Mudfest
It’s been more than three decades since the Northwest Automotive Press Association hosted a gathering of new SUVs to determine which was the ideal model for the Pacific Northwest. Now, 32 years later, the annual event, nicknamed “Mudfest”, continues to bring together SUVs, crossovers, and pickup trucks to determine which is the best in its class. Automotive journalists from the Pacific Northwest region and beyond (including myself) participated in two days of vehicle testing on and off pavement to determine the winner of the 2026 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.

An Electric Winner
At this year’s event, 18 vehicles competed in seven categories with prices ranging from the $41,080 Mazda CX-5 to the $125,650 Lucid Gravity. Ultimately, it was the all-new Subaru Trailseeker that took the top honors, and is the first electric vehicle ever to be voted the 2026 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year. “The powerful powertrain, a quiet and spacious cabin, plus the ability to confidently deliver a family to outdoor adventures gave the Subaru Trailseeker Limited the advantage needed to win our most prestigious prize,” said NWAPA President Tom Voelk.

Categories
Vehicles in the competition were categorized by price, capability, vehicle style, and size, with an additional category for electrification. 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.

Choosing a Winner
Two days of vehicle testing took place at the Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. We stuck to the pavement on day one, evaluating each vehicle on handling, comfort, ease of use, and several other criteria. The following day, vehicle performance was assessed on loose gravel, rough terrain, and a custom off-road course, showcasing all-wheel-drive systems, suspension, cameras, and overall capabilities.

Keeping it Clean – Testing on Pavement
While many customers purchase SUVs and trucks with the idea of venturing off-road, many never put their wheels in the dirt. To replicate on-road conditions in a controlled, safe environment, vehicles were tested on a tight autocross course, followed by an acceleration-and-braking section with enough room for all vehicles to reach 60 mph. Models like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Mitsubishi Outlander delivered agile performance through tight turns, but it was the EVs that stood out in the acceleration test. The Polestar 4 and Subaru Trailseeker were very quick off the line, but the Lucid Gravity, with more than 800 horsepower, left all others in its dust, exceeding 90 mph in the same distance that the Honda Pilot or Kia Sportage took to reach 60 mph.

Handling Course
One of the unique features of The Ridge Motorsports Park is its go-kart track that replicates the turns and elevation changes of the full racetrack. While it might have been enjoyable, testing 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, tight corners, and quick direction changes, the course approximated real-world situations that these vehicles might encounter in everyday scenarios.

Getting Dirty – Off-Pavement Testing
When it comes to off-road capability, not all SUVs are created equal, and that’s OK. All the vehicles in the competition featured all-wheel drive and factory tires. However, some were better suited to handle more extreme conditions with higher ground clearance, locking differentials, specialized suspension systems, and all-terrain tires for improved traction. This year’s course was set up so that all vehicles – from the Mazda CX-5 to the Jeep Wrangler – could follow the same route.

Not Much Mud
The Pacific Northwest is well known for its rainy weather, but this year it was dry, and the course was more dirt than mud. Still, it proved a proper test, showcasing these vehicles’ adventurous side and providing situations that owners may encounter on weekend adventures. 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 rugged trail provided a good suspension test, while a higher-speed section with loose gravel and dirt was ideal for testing handling and stability control systems with limited traction.

Custom Course
It may not have rained recently, but the custom off-road course included a water pit along with some homemade mud. 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 Winners
After two days of evaluation, each journalist selected their top vehicle in each category. Additional winners were named for best value among vehicles priced below $45,000, as well as for extreme-capability vehicles and the best electrified vehicle. Here are the winning vehicles for each category:

Two-Row Family SUV: 2026 Subaru Trailseeker
All-new for the 2026 model year, the Subaru Trailseeker boasts a powerful and efficient dual-motor electric drivetrain that proved quite capable on and off the pavement. With 375 horsepower on tap and all-wheel drive with variable power distribution front to rear, the Trailseeker delivered quick acceleration with impressive grip on the handling course. With standard X-Mode, which optimizes the all-wheel-drive system for off-road ventures, the EV showed proper Subaru off-road prowess, easily handling the off-pavement testing.

Two-Row Family SUV Class
The largest group in the competition, this class also included the Hyundai Ioniq5 XRT, Jeep Wrangler Moab 392, Kia Sportage X-Pro, Mazda CX-5 S Premium Plus, Subaru Outback Wilderness, Subaru Uncharted GT, Toyota RAV4 Woodland, and Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line.

