Mudfest
For more than 30 years, the Northwest Automotive Press Association has hosted an annual gathering of the latest SUVs, crossovers, and pickup trucks to choose the top utility vehicles of the year at an event commonly referred to as Mudfest. (The pickup category was added in 2015.) This year, automotive journalists from the Pacific Northwest region (including myself) participated in two days of vehicle testing on the pavement and in the dirt/mud to determine winners of the 2025 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.

Overall Winner
There were 21 vehicles competing in seven categories at this year’s competition, with models ranging from the $33,000 Volkswagen Taos to the Lexus LX that topped the charts at $117,000. Ultimately, it was the powerful 2025 Ram 1500 RHO that came out on top, voted the 2025 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year. “It should come as no surprise that twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder power and the impressive off-road chops of the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO Crew Cab proved to be a winning formula. Ram has offered desirable packages in the past; the RHO continues that streak,” said NWAPA President Tom Voelk.

Categories
Vehicles in the competition were categorized based on price, capability, vehicle style, and size. This year, the categories included Two-Row Family SUV, Three-Row Family SUV, Luxury SUV, Pickup Truck, Electrified Activity Vehicle, Extreme Capability Vehicle, and Best Value.

How to Pick a Winner
Vehicle assessment took place over two days at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. Day One testing occurred on pavement, where each vehicle was evaluated in terms of handling, comfort, ease of parking, and several other criteria. On the second day, vehicles navigated the custom off-road course, showcasing their all-wheel drive systems, suspension systems, and overall capabilities.

On-Road Testing
Many SUVs and trucks are designed with the idea of taking excursions off the beaten path, and while these vehicles are great options for this type of adventure, the reality is that most are used as daily drivers. In an attempt to replicate real-world driving conditions and emergency situations, organizers set up a tight autocross course, slalom, as well as an acceleration and braking section. We had the space to launch from a stop, reach 60 mph, and then quickly brake to a stop. A few vehicles, such as the VW Taos and Acura ADX, excelled in the handling sections but lacked the power to quickly reach 60 mph. While we didn’t have the means to measure acceleration times, the SUV that felt the quickest was the only battery-electric vehicle in the competition – the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT.

Go-Kart Track
One of the unique features of The Ridge Motorsports Park is its go-kart track, which replicates the turns and elevation changes of the full racetrack. Testing the utility vehicles on the full track wasn’t appropriate; however, the go-kart track was ideal for showcasing the on-road handling and capabilities of these vehicles on a closed course. With several elevation changes and some tight corners, the course approximated real-world situations that vehicles might encounter in the hands of everyday consumers.

Interior Comfort and Convenience
Crossover SUVs and pickup trucks are often used as the primary family vehicle, so interior features, convenience, and comfort are equally as important as overall utility. Each vehicle underwent assessment for rear-seat space as well as cargo-carrying ability. Infotainment systems, control layout, and voice integration systems were also taken into account.

Off-road Testing
When it comes to off-road capability, not all SUVs are created equal. All the vehicles we tested featured all-wheel drive, but some were better equipped to handle more extreme conditions, thanks to higher ground clearance, locking differentials, specialized suspension systems, and all-terrain tires for improved traction. To level the playing field and provide a more consistent experience across different vehicles, the organizers created a custom course that all vehicles could handle, with separate sections for the more capable models.

Getting Dirty
The Pacific Northwest is known for its rainy weather, but after a dry spell, the course was more dirt than mud. Still, it proved a proper test, showcasing these vehicles’ adventurous side. The course included steep climbs on loose dirt that demonstrated how power is distributed for maximum traction, and the descents provided an opportunity to test hill descent control, a common feature in many SUVs and trucks. A higher-speed track with loose gravel and dirt was ideal for testing handling and stability control systems when traction was limited.

Into the Water, Over the Hills
The rain may have stayed away, but the organizers still provide a bit of mud, along with a deep water feature to traverse. Following a splash through the water, each vehicle crossed a log bridge to test its suspension, then drove through deep moguls, which not only favored vehicles with more wheel travel but also demonstrated how well the all-wheel drive and traction control worked together when two wheels were off the ground.

Choosing the Top Vehicles
After two days of evaluation, each journalist selected their top vehicle in each category. Additional winners were named as the best value for vehicles priced below $45,000, as well as a winner for extreme capability vehicles. Here are the winning vehicles for each category:

Two-Row Family SUV Winner: 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 was the only battery-electric vehicle entered in the 2025 competition, showcasing the versatility and power of an electric vehicle. Acceleration was strong, thanks to the instant torque inherent in an electric vehicle, and the low center of gravity, due to the battery placement, added to the Hyundai’s excellent handling. The XRT is new for the 2025 model year, featuring off-road tires and slightly increased ground clearance compared to the standard model. Its combination of on-road performance and off-road capability places it at the top of its class.

