2023 NWAPA Mudfest: Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year Awards

The winner of the 2023 NWAPA Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year award is the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. This marks the second time in a row in the long history of the NWAPA Mudfest event that a plug-in vehicle has won the overall title. While many might be surprised by this win, especially with the competition it was up against, the Outlander PHEV impressed all who got a chance to experience it firsthand.

Over 2 days, 23 journalists evaluated 22 different AWD/4×4 vehicles, on-road and off. Each vehicle was vying for the overall Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year award, as well as one of seven category awards, the seventh being the new for 2023 “Best Value SUV or Pickup” category.

“Outdoor activity vehicles balance work and play for people who live in the Pacific Northwest and take advantage of recreational opportunities. Competition for the 2023 award shows that the market is evolving as fast or faster than any other automotive segment, offering more choices than ever before,” said NWAPA President and Event Chair Nik Miles.

2023 NWAPA Mudfest Winners

• Two-Row Family SUV — 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe 20th Anniversary Rubicon
  • Runner-up — 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige AWD
• Three-Row Family SUV — 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
  • Runner-up — 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro
• Luxury SUV — 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70
  • Runner-up — 2023 Wagoneer Series II 4×4
• Pickup Truck — 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R
  • Runner-up — 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
• Electrified Utility Vehicle — 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70
  • Runner-up — 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
• Extreme Capability Vehicle — 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe 20th Anniversary Rubicon
  • Runner-up — 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R
• Best Value SUV or Pickup — 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium
  • Runner-up — 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
• NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year — 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
  • Runner-up — 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70

22 Vehicles Tested at NWAPA Mudfest 2023

All 22 vehicles evaluated at NWAPA Mudfest this year were 2023 model-year crossovers/SUVs/trucks. They ranged from a $30,000 Crosstrek to a $453,000 Cullinan, and just about the full gambit in between.

The pickup category consisted of the Ford F-150 Raptor R, Hyundai Santa Cruz, and Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.

The two-row family SUV category consisted of the Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring, Jeep Compass Trailhawk 4×4, Jeep Wrangler 4xe 20th Anniversary Rubicon, Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige AWD, Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition, Subaru Crosstrek Premium, and VW Tiguan 2.0T SEL R-Line.

The three-row family SUV category consisted of the Honda Pilot TrailSport AWD, Hyundai Palisade XRT AWD, Kia Telluride X-Pro, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek, and Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro.

The luxury SUV category consisted of the Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec, BMW X7 M60i, Genesis Electrified GV70, Lexus RX 500h F Sport, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and Wagoneer Series II 4×4.

In keeping with industry trends, the vehicles tested included four traditional hybrids, two plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and the first fully electric vehicle (BEV) to be entered into a Mudfest event.

NWAPA Mudfest Testing

Testing took place over 2 rainy days in Shelton, Wash., at the Ridge Motorsports Park. While no testing was done on the main racetrack at the facility, most of the rest of the grounds were used. Each of the 22 vehicles was evaluated by each of the 23 journalists in attendance.

Day one of Mudfest 2023 was all about on-pavement testing. This started with an autocross-style cone course in the paddock that included a slalom, acceleration from a stop, hard braking to a stop, and a series of curves. This coned course fed evaluators onto the go-kart track, which is an exact replica of the big track.

Day two of Mudfest 2023 was all about off-pavement testing and included a lot more water and mud than in previous years. Hard rains made for a great time and great testing weather. The main off-road evaluation course consisted of a large gravel road loop that had chicanes, potholes, and a section of ever-deepening double-track muddy ruts. This fed into a small horseshoe-shaped off-road evaluation course that included side hills, a log bridge, and an articulation course.

More extreme off-road vehicles were also put through more demanding add-on obstacles that included some steep muddy rutted hills and an ever-deepening rocky bottom water crossing.

2023 NWAPA Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year

The diverse group of journalists at NWAPA Mudfest 2023 awarded the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV the overall Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.

For $51,000, you get a plug-in hybrid vehicle that has a one-pedal driving mode (or very close to it, at least), handles well, offers a comfortable and luxurious interior, and does light off-road duties without missing a beat. It also feels spacious, has a good amount of cargo room, and is ready for a roof rack to haul your bulky outdoor adventure toys.

I didn’t find the Outlander PHEV to be very quick, though, and the electronic nannies when trying to drive it hard and have fun were a bit overbearing.

Best Value SUV or Pickup Award

While I can’t stand the all-plastic interior or the CVT transmission found in the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek, I can’t argue that it’s a good value. Not only was it the least expensive vehicle in this test, by over $8,000, but it also had the best fuel economy numbers of any of the nonelectrified vehicles tested.

The Crosstrek’s AWD system is just really good, and a ton of fun in wet and/or loose conditions. Supercontrolled four-wheel drifts in the gravel and on the mud were attained with little effort, applying a large smile across my face every time.

NWAPA Mudfest 2023: The Best of the Rest

My personal vote for Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year was for the 2023 Mazda CX-50 Meredian Edition, followed closely by the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek.

The CX-50 is just an all-around great value — at $42,000 — for a crossover that is truly fun to drive, has a unique style, and is way more capable off road than it should be.

The Pathfinder Rock Creek — at $45,000 — exceeded expectations on all levels. The chassis was fun and capable, the brakes were really good, and the interior overall felt like a nice place to be — besides the sharp, hard plastic on the door where your knee rests.

I, of course, can’t leave you hanging. Driving the Rolls-Royce Cullinan was, hands down, the most unique experience at the event. At over $450,000, it also cost about the same as the next five most expensive vehicles in this test — combined.

Everything about the Cullinan feels special, except maybe the somewhat generic — dare we say, “safe” — exterior styling. Every touch point in the vehicle is made of fine materials that you just want to touch and experience over and over again. The extremely quiet, refined, and plush ride of the Cullinan is also just different than any other vehicle.

No, besides the novelty, it’s not really great to push through a handling course. And yes, it was pretty scary to take something this valuable off road. But, it handled everything I threw at it with ease.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Review: Great 3-Row Crossover That Happens to Be a Hybrid

The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets more range and more power. But it's the luxurious new cabin and third row that makes it stand out. Read more…