Goodguys Rod & Custom Association Adds 4×4 of the Year Award for 2026
Giving 4x4s their own dedicated category is the “next step in supporting and pushing their evolution”…
Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, producer of Goodguys car shows, is adding an all-new 4×4 of the Year presented by Roadster Shop category for four-wheel drive lifted trucks and SUVs to the popular Goodguys Top 12 Awards program presented by BASF. The new category will be introduced in the 2026 season and replaces Trendsetter of the Year, which was added as a Top 12 category in 2024.
Goodguys will continue to award the Goodguys Trendsetter Award each year as it has done since 1998.
Building and modifying vintage four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs is a growing trend among collectors and builders in the hot rod aftermarket, according to association officials. Goodguys has kept track of the rapid growth in the market, which has coincided with automotive aftermarket companies developing new parts and products to make the custom builds more achievable at a higher level.
“Lifted 4×4 trucks and SUVs are no strangers to the Goodguys Top 12 awards program and have regularly found finalist spots during the past seven years in the LMC Truck of the Year Early (pre-1960) category and the Dakota Digital Truck of the Year Late (1960-99) category,” Goodguys stated in a press release announcing the new Top 12 Award. “With an increasing number of builds continuing to debut, Goodguys decided that giving these 4×4 machines their own dedicated category was the next step in supporting and pushing their evolution.”
4X4 FINALIST EVENTS
The Goodguys 4×4 of the Year will be a regional Top 12 award, with seven finalists selected during the 2026 season, starting at the 16th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals presented by Old Air Products in March. Here is the full schedule of 4×4 finalist events:
- 16th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals presented by Old Air Products, March 6-7 – Fort Worth, TX
- 26th LMC Truck Southeastern Nationals, June 12-13 – Perry, GA
- 35th Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals, July 3-5 – Des Moines, IA
- 38th Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals presented by Wicked Fabrication, July 24-26 – Puyallup, WA
- 39th West Coast Nationals – August 21-23 – Pleasanton, CA
- 33rd Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals, October 2-3 – Fort Worth, TX
- 29th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals, November 20-22 – Scottsdale, AZ. (This finalist selection in 2026 rolls over to 2027 running.)
Eligible vehicles for this new Top 12 title will be lifted four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs through 1999 vintage. All lifted 4×4 trucks and SUVs will be eligible for 2026 title; Goodguys will be looking for new debut vehicles (AKA “of the Year”) beginning in 2027.
The award is designed to honor outstanding 1999 and older lifted 4×4 tricked-out trucks and SUVs. The selection committee will seek a vehicle that represents current overland trends and will evaluate each contender based on quality of craftsmanship, overall design, body and paint, the three F’s (fit, form and functionality), stance, and creativity in concept, according to the release.
