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Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good challenge. Even though I was recovering from a broken wrist, I couldn’t resist the chance to go off-roading with the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press for the annual 4xFall driving event. Thank goodness I went because it was a spectacular day! The driving route took us up to Jones Pass, elevation 12,454 ft. The mountain pass crosses the Continental Divide in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The 2026 Ram 1500, 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, 2025 Honda Passport, 2025 Lexus LX700 and Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter all handled the fresh snow and muddy trails well. In spite of my bum wrist, my favorite was the 2026 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI, but the vehicles all functioned well.
2026 Ram 1500 with the HEMI
There is a reason that drivers are thrilled to keep the HEMI in the lineup. The sound of the truck firing up draws everyone’s attention, and the truck manages even narrow trails beautifully. When Ram announced the return of the 5.7L HEMI for 2026, it received 10,000 orders in the first 24 hours. All of the Ram HEMI V-8s are the eTorque engines. The truck is rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft of torque. The HEMI is available pretty much across the board in 2026 model-year Ram 1500 Tradesman, Big Horn, Express, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel, Limited and Longhorn.
Thankfully, I was able to pair up with a very patient guy to drive the steep routes with the HEMI. Heading uphill was challenging for me because the grade was so steep, at times I was really hanging on the steering wheel. We were able to work out a plan where he drove up the tight turns to the summit and I drove down. The pressure on my bad wrist was less painful driving down. My driving partner happens to own a 2025 Ram 1500 RHO and although he is pleased with his truck, he commented on how much more powerful 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI seemed and sounded.
The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
The Jeep Wrangler is a perennial Colorado favorite and the Rubicon 4xe gives a driver everything they want in an off-roader, including the benefits of an electrified powertrain. It was almost too perfect that while driving up this obscure mountain pass, we had to pull over to let a Jeep Wrangler Willys pass us as the driver was making his way down the mountain. Wranglers are everywhere in the mountains.
The 4xe’s 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine, two electric motors, managed the rural trails with no problem. The 4xe is rated at 49 MPG with 21 miles of all-electric range. It is very cool that you can run the vehicle almost silently, especially on a steep summit. For much of the time it seemed to be just us and the huge hawks out looking for prey.
The 2025 Honda Passport TrailSport
The Honda Passport TrailSport was designed for a day exactly like this one. Its new 3.5 Liter V-6 has more horsepower to handle the steep grades. It is now rated at 285 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. It also has best-in-class cargo room, enough to fit two adult mountain bikes. It also has great second row leg room.
My favorite feature was a built-in altimeter so it could track our elevation as we headed to the 12,400 ft. Jones Pass summit. The performance pages also kept track of the vehicle’s pitch and roll. So far, the TrailSport is the only Passport with the altimeter. Honda put a lot of planning into the new Passport TrailSport and seems to have improved every aspect of the Passport’s already impressive performance.
2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter
While the Toyota 4Runner always performs well, the Trailhunter is a specially designed trim that builds in all the off-roading bells and whistles. The Trailhunter is outfitted straight from the factory with accessories to take you from the street to a mountain experience and is even equipped for overlanding. The 33-inch all-terrain tires boosted ground clearance while giving great off-road traction. We drove the Trail Hunter on the freeway, to the side roads and onto the trails and it performed great on all of the road surfaces. The Trailhunter is rated at 323 horsepower with 465 lb.-ft. of torque. It is one of the 4Runner’s most capable vehicles competing with the popular TRD Pro package.
The 2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail
The 2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail was divine, as comfortable as it was capable. At well over $100,000, it was easily the most expensive vehicle in our group of off-roaders. I would be reluctant to off-road with such a refined SUV but the Overtrail trim is designed to take on the most difficult scenarios. It offers a combined rating of 479-horsepower and 583 lb.-ft of torque. The LX700h has off-road features like a hydraulic suspension with adjustable ground clearance and a waterproofed hybrid battery system. It handled the tight turns and steep grades very well while keeping an incredibly smooth ride.
Every year the 4xFall driving event offers a wide array of test vehicles. All of this year’s contenders performed well providing something for every type of off-roader. This year my recovering wrist was screaming as I headed down the hill but what a great day!
Mary Conway Photos
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories
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