Sunday Drive: A run through the Colorado mountains at RMDE
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- Craig and his sister Marci pose before taking out the new 2024 Nissan Z Nismo from the hotel in Frisco, Colorado.
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- It was a Tuesday when we arrived at the hotel and the vehicles were coming in on trucks for the RMDE event the next day.
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- Our first look at the new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was the night before RMDE at Toyota Regional Headquarters in Denver.
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- At the Toyota event with the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Offroad showing off its skills.
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- The 2025 Ram 1500, pictured during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
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- The 2024 Mazda DX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature, pictured during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
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- The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Offroad, pictured during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
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- The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, pictured during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
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- The 2024 Honda Prologue, pictured during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
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- The 2024 Fiat 500e, pictured during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
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- All the vehicles are at the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience are lined up during a nighttime static display in Frisco, Colorado.
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- The 2024 Stanta Fe Calligraphy AWD, pictured during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
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- The 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD long Range, pictured during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
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- The 2024 Mercedes EQE 350+ SUV, pictured during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
During the second week of June, Craig and his sister Marci embarked on a journey to Denver for the annual Rocky Mountain Driving Experience, or RMDE. This two-day event offers automotive journalists from the Rocky Mountain region a unique opportunity to test drive a variety of new vehicles through the scenic and challenging terrains of the Colorado mountains.
Evening kickoff with Toyota
The event kicked off with a pre-show evening at Toyota’s office in Meridian, Colorado. Attendees were treated to an exclusive first look at several new models, including the 2025 Camry, the 2024 Tacoma, the 2025 Crown Signia and the 2024 Land Cruiser. Toyota’s hospitality included a dinner and demonstrations, allowing journalists to get behind the wheel and experience these new offerings firsthand.
Among the highlights of the evening was the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser. Known for its off-road prowess and rich history, the 2024 model did not disappoint. Even though time was limited, the brief drive left a lasting impression with its robust capabilities and competitive pricing.
Day One: Journey through the Rockies
The first full day of RMDE began with a drive from the hotel in Meridian to Frisco, Colorado, a picturesque town located near Breckenridge at an elevation of over 9,000 feet. Craig’s first ride was in the new 2025 Ram pickup truck, now equipped with a 3.0-liter Hurricane straight-six turbocharged engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque. The new engine performed admirably, making the climb into the Rockies smooth and powerful.
Next, Craig switched to the Mazda CX-50 for the second leg of the journey. The mid-sized SUV has received significant updates this year, including new off-road-focused features such as improved dampers and enhanced electric power steering. These upgrades make the CX-50 more capable on rough terrains, an aspect Craig appreciated as he drove closer to the Continental Divide.
For the ascent over the divide via Hoosier Pass, Craig opted for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The Tacoma’s rugged design and reliable performance made it an ideal choice for the twisty roads and steep climbs, proving its readiness for adventure in the challenging RMDE environment.
Afternoon adventures around Dillon Lake
The afternoon of the first day was dedicated to shorter, 30-minute drives around Dillon Lake in various event vehicles. One notable drive was in the new Toyota Crown Signia, which is set to replace the outgoing Venza model. The Crown Signia impressed with its sleek design and family-friendly features, making it a likely favorite among consumers.
Craig also took the opportunity to test drive several electric vehicles in the mountainous terrain. Honda’s all-new electric Prologue SUV, with an estimated range of over 270 miles, handled the mountainous roads with ease, demonstrating that EVs can perform well even in challenging conditions.
Another EV Craig tested was the Fiat 500e, designed as a “city car” with a range of 149 miles and a full charge time of six hours on a level 2 charger. Despite its urban design, the 500e was a fun and agile vehicle, offering a unique driving experience even in the mountain setting.
Evening static display
The first day concluded with a static display of all the vehicles in the event, arranged in a parking lot with their parking lights on as the sun set. This provided a unique and visually striking way to appreciate the design and features of each vehicle in a different light.
Day Two: More test drives and mountain thrills
The second day started with Craig and Marci taking out the new Nissan Z Nismo. Known for its value in the sports car market, the Z Nismo, with its 400 horsepower and available manual transmission, offered an exhilarating driving experience in the mountain roads.
Craig then moved on to the new Hyundai Santa Fe, which has grown in size for the new model year. Equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, the larger SUV performed admirably in the mountains. Inside, the Santa Fe featured innovative amenities like a glove compartment that can bake and sterilize a smartphone in just 10 minutes.
In the realm of electric vehicles, Craig tested the new Kia EV9, a larger, family-focused SUV that boasts plenty of cargo space and a quick charging time of under 25 minutes to 80% on an ultra-fast DC charger. The EV9 checks all the boxes for a family on the go, with a great design and practical features.
The event also featured the Mercedes EQE SUV, another all-electric vehicle. Smaller and faster than some of the other EVs, the EQE came with a higher price tag but offered luxurious features and a highly engaging driving experience.
Conclusion: RMDE 2024 success
The RMDE 2024 was a resounding success, offering an adventurous and scenic backdrop for testing some of the latest and greatest vehicles on the market. The Colorado Rocky Mountains provided a pristine environment for evaluating the performance, comfort and capabilities of a diverse array of vehicles. As always, the event was a highlight for automotive journalists and car enthusiasts alike, and anticipation is already building for next year’s adventure in the Rockies.
