A Dodge muscle car won the top award at the 2019 Texas Auto Roundup. After 44 journalist members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) evaluated 29 vehicles April 14-16, the 2019 Dodge Challenger was crowned the overall Car of Texas.
“Driving enthusiasts in Texas love horsepower, and the Challenger’s classic muscular lines and monumental power won over our voters,” said Michael Marrs, president of TAWA and co-host of the In Wheel Time radio show in Houston. “The most powerful Challenger that Dodge brought to the Roundup — the SRT Hellcat Redeye — drew attention for its 797-horsepower engine and raucous exhaust note.”
The Challenger also won the Performance Car of Texas title. Other top awards include the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as Family Car of Texas and 2020 Kia Telluride as CUV 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 in Denton, Texas. They took the vehicles on a series of street and handling exercises, pushing performance cars and taking other vehicles on slalom, acceleration and braking tests. Members also learned about the new vehicles’ features and changes from manufacturer representatives.
OVERALL AWARDS
CAR OF TEXAS
Winner: 2019 Dodge Challenger
Runner-Up: 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia
PERFORMANCE CAR OF TEXAS
Winner: 2019 Dodge Challenger
Runner-Up: 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia
FAMILY CAR OF TEXAS
Winner: 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
Runner-Up: 2019 Nissan Maxima
CUV OF TEXAS
Winner: 2020 Kia Telluride
Runner-Up: 2019 Mercedes-Benz E63 S Wagon
CATEGORY AWARDS
COMPACT CAR
Winner: 2020 Toyota Corolla XSE
Runner-Up: 2020 Toyota Corolla LE Hybrid
MID-SIZE CAR
Winner: 2019 Nissan Maxima Platinum
MINIVAN
Winner: 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited
GREEN VEHICLE
Winner: 2019 Nissan LEAF PLUS SV
Runner-Up: 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited
MID-SIZE LUXURY CAR
Winner: 2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport
Runner-Up: 2019 Lexus ES 300h Luxury
PERFORMANCE COMPACT
Winner: 2019 Volkswagen GTI SE
PERFORMANCE COUPE
Winner: 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye
Runner-Up: 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody
PERFORMANCE SEDAN
Winner: 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Runner-Up: 2019 Volkswagen GLI 35th Anniversary Edition
COMPACT CUV
Winner: 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD
Runner-Up: 2019 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid
MID-SIZE CUV
Winner: 2020 Kia Telluride SX
LUXURY CUV
Winner: 2019 Mercedes-Benz E63 S Wagon Carbon Fiber
Runner-Up: 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio