The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer introduces a new phase of sophistication, capability, and accessibility for Jeep’s full-size SUV lineup. With a refreshed exterior, expanded powertrain options—including what Jeep describes as “America’s first range-extended electric vehicle (REEV)” (a claim open to debate, given the earlier Chevrolet Volt and BMW i3 REx)—and a simplified model structure under…
The Lidu RV Aquila 360 is Innovative and Lightweight
The Aquila 360 trailer is not what you expect to see here on Expedition Portal, but it has made the cut as it is something that we could imagine traveling with, as a basecamp for exploration. Sure, the trailer does not have the ground clearance or rugged features that usually appeal to us, but it…
First Drive :: 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness
Subaru is rolling out a raft of updated and refreshed models for the 2026 model year. The Japanese manufacturer took the wraps off a redesigned Outback and Outback Wilderness earlier this year (to mixed reviews of its aggressive styling), and the 2026 Crosstrek gets a hybrid version that addresses nearly all the shortcomings of the…
First Drive :: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
In southern Washington state near the slopes of the recently dormant (in geological terms, at least) Mt. Adams volcano, there is a seemingly endless network of old logging roads. They criss-cross over the boundaries of the Yakama Indian Reservation to the east and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to the west. Logging roads always seem…
Overland News of the Week
KC Hilites Has Debuted the Platform One Modular Roof Rack System The Platform One Roof Rack by KC Hilites is a hybrid modular rack system designed to combine clean aesthetics with utility. It features precision-cut aluminum rails and a slotted platform to support gear, while built-in channels simplify integration of KC’s lighting and power systems….
2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness :: What Do You Want to Know?
This week we have the opportunity to test drive the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness for the first time. This is an important car for Subaru, as the Forester from year to year usually vies with the Outback for the top sales spot in their lineup. With big changes in both style and price for the…
The Santa Barbara Series: A Vintage Land Rover Event
Key Event Details What: Classic Series and Defender Land Rovers, limited to pre-2005 vehicles (surely a Puma Defender will slip in) Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025 Time: 09:00-11:00 (main event) Where: Chase Palm Park (right next to the beach) in Santa Barbara, California Vehicle registration: $150 (to campaign your truck; includes a large swag bag,…
The Landrovers: From Cape Town Daydream to Bespoke Defenders
My old Land Rover Defender has seen better days. The instrument binnacle is cracked, the headliner has been replaced with cheap vinyl, the body is scratched and dented from a thousand trails, and the motor has covered 300,000 tough miles across continents. If not a beloved part of the family, my Defender would likely be,…
Subaru Outback Pricing for 2026 Announced
Earlier this year, the 4WD world received a collective shock when Toyota announced a pricing scheme for the 2025 4Runner that ran upwards of $68,000 for the Japan-built truck. The 4Runner’s move upmarket wasn’t unexpected, given the loads of updates and fancy tech that the once-entry-level SUV now features, but even the mid-tier TRD Off-Road…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Fall
AMERICAN NORTHWEST Adventure Van Expo Enumclaw When Sept 6-7, 2025 | Where Enumclaw Fairgrounds, Washington State Featuring fully equipped 4WD Mercedes Sprinters, the Adventure Van Expo is a family-friendly weekend celebrating the vanlife community. Pop in for the day or purchase a camping pass, stick around, and enter the DIY contest to win best Fit-n-Finish,…
Land Rover Honors 75 Years of Adventure at Pebble Beach
When you think of the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, you usually think of the famous waterfront golf course lined with immaculate eight-figure Ferraris and one-off pre-war vehicles from European marques that are long out of business. But for the past two years, Land Rover has made a statement at the iconic event with a…
Overland News of the Week
BFGoodrich Drops 20 New KO3 Tire Sizes (With 40 More on the Way) BFGoodrich’s extensive All-Terrain T/A KO3 launch continues with the addition of 20 new sizes, including various 37- and 40-inch options and a comprehensive selection of LT tires. Designed with improved traction, treadwear, and toughness compared to the KO2s, the KO3s also deliver…
Ford Announces “Model T Moment” :: New Battery Tech, Cheap EV Pickup, Retooling Factories
Ford, like all auto builders, finds itself in a sticky moment. The worldwide landscape of personal mobility appears to be at a tipping point toward widespread electricification, but political and market-driven constraints, along with advancements in hybridization, have prolonged the use of the old technology, perhaps beyond its original lifespan. Sometimes, major shifts in a…
The Defender Octa and Land Rover’s Return to True Adventure
“But would you drive it across Africa?” That was the question journalist and fellow adventurer Dustin Beatty tossed my way as we rolled back into base camp in Grand Junction, Colorado, dusty, exhilarated, and fresh off a day of pushing the new Defender Octa through its paces. For me, that question isn’t hypothetical. It’s the…
The Big Thing :: A Mighty Little Triumph in Montana
Having attended my share of overland events over the years, I half-expected XOverland’s inaugural The Big Thing (July 10–13, 2025) in Montana to feel like a polished production with an established vibe. What I didn’t anticipate was the heart, the attention to detail, and that family-oriented community energy pulsing through the XOverland Ranch like wildfire….
Toyota Taps Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley to Lead Rebelle Effort
This isn’t their first rodeo. Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley won the grueling Rebelle Rally outright six years ago, and they have their sights set on taming the California and Nevada deserts again in 2025—this time with factory support from 4WD giant Toyota. In fact, the Croft/Pawley duo from XOverland will be the first outside…
Overland News of the Week
Rossmönster Debuts All-New Havn Adventure Vehicle In this week’s overland news, the Havn is designed for those who love dirt roads and remote trailheads but don’t need the extreme off-road focus of a Rossmönster Baja Series truck or the compact limitations of a Sprinter van. Built on a Mercedes-Benz 3500 chassis and engineered for four-season,…
Land Rover Launches Global Defender Trophy Competition
Two years ago, I participated in the Land Rover Trek event held in Texas and came very close to winning the event with my team (we finished second, losing to the returning champions). The event comprised a series of physical and mental challenges centered around the capable, tenacious, and stylish new Land Rover Defender 130….
Sierra Trek Adds New Adventure Trips for August 2025
Established in 1967, Sierra Trek has become an annual destination for families across the West, and this year they are pulling out all the stops by adding four new Platinum trips. The event takes place in the Sierra Nevada north of Truckee, California, with a base camp placed on the cornerstones of the 1862 mining…
2026 Nissan Armada Expands Lineup with High-Performance NISMO Model
The 2026 Nissan Armada ushers in a new chapter for the brand’s full-size SUV lineup by introducing the first-ever Armada NISMO. Positioned as the most powerful and performance-focused version of the vehicle to date, the NISMO model brings together decades of Nissan’s motorsport engineering with the long-standing capability that has made the Armada—and especially its…