FORT WORTH, TX--(Marketwired - May 03, 2016) - The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) gathered once again for the annual Texas Auto Roundup to drive and evaluate 53 vehicles, within 17 different categories, over a two-day period. Fifty-eight journalists descended on Texas Motor Speedway and have chosen the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350R as Car of Texas, and the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica as the Family Car of Texas.

Journalists came from 11 different states across the country, and from around the globe including the Netherlands. Despite early threats for a repeat of the deluge of 2015, the weather finally cleared up enough to allow journalists to take full advantage of the Texas Motor Speedway facilities including the infield racetrack.

Winning the Compact Car category was the 2016 Honda Civic Touring, with the 2016 Mazda3 5-door Grand Touring runner-up.

In the Mid-Size Car category, the 2016 Kia Optima SXL was named the winner with the 2016 Nissan Altima SL runner-up. In the Mid-Size Luxury Car category, the 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 was the winner with the 2016 Lexus ES 350 runner-up.

In the full-size category, the 2016 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack was the winner with the 2016 Nissan Maxima Platinum runner-up. For the full-size luxury car, the 2016 Cadillac CT6 was the winner, with the 2016 Chrysler 300 Platinum runner-up.

Performance Compact winner was the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club, with the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R runner-up. Performance Coupe was the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350R with the 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat runner-up. Performance Sedan was the 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, with the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan runner-up.

The Minivan category was won by the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited, with the 2016 Toyota Sienna Limited runner-up. Activity Vehicle was the 2016 Nissan Murano Platinum, with the 2016 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Drive-E runner-up.

Performance Utility was won by the 2016 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD R-Design with the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT runner-up. The Green Vehicle was the 2016 Lexus RX 450h, with the 2017 Chevrolet Volt Premier Hatchback runner-up.

The Super Car of Texas was the 2016 Dodge Viper GTC.

Nic Phillips, President, TAWA --

"This year's Texas Auto Roundup was our biggest yet with a record number of journalists and a highly competitive field of vehicles to evaluate."

"All our manufacturers brought outstanding vehicles for us to assess, however, there were some standouts that caught the attention of our journalist members when considering their performance, value, and versatility." "This event represents a tremendous amount of work and consideration and I'd like to thank our diverse group of journalist members, the Board of Directors and especially our automotive manufacturers for their continued dedication to our recognition of their best of the best."