All-wheel drive means that all four wheels of a car get power from the engine at the same time. This helps the car grip the road better, especially in bad weather like rain or snow.
Off-road capability means how well a vehicle can drive on rough surfaces like dirt or rocks. Vehicles designed for off-roading have special features to help them handle these tough conditions.
On-road performance is about how well a car drives on regular streets and highways. It looks at things like how fast it can go, how well it stops, and how comfortable it feels to drive.
Off-road prowess is how good a vehicle is at driving on rough and bumpy surfaces. Vehicles with strong off-road skills can handle things like mud, rocks, and steep hills better than regular cars.
The Ineos Grenadier is a tough SUV built for off-road driving. It's made to handle rough conditions rather than just being comfortable on regular roads.
The Hyundai Genesis is a luxury car that is all about comfort and high-end features. It's part of a brand that wants to compete with other fancy car makers and offers a lot of value for its price.
The Mazda CX-50 is a small SUV that is fun to drive and has a nice inside. It's a good choice for people who want a vehicle that feels sporty but also has enough space for everyday use.
The Genesis GV70 is a stylish and fancy SUV that offers a lot of nice features and a comfortable ride. It's part of a newer brand that wants to compete with more well-known luxury car makers.
The Honda Passport TrailSport Elite is a new version of Honda's SUV that is built for adventure and off-road driving, while still being comfortable inside.
Turbo whistle is the noise you hear when a turbocharger is working hard to make the engine more powerful. It's a unique sound that many car enthusiasts enjoy.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a new electric car that looks really cool and has a lot of space inside. It's important because it shows how car companies are making more electric options for people who want to drive without using gas.
An all-electric vehicle is a car that only uses electricity to run, so it doesn't need gas. This makes it better for the environment because it doesn't produce pollution from a tailpipe.
Battery packs are groups of batteries that store power for electric cars. They are usually placed low in the car to help it stay balanced while driving.
Skid plates are strong shields that protect the bottom of a car from getting damaged when driving over rocks or rough ground. They help keep important parts safe.
The Toyota Crown is a big, fancy car that Toyota has been making for a long time. It's known for being comfortable and having nice features, making it a good choice for people who want a luxury car.
LIVE
Welcome to Mudfest 2025.
Sport utility vehicles and pickups are the dominant vehicle segments in the U.S.
Practical and versatile, they can cover terrain that smart sedan owners would avoid.
There's evidence that the Sport Ute phenomena sprung from pragmatic Pacific Northwesterners' love of the outdoors.
One reason the Northwest Automotive Press Association, or NAWAPA, started Mudfest,
the Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year competition 31 years ago, you know, before SUVs were trendy.
You can tell this is a serious event. We've got wristbands and lanyards.
Back in the 1990s when Mudfest began, SUVs were mostly about the U, or utility, and they were body-on-frame trucks.
Now, some emphasize the Sport S side of the acronym, and there's electrification.
Of the 21 vehicles tested, over a quarter of them have some sort of electric drive mode.
Back in the day, none.
A couple things to know about Mudfest. It is not an extreme off-road competition.
It's how most people use their SUVs and crossovers and pickups on a regular basis.
It's not about boulder hopping.
Second of all, if you don't see your favorite vehicle here, it's because the manufacturer chose not to bring it.
Once again, Mudfest is being held at the Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington.
Most people have done this before, but for anybody that's new, the go-kart track is actually a scale representation of the big track.
There's some very new machinery here, as you can see. One promising manufacturer didn't even have a vehicle,
but wanted to share information with the 19 NWAPA journalists on hand, hopefully next year's scout, and we bring in guest speakers.
Wet weather traction. That's something that's a huge consideration.
All-wheel drive is important, but the right tires for conditions are critical.
During this two-day event, there's a lot to pay attention to. Manufacturer reps are on hand to offer information.
First and foremost, it's a jeep, so it's going to have great capability.
Again, this contest is not only about off-road capability.
We judge value, features, cargo room, efficiency, and technology to come up with category winners,
plus the grand prize of Northwest Outdoor Vehicle of the Year.
Day one is about evaluating on-road performance, arguably where these vehicles are used the most.
Day two is about off-road prowess. With little rain in the past week, Mudfest is better described as Dustfest this year.
We all get a score book, so NWAPA journalists can keep notes. There is a lot to keep track of.
Two things I really like about Mudfest.
One, I can get behind the wheel of vehicles that I haven't driven before.
And two, I drive all of these back-to-back, so everything is fresh in my mind.
As far as pavement testing goes, we do zero to 60 runs.
Braking.
There's an autocross and swallow course.
A lot of SUVs these days are trying to be all things to all people.
This is the Ineos Grenadier, and it's not.
Last year I drove this, and my impression was it's largely for off-road because on-road,
it's not as much fun to drive, especially in twisty corners like this.
And of course, the go-kart track.
This is not the Ionic 5N, it's the Ionic 5 XRT, a little bit more off-road capability.
Yeah, the 5N would be a lot more fun on this go-kart course, but you know this is not bad,
and we'll see how this does off-road tomorrow.
