I traveled to Colorado to drive vehicles through the mountains in an off-road event put on by the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP). The 4xFall event brings manufacturers together with journalists in the Rocky Mountain region, taking a pavement-free path through the high mountains. It’s a great test and side-by-side comparison of four-wheel and all-wheel models.
This year, the models included some great entries from Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Subaru, and Toyota. Here’s my impressions of them as I drove and rode along through the off-road loop.
Kia Sorento X-Line
This was the least likely candidate for this off-road event and thus the most interesting to drive. The Sorento is not known for off-pavement prowess and its X-Line package is largely cosmetic, though the tires are definitely an improvement for this kind of trekking.
I like the new Sorento (full review here) and it did very well for itself on the trail. Proof that driving skill can often overcome terrain challenges.
Land Rover Defender
Fresh from a mid-cycle refresh, the Defender lived up to its name in the Colorado mountains. Many dismiss these new Rovers as pavement princesses, but when it came down to it, this was one of the most capable off-roaders of the day.
The beauty of a Rover is its nonchalant attitude towards off-pavement activity. It just does it. No worries at all. You can read my full review of the Defender here.
Lexus GX
As the Lexus version of the Toyota Land Cruiser (see below), the GX is completely new. Long a favorite of off-road modifiers and desert racers, the GX stays true to its course, but improves on-road presence and fuel efficiency in this new generation.
On this course, it was an easy choice for getting around in the rocks and dirt. Judicious use of the throttle is required, though, as the new turbocharged engine performs very differently from the big V8s of the GX’s past. My full review of the GX can be found here.
Subaru Forester
Some of the journalists in attendance were surprised to see the Forester at this off-road event. I was delighted. I haven’t driven a Suby in a couple of years and they’re always underestimated as off-road machines. It did not disappoint.
Most of my time in this one was on the road as a passenger and then off-road in one of the more difficult parts of the off-road loop. Yet I carried a conversation with passengers and barely thought about the drive ahead because so long as the clearance is accounted for, angles are easy to make so the Forester can climb over, around, or across obstacles.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Like the GX, the Land Cruiser has completely changed but still keeps most of its roots. On this off-road course, it made even the least skilled driver look like a pro. The legendary prowess of the Land Cruiser remains intact.
I will soon fully review the new Land Cruiser as it is, but you can find out details from Toyota’s initial press release here.
Toyota Tacoma
Two Tacoma models were at the event, the TRD Pro and the new Trailhunter. I had not yet driven either of these in the new design, but have driven the TRD Off-Road model. Which sits below these two in off-road capability (and price). The Tacoma TRD Off-Road is great as an all-arounder, but the TRD Pro and Trailhunter are a whole new level.
The Tacoma TRD Pro is aimed towards more general and speedier off-road use, such as deserts, hills, and mid-level terrain at speed. The Trailhunter model is more about slow crawling, rock climbing, and the like. Both were really good and, honestly, overbuilt for the off-road trails we were tackling in Colorado. Too easy.
