Jeep®
brand, the company that created the SUV segment -- decades before
anyone heard of the term -- and its sibling Dodge, did a little
Texas two-step around other SUV manufacturers this weekend during
the annual Texas Auto Writers Association's Texas
Truck Rodeo.
The Detroit-built 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (above) defended its SUV of Texas honor.
"Jeep Grand Cherokee has once again demonstrated its superior
levels of performance, quality, interior craftsmanship, and
reliability that make it an award-winning SUV,” said TAWA
President Mike Herzing. "Grand Cherokee is clearly the SUV of
Texas."
Also for the second year in a row, Toledo, Ohio-made 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (right) was named the Mid-size SUV of Texas.
New for 2011 is the TAWA Luxury of SUV of Texas award, won by the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit.
Not to be out-done by its siblings, the 2012 Dodge Durango (below), built at the same Detroit plant as the Grand Cherokee, earned an award:
“The 2012 Dodge Durango made quite an impression at this year's TAWA Truck Rodeo," Herzing said. "With its spacious and refined interior, impressive driving dynamics, and class-leading towing capability, it's only fitting that the Dodge Durango is named the 2012 Full-Size SUV of Texas."
This weekend, 57 TAWA members were given two days of on- and off-road evaluation time with a variety of vehicles from major auto manufacturers. Consideration was given to everything from exterior styling and off-road capability, to the vehicles’ overall utility, value and fuel efficiency. At the end of the two-day evluation, TAWA members voted for their top choices in number Texas Truck Rodeo categories.
