SMDISteel on Twitter.