The go-kart course, which is more than just perverse fun in something like the Ram 1500 RHO crew cab,
or the new Nissan Armada Pro 4X, really does help NOAPA riders evaluate handling and cornering limits.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Three trucks are in the hunt for best pickup, the Ram RHO, Toyota's new overlanding-oriented Tacoma Trailhunter,
and the Ineos Grenadier Trial Master pickup.
Other categories include two-row family vehicles like Hyundai Tucson XRT, Volkswagen's Tauas SE,
and the new Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro.
Three-row family vehicle competitors include Kia Sorento X Pro and Mitsubishi's Outlander Trail Edition,
but those third-rows are not as usable as, say, the large Jeep Wagoneer Overland, which is supremely capable.
Hurricane motor, 420 horsepower, so plenty strong.
You know, people don't want to hear it, but it's stronger than the standard V8 that it replaced.
There's the luxury segment.
Genesis is definitely covering its bases.
This is a GV80, one of two.
I'm driving the coupe version.
Still has four doors, but a new roofline in the back, you know, more swept.
People like that.
Obviously, in the luxury category, the Lexus 700H OverTrail bumping up close to $117,000 is the most expensive vehicle at Mudfest.
LX 700H is a hybrid, so technically it's in the electrified category.
This thing can move.
We also crown for best value, which could be something like the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Acura ADX,
or even a high-end competitor like the refreshed Genesis GV70.
It just depends on what kind of bang for the buck gets delivered.
The newest sport unit at Mudfest 2025 is the 2026 Honda Passport Trail Sport Elite.
It's not just stickers and trim.
This is not a rehash from the old one.
It's a new chassis.
The all-wheel drive system is upgraded.
Tech is upgraded.
There's a lot to assess.
Interior ergonomics and material quality.
Pretty sure no vehicle on the road or off the road matches the grab handles,
lash points, and access of the Ineos Grenadier Fieldmaster.
Everybody wants to climb the ladder.
And the Passport Trail Sport gets a security cover that doubles as a camping table.
The legs are in the load floor.
Day two offers up the promise of rain and therefore mud.
But it's awfully dry.
And for the most part, we need to make our own sloppy stuff.
Over the years, I've talked to manufacturers and they've confirmed
that first owners of vehicles seldom point their vehicles to conditions like this.
I've said this before.
I'll say it again, I think people over by their SUVs
because most people will never take their crossovers on something like this, right?
You crest this and then there's, I want to say, about 20 inches of water that you go into.
And this, the Kia Sorento, does it just fine.
No problems.
Only half the vehicles in the competition tackle the tougher hill climbs.
This is the Toyota Tacoma Trail Hunter and it's very, very capable.
So up the hill, of course it has no problem.
Of course.
Maybe you have a remote wilderness cabin or need to haul a lot of people.
The new three-row Nissan Armada Pro 4x can do all of that.
It gets a turbocharged V6 that delivers plenty of power.
Extreme hill climb.
Yes.
And it's just an automatic, right?
Yes, for high.
Yeah.
It makes you look good, Tom.
And then you can use the hill descent as well.
I need the help I can get.
No doubt the new Ram 1500RHO has visual appeal and a lot of capability.
540 horsepower out of a three-liter twin-turbo inline six.
Not a me.
It's an inline six.
It's also the only vehicle I got airborne in.
Go.
Stay in it.
We better go check on your cameras.
We have there.
I'm sure they've gone.
Yeah, they're gone.
Really?
Yeah, they're gone.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Let's go back and kill them.
All right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
The Ineos Pickups personality begins when the pavement ends.
On-road, this does feel like a truck.
Out here, it feels like a truck.
And that is the most sincere compliment.
It shines out here.
Yeah, it really does.
It's so easy to drive this off-road.
One thing about the Trail Hunter, when you put your foot into it,
I don't think you can hear that,
but you definitely get turbo whistle off of the snorkel.
This is actually entered in a number of categories,
including electrified, because it's a hybrid.
It's mostly a hybrid for power, not efficiency,
but it is a hybrid.
It's excellent at speed over rough terrain.
See if I can lose another GoPro through here.
Still on.
But very crooked.
I'm pretty tough on these cameras.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT was the sports car yesterday.
Off-road, a little bit of extra ground clearance
for more of a rugged experience.
The only all-electric vehicle in the competition.
So much fun.
High speed on gravel.
Handles it really well.
Battery packs low in the floor.
Low center of gravity.
Always a great time.
The Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition
is the only competitor with roof storage at Mudfest,
obviously an option.
It has unique and comprehensive drive modes
that make a significant difference.
I'm going to pop you up to gravel mode here.
When we pick up a bit of speed,
you'll feel quite a bit of yore.
If you're smooth, it will allow the tail to hang out quite a lot.
Now, spike in input.
And you'll feel the stability control gravity immediately.
No Tom.
Exactly.
What it does is it rewards smooth
and it allows you to be kind of a hooligan when you're being smooth.
Honda's Passport Trail Sport is unibody construction,
not a negative, just-asked Land Rover.
