Each year the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) holds a competition plotting the best SUVs around the world in grill-to-grill combat against each other. The test includes both an on-road handling course as well as an off-road mud and dirt track testing all aspects of cornering, handling, braking, and good old fashioned mud. I had the opportunity to attend this years event and had a blast riding around with the generous members of NWAPA (I had gotten my information in a week too late, and therefor missed out on the driving portion… Better luck next year…).
Highlights of the day included a motocross track hosed down to afford about 6-12 inches of deep, sticky mud in which to test the SUVs. Other highlights was Toyota’s FJ Cruiser, which seemed to please almost everybody I talked to, both on- and off-road. I personally had the most fun in it than any other car and was glad to see it in true form amidst steep mud and grime. Author Bengt Halvorson also gave me my most thrilling ride during the on-road slalom course in a loose and sloppy Tahoe Z71. I also really enjoyed getting to ride in the Audi Q7, which I had yet to see ‘in the wild.’
