Which is the Best Pickup Truck of 2025? The Texas Truck Rodeo is On!

202 Texas Truck Rodeo best pickup truck of texas
202 Texas Truck RodeoCredit: @TexasDriver via Instagram

Every fall they roll into the North Texas town of Decatur to throw down: Rams and Ineoses and Tundras and Nissans. They’ll run the off-road course at Eagles Canyon Raceway with automotive writers at the wheel. The writers will measure, test and evaluate the performance of each truck and how it conquers, or doesn’t, the off-road obstacles laid out on the hilly Texas grassland, all to determine the best pickup truck of Texas.

The Texas Truck Rodeo is an annual gathering of the Texas Auto Writers Association, a group of truck-savvy off-road experts who are also journalists, YouTube personalities and content creators. This is not a competition for the middling off-roader; there are hills, ditches and creeks and in many cases, 4WD know-how is required. 

This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.

Which Will Win Best Pickup Truck of Texas?

Trucks at Texas Auto Writers Association rodeo best pickup truck
Credit: Raven Studios

The Redesigned and Hearty Honda Ridgeline

Honda Ridgeline TrailSport
Credit: Cameron Aubernon

Key Honda Ridgeline Specs

2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport
Credit: Cameron Aubernon

Cute, Capable and City-Friendly: Hyundai Santa Cruz

Hyundai Santa Cruz post-wrap. Photo: Rebelle Rally
Credit: Rebelle Rally

Key Specs Hyundai Santa Cruz

hyundai santa cruz truck
Credit: Elizabeth Blackstock

When Capability is a Luxury: INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster 

Ineos Quartermaster at the Texas Truck Rodeo best pickup truck
Credit: @All_Terrain_Nation_Media via Instagram

Key Ineos Quartermaster Specs

Ineos Quartermaster best pick up truck
Credit: Ineos

Best Pickup Truck Chops, Year after Year: Nissan Frontier

2025 Nissan Frontier Pro X best pickup truck of texas
Credit: Nissan

Key Nissan Frontier Specs

2025 Nissan Frontier Pro X rear best pickup truck of texas
Credit: Nissan

Fully Redesigned, With More Capability and Comfort: Ram 1500 

The new wider front grille in the 2025 Ram 1500 ideal for sorority rush
Credit: Erica Mueller

Key Ram 1500 Specs

The power liftgate in the 2025 Ram 1500 is easy to open and close
Credit: Erica Mueller

The All New Toyota Tacoma Brings Its Game to the Texas Truck Rodeo

Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Credit: Kymri Wilt

Key Toyota Tacoma Specs

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro iFORCE MAX.
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Last Year’s Best Pickup Truck of Texas: Toyota Tundra Tries Again

Toyota Tundra
Credit: Chastity Velasquez

Key Toyota Tundra Specs

The interior of the TRD Pro has a lot of similarities to the Tundra's interior
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Meet the Best Pickup Truck Of Texas… And the SUV of Texas

Texas Auto Writers Truck of Texas award for best pickup truck
Credit: Texas Auto Writers Association
Journalist, entrepreneur and mom. Expertise includes new cars, family cars, 3-row SUVs, child passenger car seats and automotive careers ... More about Scotty Reiss
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