PLANO, Texas (Jan. 29, 2025) – The Toyota Tacoma, a name synonymous with reliability and capability in the small truck segment, has achieved a historic milestone. The all-new, fourth-generation Toyota Tacoma has been honored with the coveted Truck of Texas title by the esteemed Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA). This marks a significant first, as it’s the first time a midsize pickup, a category where the Toyota Tacoma has consistently led, has clinched the overall Truck of Texas award in the 31-year history of the TAWA Truck Rodeo. This victory underscores the Tacoma’s dominance and Toyota’s commitment to producing top-tier trucks, following the footsteps of the full-size Tundra, which secured the same honor in 2022 and 2024.
The TAWA Truck Rodeo, a highly anticipated annual event, also recognized the Lexus GX 550, awarding it the SUV of Texas title, further solidifying Toyota’s and Lexus’s strong presence in the Texas automotive landscape. In addition to these top honors, Toyota garnered several category and technology awards. The Toyota Tacoma was named Midsize Truck of Texas, and the Lexus GX 550 earned the title of Midsize SUV of Texas. Toyota’s innovations were further highlighted with the Wireless Trailer Camera receiving the Best Towing Technology award, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 being recognized as the Best Driver Assist or Safety Feature.
“For two decades, the Toyota Tacoma has reigned as the most popular midsize pickup in the U.S., and this Truck of Texas award is a fantastic validation of the all-new model,” stated Dedra DeLilli, Toyota vice president – Vehicle Marketing and Communications. “We are incredibly proud that TAWA has recognized the Tacoma as the first-ever Truck of Texas from outside the full-size pickup category. This award truly speaks to the versatility and appeal of the Toyota Small Truck.”
The completely redesigned Toyota Tacoma, a leader in the Toyota small truck lineup, was unveiled in Spring 2023, introducing two advanced powertrain options, including the groundbreaking i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain. This hybrid system delivers an impressive combined output of up to 326 horsepower and a massive 465 lb.-ft. of torque. This represents a remarkable 75 percent increase in torque compared to the previous generation’s V-6 engine, demonstrating Toyota’s dedication to performance and efficiency in its small trucks. The Tacoma’s design, a product of Calty Design Research in California, and engineering, spearheaded by TMNA R&D in Ann Arbor, with assembly for North America, reflects a global effort to create a truck tailored to diverse lifestyles and customer needs. Offering 11 distinct grades, the Tacoma caters to a wide spectrum of preferences. Notably, the new Trailhunter grade elevates Toyota’s renowned off-road and overlanding heritage, incorporating purpose-built engineering and robust components, making it a standout in the Toyota small truck family for adventure enthusiasts.
Further enhancing the Tacoma’s appeal, the Baja-inspired TRD Pro introduces the segment-first IsoDynamic Performance Seat, setting a new benchmark for off-road driving control and comfort. Simultaneously, the first-ever Trailhunter grade emerges as a factory-developed overlanding rig, built from the ground up with state-of-the-art integrated off-road equipment from industry leaders like ARB, Old Man Emu, and RIGID. These features underscore Toyota’s commitment to innovation and performance across its small truck offerings.
The annual Texas Truck Rodeo by TAWA is a rigorous evaluation event where automotive journalists put the latest trucks and SUVs from various manufacturers through demanding off-road courses and street drives. The recent event took place at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas. Vehicles were meticulously assessed based on interior and exterior design, overall value, performance metrics, and personal appeal.
“The Truck of Texas award is a highly sought-after and fiercely competitive accolade, and the Toyota Tacoma has rightfully earned this prestigious title,” commented TAWA President Cory Fourniquet. “Our members were thoroughly impressed by the Tacoma’s wide range of grades and its innovative new powertrains. It’s a testament to Toyota’s engineering and design prowess in the small truck segment.”
TAWA, a non-profit association based in Texas, has been dedicated to promoting professionalism and journalistic excellence in the automotive industry for over two decades. It has evolved into one of the most influential and respected automotive journalist organizations in the United States. TAWA hosts two major annual events – the Texas Auto Roundup and the Texas Truck Rodeo – providing its members with unparalleled opportunities to experience and evaluate vehicles from numerous manufacturers in a concentrated setting.
For further details on the award-winning Toyota Tacoma, a leader in the Toyota small truck lineup, please visit the Toyota Newsroom.
