Each May, the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) hosts Mudfest at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA. This year, 19 journalists from various websites and publications had the opportunity to test a variety of AWD and 4WD vehicles on both smooth pavement and the same challenging dirt course, which, as the name suggests, includes plenty of mud. The vehicle that impresses the most wins the coveted NWAPA Outdoor Vehicle of the Year award. Team Gillman Subaru of Clear Lake is proud to announce that the 2026 NWAPA Outdoor Vehicle of the Year award went to the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker.

This event gathers 4WD and AWD models, with most manufacturers bringing their newest models for journalists and automotive experts to fully evaluate. The vehicles are divided into four classes:

• Two-Row Family Vehicles
• Three-Row Family Vehicles
• Luxury SUVs
• Pickup Trucks

Despite the event’s name, the first day of testing evaluates the model’s on-road performance, including acceleration, braking, a tight slalom, and hot laps on a tight go-kart track. On the second day, the vehicles hit the off-road course, where they are tested for ground clearance, traction, suspension articulation, mud capability, and overall off-road capability.

Of the seven category wins, Trailseeker Limited won two – both the Electrified Activity Vehicle and Two-Row Family SUV classes – and was the only vehicle present to win more than one.

For the Electrified Activity Vehicle category, the Trailseeker competed against the Hyundai IONIQ 5, the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring, and the Trailseeker’s Uncharted sibling. The Two-Row Family Vehicle category was much broader, including all EV models plus 10 other gas and hybrid models. The Trailseeker nailed the on-road tests and was described by OffRoad Extreme as “a lot of fun to drive spiritedly in the dirt.” So impressive was the Trailseeker’s performance that the 19 journalists voted it “overall 2026 NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.” Off-Road Extreme described the winner this way, “Its combination of on-road performance and off-road prowess made it a jack of all trades. If it’s like other Subarus, it’s destined to get more off-road ability via the aftermarket, turning this Trailseeker into a real adventuremobile.”

This shows that Subaru can infuse its performance values into its EVs just as well as into its legendary Crosstrek, Outback, and Forester models. EVs are not for everyone, but perhaps the Trailseeker will fit into your life, whether you like to venture off the pavement for a while or prefer to stay on it. Either way, the Trailseeker is worth a look, and if you live on the Southwest side of Houston, Team Gillman Subaru of Clear Lake is the place to check out the new Trailseeker.