by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
It is Jeep versus Toyota in a Nevada desert Halloween showdown this year.
Well, at least according to Specialty Equipment Market Association exhibitors.
Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator were recently announced as finalists for SEMA’s 2022 4x4/SUV of the Year and Mid-Size Truck of the Year awards.
At the other side of the ring stands Toyota’s 4Runner and Tacoma.
For Wrangler, it is the 12th straight finals nomination the vehicle has received for top 4x4/SUV at SEMA, and it had won 10 straight awards before ceding last year’s prize to Ford’s new Bronco. Besides that duo, no other vehicle has won this category since its inception.
Tacoma took top slot in the 2021 Mid-Size Truck category, the first year SEMA split the truck field into Full and Mid-Size divisions. For Gladiator, this year's match marks a shot at redemption, as both were 2021 finalists as well.
All SEMA exhibitors receive a vote towards each award category, which also includes Car of the Year, Sport Compact of the Year and Powersports Vehicle of the Year. Voters judge finalists by how much they believe aftermarket manufacturers are investing in and developing products for each one. Ideally, SEMA said in a press release, customers can feel confident knowing each vehicle has an array of options for customization.
The winning vehicle in each category will be announced on Monday, October 31 at 5 p.m. PST.
The annual SEMA show runs from November 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
