2024 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year Crowned

The Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) just wrapped up its annual Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year competition, better known as Mudfest. Twenty crossovers, SUVs, and trucks were evaluated back-to-back on- and off-road over 2 days on specially prepared courses at the Ridge Motorsports Park facility in Shelton, Wash.

The event was a massive success for NWAPA. It provided an amazing vehicle review palate builder for its journalist members — I was one of them — while providing an intimate networking and vehicle showcase setting for its manufacturer members.

You might ask why you should care about all that. Well, its a two-fold thing. One, you’ll get better, more informed vehicle reviews from automotive journalists like myself. And two, the event helped spotlight the new vehicles you might want to consider for your next adventuremobile.

NWAPA Mudfest 2024 Competitors

Twenty vehicles vied for the title of NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year at NWAPA Mudfest 2024. The vehicles had a great mix of layouts and powertrains (ICE and electric), but one constant was that they all had some sort of AWD/4WD system.

Here are the contenders:

2-Row Family SUVs

2024 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD
2024 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door Rubicon X
2024 Mazda CX 50 Premium Plus AWD
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
2024 Subaru Solterra

3-Row Family SUVs

Luxury SUVs

2024 Genesis GV70
2024 Ineos Grenadier
2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4MATIC

Pickup Trucks

NWAPA Mudfest Categories & Winners

While each of the contenders has its strengths and weaknesses, the following stood out from the crowd to the assembled NWAPA media members.

Two-Row Family SUV: 2024 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door Rubicon X
Three-Row Family SUV: 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD
Luxury SUV: 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail
Pickup Truck: 2024 Chevrolet Colorado 4WD ZR2 Bison
Electrified Outdoor Utility Vehicle: 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD
Extreme Capability SUV: 2024 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door Rubicon X
Best Value NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year: 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail

2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail Wins NWAPA Mudfest

As was my vote at the competition, the 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail took home the overall win. It was named the 2024 NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.

“The Lexus GX has traditionally been a remarkable off-road vehicle, and this new generation proved itself with not only luxury features but also capability. The competition was extremely tight and some of the votes were very close, but overall, members of the Northwest Automotive Press Association chose the 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail as the 2024 Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year,” said NWAPA President Nik Miles.

Poor fuel economy and premium fuel are about the only real faults I have with the GX 550 Overtrail. Oh, and that awful wart of a hitch cover on the rear bumper.

Also, while the price tag is justified in today’s market, it is still steep. The tested SUV comes in with a sticker price of $71,270 — but on the current market, you can expect some very large dealer markups.

Otherwise, it’s really hard not to consider the new GX as an all-around, do-everything adventure machine. It’s comfortable, quiet, and spacious for on-road adventures with family and friends. And, straight off the showroom floor, it can easily tackle some serious off-road terrain.

If you want more details on the 2024 Lexus GX 550, please check out my full review.