NWAPA Mudfest 2026: Proof Your Family SUV Wants to Get Dirty

But let’s reverse the snark for a moment. What if today’s family “soft roaders” actually can tackle tough terrain?

That’s the reason for the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s Mudfest 2026.

TO SEE THE MUDFEST 2026 VIDEO, VISIT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL DRIVEN CAR REVIEWS

For 32 years, the members of NWAPA (as it will be referred to going forward) have gathered in the Pacific Northwest to answer the question buyers rarely get to explore themselves without risk to their vehicle: what happens when today’s SUVs and pickups leave suburbia behind?

Held at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington, the annual evaluation event brought together 18 veteran automotive journalists and 18 brand-new vehicles for two grueling days of testing. The field ranged from mainstream family crossovers like the Toyota RAV4 Woodland and Subaru Outback Wilderness to luxury entries such as two version of the Genesis GV80 and the all-electric Lucid Gravity Grand Touring. There were hybrids, EVs, ruggedized soft-roaders, traditional off-road machines and two unapologetically loud V8’s (from Stellantis, naturally) the Ram 1500 Warlock pickup and Jeep Wrangler Moab 392. The two probably dropped fuel economy numbers within a three-county radius simply by idling.

What united these vehicles was a shared mission: prove they can handle more than Costco runs and school pickups.

America’s automotive tastes have shifted dramatically over the last decade. Since 2020, SUVs and crossovers have firmly overtaken sedans as the nation’s default family transportation. Buyers may never attempt a steep dirt climb or cross an axle-twisting rut field, but they like knowing their vehicle could do it if civilization collapses on the way to REI. Mudfest exists to separate marketing promises from reality.

A Different Kind of Comparison Test

Unlike most media drive events, Mudfest puts every vehicle through the exact same conditions, back-to-back, on the same days. Each journalist drives every vehicle. Weaknesses are difficult to disguise when hopping directly from the new 2026 Mazda CX-5 into a Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo Comparing the closely related Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro and Kia Telluride X-Pro within minutes of one another is a gift.

Manufacturers also send product specialists to explain the finer points of their vehicles. That matters more than ever in a market now overflowing with trims, drivetrains and off-road branding packages that sound like energy drinks.

Hyundai, for example, emphasized that the new Palisade XRT Pro is far more than a cosmetic appearance package. Previous XRT models leaned heavily on rugged styling cues. The Pro designation adds meaningful hardware upgrades, including increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, skid plates and an electronic limited-slip rear differential designed for genuine trail use. In other words, this one finally brought hiking boots instead of just dressing like it owns them.

Even seasoned automotive journalists benefit from these walkarounds. With more than 300 vehicles currently on sale in America, nobody can be an expert on everything. Especially when trim names now read like random password generators.

More Than Just Off-Roading

Despite the name, Mudfest is not purely an off-road contest. This is a real world test of wills and that means a lot pavement duty.

Vehicles compete in categories including Two-Row Family SUV, Three-Row Family SUV, Luxury SUV, Pickup Truck, Electrified Activity Vehicle, Extreme Capability Vehicle and Best Value. Judges consider acceleration, braking, ride quality, handling, interior design, cargo flexibility, technology usability, pricing and overall livability.

In many ways, the pavement testing is even more important than the dirt course. Most of these vehicles will spend the overwhelming majority of their lives commuting, running errands and transporting families while carrying exactly one reusable grocery bag rolling around in the cargo area.

The first day is focused entirely on on-road behavior. Acceleration runs, panic-stop braking exercises and slalom testing exposed how differently these SUVs behave when pushed beyond normal driving conditions. The Ridge’s compact karting circuit — a scaled-down replica of the main road course complete with elevation changes — added another layer of scrutiny.

The 2026 Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige Black and Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T Prestige illustrated how drive modes can dramatically alter a vehicle’s personality. Switching from normal to sport mode sharpened throttle response and handling enough to be immediately noticeable on the tight karting track.

Meanwhile, the hulking Ram 1500 Warlock proved unexpectedly entertaining in the corners. There is something delightfully absurd about hustling a full-size pickup through a go-kart course, HEMI V8 rumbling away while the suspension leans hard enough to make passengers suddenly discover religion. Or disavow it.

Interior quality also plays a major role in scoring because cabins are what owners experience every day. The redesigned 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line impressed judges with upscale materials, genuine wood trim and stitching details that gave it a near-luxury ambiance for around 45 grand including destination.

Back-to-back testing sharpened impressions quickly. Several journalists remarked that the Tiguan Turbo’s upgraded engine and refined chassis gave the traditionally sporty CX-5 genuine competition in the driver-engagement department.

Dirt, Rocks and Reality Checks

If day one is about suburban life, day two explores possibility.

Mudfest’s off-road course is not a rock-crawling playground designed solely for hardcore enthusiasts. Instead, it simulates very poorly maintained forest service roads — exactly the kind of terrain adventurous owners might realistically encounter while camping, skiing or reaching remote trailheads in the Pacific Northwest.

Even so, the course is intimidating enough to make the average crossover owner turn back to check their insurance policy coverage.

Steep hill climbs, deep ruts, mud pits, moguls and uneven surfaces challenge traction systems and suspension tuning in ways most owners will never attempt. Yet modern SUVs continue to surprise with how capable they have become. In many ways it comes down to ground clearance.

The all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland demonstrated that balance particularly well. Its lifted suspension and all-terrain tires slightly compromised on-road sharpness, but off pavement the Woodland felt completely at home. Now offered exclusively as a hybrid, it also brings meaningful fuel-efficiency advantages to buyers who want rugged styling without sacrificing economy.

