PLANO, Texas (Jan. 29, 2025) – The all-new fourth-generation Toyota Tacoma Pickup has achieved a historic milestone, being crowned Truck of Texas by the esteemed Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at their 31st annual Texas Truck Rodeo. This marks the first occasion a midsize pickup truck has ever received the coveted Truck of Texas title. Notably, this triumph extends Toyota’s winning streak at the Truck Rodeo, with Toyota pickups securing the top honor for the third time in the past four years. The full-size Tundra previously earned the Truck of Texas award in both 2022 and 2024.
Alongside the Toyota Tacoma pickup’s remarkable win, TAWA also recognized the all-new Lexus GX 550 as SUV of Texas at the same event. During the media drive, TAWA members also voted on various category and technical awards. The Toyota Tacoma pickup was named Midsize Truck of Texas, while the Lexus GX 550 secured the title of Midsize SUV of Texas. Further accolades for Toyota included the Best Towing Technology award for its innovative Wireless Trailer Camera and the Best Driver Assist or Safety Feature award for Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.
“For two decades, the Toyota Tacoma pickup has reigned as the best-selling midsize pickup in the U.S., and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the completely redesigned Tacoma honored as Truck of Texas,” commented Dedra DeLilli, Toyota vice president – Vehicle Marketing and Communications. “We deeply appreciate TAWA’s recognition of the Tacoma as the first Truck of Texas from the midsize pickup segment, a segment that continues to gain popularity.”
The latest generation Toyota Tacoma pickup, launched in the spring of 2023, introduces significant enhancements, including two new powertrains. Among these is the groundbreaking i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, delivering a combined system output of up to 326 horsepower and an impressive 465 lb.-ft. of torque. This represents a substantial 75 percent increase in torque compared to the previous generation’s V-6 engine. The Toyota Tacoma pickup’s design, a product of Calty Design Research in California, and its engineering, led by TMNA R&D in Ann Arbor, underscore its North American focus. Assembled for the North American market, the Tacoma offers an extensive lineup of 11 distinct grades, catering to a wide spectrum of lifestyles and customer preferences. The new Trailhunter grade significantly bolsters Toyota’s renowned off-road and overlanding capabilities with meticulously engineered and robust components, making the Toyota Tacoma pickup a top choice for adventure enthusiasts.
The Baja-inspired TRD Pro grade of the Toyota Tacoma pickup debuts the segment-exclusive IsoDynamic Performance Seat, elevating off-road driving control and comfort to new levels. Simultaneously, the first-ever Trailhunter grade emerges as a factory-engineered overlanding platform, incorporating cutting-edge integrated off-road equipment from ARB, Old Man Emu, and RIGID, further solidifying the Toyota Tacoma pickup’s position as a leader in the off-road segment.
TAWA’s annual Texas Truck Rodeo serves as a crucial event, bringing together automotive journalists to thoroughly evaluate the newest trucks and SUVs from various manufacturers. The evaluation process includes both a challenging off-road course and a comprehensive street drive. This year’s fall event took place at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas. Vehicles from the world’s leading automotive brands were rigorously assessed based on interior and exterior design, overall value, performance metrics, and personal appeal.
“The Truck of Texas award is a highly respected and fiercely contested accolade, and the Toyota Tacoma pickup has unequivocally earned this prestigious title,” stated TAWA President Cory Fourniquet. “Our members were particularly impressed by the Tacoma’s diverse range of grades and its advanced new powertrains, showcasing why the Toyota Tacoma pickup is truly deserving of this recognition.”
TAWA, a non-profit association based in Texas, has been dedicated to promoting professionalism and excellence in automotive journalism for over two decades. It has grown into one of the most influential and recognized 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 single location and timeframe.
For further details on the Toyota Tacoma pickup, please visit the Toyota Newsroom.
