Twenty years ago, the automotive journalists in the Northwest set out to select their favorite SUV of year with an event called “Mudfest."

The two-day evaluation covered on road driving and some light off road activities. Over the years, the event has grown and changed almost as much as the segment of vehicles being evaluated. SUV’s have morphed into smaller, more car like vehicles that are much more comfortable to drive while still maintaining some off road capabilities. Vehicles evaluated in this year’s Mudfest included the newer compact SUV, a host of “crossover" vehicles or CUV’s and even some trucks.

The winners in each category were:

Best Compact: 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4x4
Best Premium Compact: Land Rover Discovery Sport HSE
Best Family: 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4
Best Premium: 2015 Acura MDX AWD
Best Extreme Capability: 2015 RAM 2500 Power Wagon Crew Cab 4x4
Best Pickup: 2015 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Crew Cab 4x4 EcoDiesel
Best Overall: 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4x45

http://www.golocalpdx.com/business/recap-n...ns-mudfest

Off to have a closer look at that 2015 RAM 2500 Power Wagon Crew Cab 4x4...