A benefit?
The ride is smooth and engaging on pavement
and it has no trouble on the tough stuff.
So there is protection underneath?
Yes, very stout protection.
And the skid plates are under the fuel tank and under the engine.
And like I said, they're really heavy duty.
You could put the full, more than the full weight of the vehicle,
slam it down on a rock with the skid plates, no issue.
Really?
Yes.
Okay, those are skid plates.
Yeah, they are serious, yes.
Subaru's Forester gets a hybrid powertrain
for the first time.
The system does not use an electric motor to power the rear wheels.
It sticks with the brand's symmetrical all-wheel drive.
No issues going through the custom off-road course.
Beating a dead horse,
monster trucks are not needed if all you want to do
is get to the good trailheads.
Even the Volkswagen Taos SE Black,
by far the most affordable vehicle in the competition,
will go where sedans would fear to tread.
All right, our work is done.
The votes have been cast.
Normally, I would have a pretty good idea
of who the winners would be in their respective categories.
But this year, I don't know, really close.
Let's see.
The two-row family SUV award goes to the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT
with the 2026 Honda Passport Trail Sport Elite
following close behind.
In the three-row family SUV segment,
the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer Series 2 Overland
takes the crown, edging out the 2025 Nissan Armada Pro 4X.
The luxury SUV trophy winner is the 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige
over the 2025 Lexus LX700H OverTrail.
In the pickup truck competition,
the 2025 Ram 1500RHO Crew Cab
ends up winning over the 2025 Toyota Tacoma Trail Hunter.
Extreme capability?
The title goes to Ram 1500RHO Crew Cab
Lexus LX700H OverTrail comes in second.
When it comes to best value,
the Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring gets the win,
followed by Kia Sorento X Pro.
In the electrified category,
Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT earns first place,
Subaru Forester Hybrid snags second.
And congratulations to the Northwest Outdoor Vehicle of the Year winner,
the very popular 2025 Ram 1500RHO Crew Cab
takes Mudfest 2025's grand prize
with Subaru Forester Hybrid as the runner-up.
An event like this takes a village,
a shout-out to the Mudfest Committee for all their hard work.
I'm now the NWAPA president,
so I witnessed the massive effort firsthand.
It's impressive. I just delegate.
We couldn't do this without the manufacturers
bringing their vehicles,
and it helps to have representatives on hand.
The staffs at Driveshop and Page One
start long before the event begins
and are the last to leave. Thank you very much.
The Ridge Motorsports Park is the perfect venue
to hold something like this.
I really need to drive the big track someday.
And if you're in the Pacific Northwest,
Alderbrook Resort and Spa on Hood Canal
is uniquely calming. Plus, if you drive an EV,
it has multiple chargers, and they're free.
Not that anyone's going to feel sorry for me,
but, you know, trying to get through 20 vehicles,
evaluate them fairly, and photograph them.
It's not easy. It's actually work.
And I should probably watch my line here.
Finally, as a video producer,
this event is challenging,
but I got every shot I needed, except one.
For some reason, my DJI Action 5
switched into portrait mode,
so I couldn't really use the conversation
that I had with Subaru's Miranda Jimenez.
You can't see either one of us, really.
Hope you enjoyed the video, and if you did,
subscribe to the channel, okay?
Click notifications.
You can follow me on social media.
I'm on all the major platforms,
and if you would like to contribute to the channel
and make this all worth my while,
I would appreciate it.
Google doesn't seem to be paying an awful lot these days.
This is a labor of love.
Yeah, it is a blast, okay?
I'll give you that. This is a great event.
Thanks for watching.
That's Driven.
I'm Tom Volk.
Oh, there it is.
It's still rolling.
You're still rolling.
About this episode
Mudfest 2025 showcases the evolving landscape of SUVs and pickups, emphasizing practicality and versatility for everyday use rather than extreme off-roading. With 21 vehicles tested, including electrified models, the event highlights on-road performance and off-road capabilities. Notable competitors include the Ram 1500RHO, Toyota Tacoma Trail Hunter, and luxury options like the Genesis GV70. The winners are crowned across various categories, with the Ram 1500RHO taking the grand prize as Northwest Outdoor Vehicle of the Year. Insights from manufacturers and journalists add depth to the evaluations.
Every year, Northwest Automotive Press Association members get together to hold Mudfest, the NW Activity Vehicle of the Year competition. It's a real world look at the kinds of vehicles people are buying today, not just crawling over rocks and trees. 19 automotive Northwest Automotive Press Association writers assembled at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA for two days of on-pavement and off-road evaluation. Check out the category winners and see which machine takes home the grand prize of NW Activity Vehicle of the Year!
Also, you'll want to watch to the very end…
Special thanks to Aaron Hanson, Erin Kemp, the staff of DriveShop and Page One Automotive, Connie Peters, Kristen Brown, J.R. Chocco, John Vincent, Jim Redden, Bengt Halvorson, Nik Miles, The Ridge Motorsports Park and Alderbrook Resort for their part in making Mudfest 2025 a huge success.
