‘Compact SUV of Texas’ is the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
For the second year running, the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road was named the Compact SUV of Texas by the Texas Auto Writers Association at the annual Texas Truck Rodeo event, which recognizes the best off-road vehicles in the world.
For this year’s Rodeo, 27 journalists and 39 trucks and SUVs were brought together at an off-roading course in Texas Hill Country. The vehicles were evaluated based on their performance, exterior value, interior features, and personal appeal.
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The RAV4 TRD Off-Road had no trouble standing out and dominated the compact SUV category. Meanwhile, other Toyota models — including the 4Runner TRD Pro, Tundra Trail Special Edition, and Tacoma Trail Special Edition — were named finalists in each of their categories.
“It’s great the media members of TAWA recognized the RAV4 TRD Off-Road’s ability to help people find their adventures on and off road,” said Cynthia Tenhouse, Toyota’s vice president of vehicle marketing.
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The RAV4 TRD Off-Road is one of the newest members of Toyota’s growing TRD family. It features the first-ever TRD-stamped stainless-steel front skidplate, improving the bestselling SUV’s protection against road debris. It also boasts TRD-tuned suspension that works to dampen small bumps while enhancing body control.
The rugged SUV also has some pretty interesting all-terrain tires that feature a unique tread pattern and compound, as well as a square-shoulder design, to provide better off-road grip and help prevent punctures. At the very least, they look good wrapped around those matte-black TRD alloy wheels.
Toyota has big hopes for the RAV4 TRD Off-Road, calling it a “segment leader and segment disruptor.” Being named the Compact SUV of Texas can certainly be seen as an endorsement of at least one of those claims.
Kurt Verlin was born in France and lives in the United States. Throughout his life he was always told French was the language of romance, but it was English he fell in love with. He likes cats, music, cars, 30 Rock, Formula 1, and pretending to be a race car driver in simulators; but most of all, he just likes to write about it all. See more articles by Kurt.