The field is wide open as automakers make a land grab for America’s garages and driveways. It’s easy to forget that the Mercedes M-Class S.U.V., which made its debut in “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” in 1997, is considered to be the first upmarket sport-ute and a huge risk for the German automaker (though historians often ignore Land Rover’s Range Rover, but I digress).

The luxury S.U.V. bet paid off for Mercedes in a brontosaur-size way, blazing a trail for BMW, Lexus and Porsche to break out of their stereotypes with the X3, RX300 and Cayenne. The luxury winners at this Mudfest were the BMW X7 xDrive 50i in the Full-Size Luxury category, and the Mercedes GLE450 in the Compact and Midsize Luxury segment.

Nowadays, automakers gladly offer any crossover essence you could want. Tugging big toys? Any of the truck-based machines from General Motors, Ford, Dodge, Toyota and Nissan will tow boats, water scooters and campers. Luxury starts with any of the small crossovers (Audi A3, Cadillac XT4 and Lexus UX for starters) and spirals up to the Maserati Levante, Bentley Bentayga and even Rolls-Royce with the Cullinan.

Driving enthusiasts lamenting performance sedans get the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Porsche Macan Turbo, BMW X3M, and Mercedes AMG GLC63. Those on more of a budget have the frisky Mazda CX-5 and Acura RDX with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive to consider.

Don’t want to drive a box? BMW started the controversial “fastback” look with its X6 and X4. Mercedes followed with the GLC300 Coupe (let’s point out this has four doors, not two). Acura was not so successful with its slope-backed ZDX.

Mainstream offerings are all over the map when it comes to earning your business. The winner of Mudfest’s Mid- and Full-Size Family category was the three-row 2020 Kia Telluride SX AWD, most likely because of its blend of Chris Hemsworth looks, technology-stuffed interior and fully loaded price of $47,330. For something less Woodsy Owl, Kia’s corporate cousin Hyundai offers a more genteel look with the Palisade.