Lexus and Chrysler won the top two awards at the 2018 Texas Auto Roundup on April 16-17 at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas. 49 members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) evaluated 46 vehicles during the two day event and judged each vehicles on interior/exterior design, performance, appeal, and value. After many laps on the course, 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.
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[spacer height=”20px”]“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.”
[spacer height=”20px”]From morning until afternoon, TAWA members took each vehicle 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. Each vehicle was placed in a specific category and judged against similar vehicles. Top winners and runner-ups were then selected from each of these categories.
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
[spacer height=”20px”]Be on the look out for some of these winning vehicles to make their way to the Texas Auto Show floor when the 2018 State Fair of Texas opens.