The closely related Palisade XRT Pro and Telluride X-Pro highlighted another reality of modern vehicle development: shared platforms do not guarantee identical personalities. Driving them consecutively revealed subtle but distinct differences in ride quality, steering feel and cabin ambiance. Siblings, yes. Twins, no. The interiors are completly different other than some user interface similarities.

Subaru arrived with a notably electrified lineup. Among the five electrified entries was the new Subaru Uncharted, an EV that climbed Mudfest’s steepest hill with surprising ease. Instant electric torque and quick-reacting all-wheel-drive systems continue to give EVs distinct advantages in low-speed traction situations. Turns out electrons are pretty good at climbing hills.

Its larger sibling, the Subaru Trailseeker Limited, effectively channels the spirit of an electric Outback wagon, albeit with more polished styling. Spacious, practical and quietly competent, it became one of the breakout stars of the event.

Electric vehicles also transformed the sensory experience of off-roading. In the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring, trail driving occurred in near silence save for birdsong and gravel crunching beneath the tires with the windows down. The Gravity’s low-end torque (and air suspension raised to the max) allowed it to scamper effortlessly up steep grades despite its luxury mission and hefty price tag. It may be the first vehicle ever to combine serene meditation retreat vibes with mud splatter.

Not every participant leaned into hardcore capability. The Polestar 4 skipped the roughest sections of the off-road course entirely, while the ruggedized Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition quietly impressed judges with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system that masked difficult terrain remarkably well.

And then there was the Jeep Wrangler Moab 392.

Powered by a thunderous V8, the Wrangler remained the uncontested king of outright off-road theater. The 392 doesn’t merely arrive — it announces itself like a WWE entrance theme with cupholders. Yet even here, creature comforts mattered. Jeep’s Sky One-Touch power roof allowed drivers to enjoy open-air motoring before sealing things back up at highway speed when weather or dust became a problem. Works at up to 55 miles an hour too.

Capability Most Owners Will Never Use

One recurring theme emerged throughout Mudfest 2026: modern SUVs are vastly more capable than most owners realize.

Journalists repeatedly noted that many buyers would hesitate before taking a $50,000 crossover onto rough terrain, even if the vehicle itself could handle it with ease. The gap between perceived capability and actual capability has never been wider. Or more expensive.

The Subaru Outback Wilderness embodied that idea perfectly. Raised suspension, all-terrain tires and extra cladding (or course it has extra cladding) gave it a rugged aesthetic, but more importantly, it calmly absorbed rutted forest roads without drama. No, it is not a rock crawler. But for realistic outdoor adventures, it is more than enough.

Technology is also reshaping off-road confidence. Front-facing trail cameras are common across the segment, effectively acting as digital spotters for drivers navigating blind crests and obstacles. Which is good, because humans get fussy in inclement weather

Ironically, my cameras filming the event (should you decide to watch my video on YouTube) often made the terrain look easier than it actually was. Many sections of Mudfest’s course were rough enough that average owners would likely turn around long before reaching the end.

And the Winners Are…

After two days of scoring, the ballots were tabulated.

The margins were razor-thin — in some categories, separated by only a point or two. Which is impressive considering journalists generally agree on absolutely nothing except free coffee.

Mudfest 2026 Winners

Two-Row Family SUV: Subaru Trailseeker Limited

Three-Row Family SUV: Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD

Luxury SUV: Lucid Gravity Grand Touring

Pickup Truck: Ram 1500 Warlock Crew Cab 4x4

Electrified Activity Vehicle: Subaru Trailseeker Limited

Extreme Capability Vehicle: Jeep Wrangler Moab 392

Best Value NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland

And the overall NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year?

That would be the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Limited claimed the top honor, with the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring finishing as runner-up.

The Human Side of Mudfest

What viewers rarely see is the logistical effort required to stage an event like this.

Vehicles must be transported nearly 90 miles from Seattle, fueled or charged continuously, cleaned between evaluations and repaired when necessary. Courses require constant maintenance as nearly two dozen journalists repeatedly hammer through mud, rocks and ruts with all the mechanical sympathy of raccoons in a garbage can.

NWAPA credited Alderbrook Resort & Spa for hosting participants, while teams from Drive Shop and Page One Automotive worked behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly and looking camera-ready.

After 32 years, Mudfest remains one of the most revealing tests in the industry because it reflects how people actually use — or aspire to use — their vehicles. It is not just about conquering obstacles. It is about understanding which SUVs and trucks deliver the best balance of comfort, capability, technology and value in everyday life.

And based on the competition in 2026, buyers have never had more capable choices… even if most of them are still headed straight to the grocery store.

Here’s the Full List of Competitors at NWAPA Mudfest 2026

TWO-ROW FAMILY VEHICLES

2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT

2026 Jeep Wrangler Moab 392 4x4

2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro

2026 Mazda CX-5 S Premium Plus

2026 Polestar 4 Dual Motor Pilot & Plus

2026 Subaru Outback Touring

2026 Subaru Trailseeker Limited

2026 Subaru Uncharted GT AWD

2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo

THREE-ROW FAMILY VEHICLES

2026 Honda Pilot Elite

2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro

2026 Kia Telluride X-Pro

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition

LUXURY SUV

2026 Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige Black

2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T Prestige

2026 Lucid Gravity Grand Touring

2026 Polestar 4 Dual Motor Pilot & Plus

PICKUP TRUCKS

2026 Ram 1500 Warlock Crew Cab 4x4