The folks at the Texas Truck Rodeo chose the Isuzu Amigo Hard Top over the Jeep Wrangler in the small SUV category in an event sponsored by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).

More trucks, sport utility vehicles, and all-wheel-drive specialty vehicles participated than ever before -- and the competition was stiff. The largest assembly to date of automobile writers from around the state judged the event.

``We drove all of them hard both on-road and off,'' said Roger Gray, president, TAWA. ``We scored them in a variety of categories and under a variety of circumstances.

``The narrowness of all the winners' margins just goes to prove the quality of the vehicles one has to choose from in the American marketplace. In short, there was nothing we drove that wouldn't make us happy with our choice.''

The Amigo won first place, nosing out the Jeep Wrangler and six other small SUVs, which were rated for exterior styling, interior comfort and convenience, drivetrain, on-road driving, off-road driving, versatility, and value. The Amigo stood out in all categories.