Texans love their trucks->ke1311 and SUVs,->ke145 so it makes perfect sense for the Texas Auto Writers Association to hold a competition each fall that declares an overall winner, crowing that pickup “The Truck of Texas.”

As a member of TAWA, I spent the majority of the week driving the rock-strewn hills outside San Antonio testing more than 80 contenders, including crossovers->ke288 and SUVs, vying for that coveted award and top rankings within their respective categories. More than 20 automakers from around the world were present, with most bringing several entries.

The epicenter for testing was the famed Knibbe Ranch. The 150 year-old, family-owned ranch is still in operation, with hundreds of acres sprawling over the Texas countryside. Rolling hills with rocky outcroppings and a shallow stream provided the perfect place for exploring each truck’s off-road abilities while curvy back roads and a long highway stretch nearby were well-suited for testing on-road drivability.

Though the pickup trucks->ke242 and body-on-frame SUVs were often tested on the highways, the covers crossovers and more road-focused SUVs were restricted to the roads only. These family-friendly vehicles were put through their paces just as well as the 4WDs on the off-road course.

The 69 journalists judging the event had an important decision on their hands: How would each vehicle rank in their respective category, and more importantly, what truck had the right stuff to win Truck of Texas?

Curious yet? You’ll have to stick around till tomorrow, October 13, 2015 for the results.

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