Dodge Challenger wins ‘Car of Texas’ at TAWA spring event


(April 18, 2019) DENTON, Texas — 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.

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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. 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.




2019 Dodge Challenger

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