Three-Row Family SUV: 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro
The largest model in the Kia lineup, the Telluride is all-new for the 2027 model year. The updated Telluride gets a sleeker, more modern look and is larger yet more aerodynamic than its predecessor. Inside, the Telluride is stylish and comfortable, with a high-tech cabin featuring dual 12.3-inch displays and seating for up to eight passengers. Kia also provided a significant update to the off-road-ready X-Pro, which now boasts 9.1 inches of ground clearance, off-road-tuned suspension, and all-terrain tires, all of which help the Telluride excel during off-road excursions.

Three-Row Family SUV Class
Additional three-row models included the Honda Pilot Elite, Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro, and Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition.

Luxury SUV: 2026 Lucid Gravity Grand Touring
Lucid is one of the newest American automotive brands, and the Gravity is its second model. With a sleek design and luxurious cabin, the Gravity stands apart from the typical SUV, and that’s before you drive it. Behind the wheel, the Lucid is shockingly good, both on and off the pavement. Its dual-motor electric drivetrain delivers 828 horsepower, propelling this three-row SUV to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds. Torque vectoring helps the Gravity pivot around corners like it’s on rails, while the adjustable air suspension can provide more than 9 inches of ground clearance. Aside from its rather high price, the Lucid Gravity is hard to beat.

Luxury SUV Class
Also included in this class were the Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige Black, Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T Prestige Black, and Polestar 4 Dual Motor.

Pickup Truck: 2026 Ram 1500 Warlock
The Ram 1500 Warlock is an ideal choice for the truck customer that wants off-road capability but doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. With standard four-wheel drive and the available 395-horsepower HEMI V8, the Ram 1500 Warlock features an electronic-locking rear differential, raised ground clearance, skid plates, all-terrain tires, tow hooks, and hill-descent control. A standard bench seat provides seating for up to six passengers, with a spacious rear seat, and the standard 8.4-inch touchscreen is on the small side but provides an intuitive experience with the Uconnect multimedia infotainment system. The Ram 1500 Warlock was the only pickup truck in the competition.

Electrified Activity Vehicle: 2026 Subaru Trailseeker
This year’s event had more electrified vehicles than ever before. But it was the Subaru Trailseeker that was voted the best in its class, thanks to its impressive combination of power, efficiency, everyday drivability, and off-road prowess.

Electrified Activity Vehicle Class
Additional electrified vehicles included the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT, Subaru Uncharted GT, Toyota RAV4 Woodland Hybrid, Lucid Gravity Grand Touring, and Polestar 4 Dual Motor.

Extreme Capability Vehicle: 2026 Jeep Wrangler Moab 392
It’s hard to match the impressive off-road capability of a Jeep Wrangler, and with the 470-horsepower 6.4-liter HEMI V8 under the hood, it is quite the beast. New for the 2026 model year, the Moab 392 comes ready for adventure with standard 35-inch all-terrain tires, full-time four-wheel drive, and a dual-mode exhaust system that sounds like a muscle car. We ventured into sections of the course that no other model could tackle, and the Jeep made it look easy. While the Ford Bronco could have easily challenged the Jeep, Ford chose not to enter a vehicle in this year’s event.

Best Value: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland
An all-new Toyota RAV4 arrived this year, and one of the new variants in this 6th-generation model is the off-road-ready Woodland. With a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain putting out a healthy 236 horsepower while getting an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined, the RAV4 Woodland stands out with standard all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, Rigid fog lights, and 8.5 inches of ground clearance. With an extensive standard equipment list including Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, and even with the optional sunroof, the RAV4 Woodland had a low MSRP of $42,200, including destination charge.

2026 Northwest Activity Vehicle of the Year: 2026 Subaru Trailseeker
While the competition was tough with 18 strong SUV and truck choices, it was the new Subaru Trailseeker that was voted the overall winner at this year’s “Mudfest”. Not only did the Trailseeker deliver impressive performance on and off the pavement, but it also features a stylish, high-tech interior with ample space for passengers and cargo. With an EPA-estimated range of 281 miles and a 117 MPGe combined rating, the powerful Trailseeker is an ideal crossover SUV for both daily chores and off-road adventures.