Two-Row Family SUVs
The rest of this group included the Subaru Forester Hybrid, Honda Passport Trailsport, Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson XRT, Acura ADX A-Spec, Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, and Volkswagen Taos.

Three-Row Family SUV Winner: 2025 Jeep Wagoneer Series II Overland
The Jeep Wagoneer gains added off-road capability for the 2025 model year with the introduction of the new Overland special edition. Already outfitted with a luxurious cabin and a powerful engine, the new Overland features 32-inch all-terrain tires fitted to stylish 20-inch aluminum wheels, Quadra-Drive four-wheel drive with an electronic limited-slip differential, air suspension, skid plates, and a Selec-Terrain traction management system. This impressive capability, along with the Wagoneer’s excellent everyday drivability, put it ahead of the competition.

Three-Row Family SUVs
This group also included the Nissan Armada Pro-4X, Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition, and Kia Sorento X-Pro

Luxury SUV Winner: 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige
Updated for the 2026 model year, the Genesis GV70 offers impressive on-road performance, distinctive styling, and an elegant cabin featuring the latest advanced safety features. The seats are extremely comfortable, and the new 27-inch OLED display, which combines infotainment and driver information, gives the GV70 a high-tech vibe. With good power and excellent handling both on the pavement and in the dirt, the GV70 is a joy to drive.

Luxury SUVs
Genesis had loaded the deck in this group, bringing two additional models with the Genesis GV80 3.5T and GV80 Coupe 3.5T. Also competing for the Luxury SUV crown were the Ineos Grenadier Fieldmaster and Lexus LX 700h Overtrail.

Pickup Truck Winner: 2025 Ram 1500 RHO
Ram introduced an updated 1500 pickup truck for the 2025 model year, and one of the additions to the lineup was the all-new RHO off-road truck. Boasting 541 horsepower and a 0-60 time of just 4.6 seconds, the Ram RHO brings all the hauling and towing capability expected of a full-size pickup. It features a high-end cabin with comfortable seating in the front and back, as well as the latest advanced technology features, including an available 10.25-inch passenger touchscreen display. Handling and comfort are surprisingly good on the road, and its off-road prowess outclassed much of the competition.

Pickup Trucks
Only two other trucks were entered in the competition: the Ineos Grenadier Pickup Trialmaster and the Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter.

Electrified Activity Vehicle Winner: 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT
As the only full-electric vehicle, it wasn’t a surprise that the Hyundai earned the top spot in the Electrified category. Other electrified hybrid vehicles included the Subaru Forester Hybrid, Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Toyota 4Runner, Lexus LX 700h, and Toyota Tacoma.

Extreme Capability Vehicle: 2025 Ram 1500 RHO
The Ram 1500 RHO comes straight from the factory with all the power and features needed to tackle the most rugged off-road terrain. In addition to its 540-horsepower engine, the RHO boasts standard 35-inch off-road tires that ensure excellent traction, an advanced suspension, nine different drive modes, Bilstein Black Hawk e2 Shocks, a heavy-duty locking differential, and 11.8 inches of ground clearance. While the off-road course proved challenging to some of the vehicles, the Ram 1500 RHO breezed through all of the tasks with ease.

Best Value NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle: 2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid
Subaru introduced a new Forester last year and, for 2025, added the efficient hybrid powertrain. With a starting price below $40,000, standard all-wheel drive, and an EPA fuel economy rating of 35 mpg combined, the Forester delivers a lot for the money. The vehicle we tested was priced at $44,005 (with destination charge), but as the top-level trim of the Forester Hybrid, it comes fully loaded with the latest advanced safety features as well as an easy-to-use infotainment system displayed on an 11.6-inch touchscreen. The Forester Hybrid proved quite capable in all of the off-road situations.

Overall Winner: Ram 1500 RHO
With its combination of on-road poise and off-road prowess, as well as its spacious, comfortable interior, the Ram 1500 RHO rightfully earned its spot at the top. But more importantly, it was just a blast to drive. The big truck boasts plenty of power and a lovely soundtrack emanating from its large exhaust pipes, delivering all the capability expected of a ½-ton pickup. While it may not be the ideal vehicle for everyone – it only gets 15 mpg, and it isn’t cheap – the Ram 1500 RHO won’t disappoint as a fun everyday pickup truck.