The new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ and the much-anticipated IMV 0—also known as the HiLux Champ—may differ in style, purpose, and price, yet both vehicles spring from the same foundation and guiding philosophy. Each draws upon Toyota’s Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle (IMV) architecture, a global body-on-frame platform designed for strength, adaptability, and accessibility. Together they…
Bliss Mobil Unveils 13-Foot High Bed Type 4 Model with Full Wet Bath and Flexible Sleeping Layout
Bliss Mobil’s reputation spans the globe—much like their expedition campers, which can be found in some of the most remote corners of the planet. What many may not realize, however, is that it’s possible to commission a Bliss Mobil unit built to your exact specifications in Europe and have it mounted to a vehicle here…
Auriga Explorer Unveils Compact Off-Road Expedition Vehicle with Expandable Living Module
Auriga Explorer, a German startup founded in 2023, has announced the upcoming launch and production phase of an expedition vehicle that blends compact proportions with genuine off-road capability and the comfort of a self-contained living space. The design stands out in an increasingly crowded segment, relying on the expansion of its pop-top, drop sides, and…
Nissan Plans 2028 Xterra Revival as Hybrid SUV
According to various news reports, but with no official press release from Nissan, Nissan Motor Corporation is preparing to revive its Xterra nameplate in 2028, reintroducing the rugged off-road SUV as a hybrid model. Company leaders have said the decision reflects a reassessment of its US product strategy, balancing electrification efforts with the economics of…
AEV and GM Defense Present Enhanced Bison Platform at AUSA 2025
Some lucky soldiers might have childhood dreams come true thanks to the alliance between American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) and GM Defense, unveiled at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting. The two automotive powerhouses showcased an upgraded Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 Bison that is about as American as right-on-red or…
2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer: A Refined Family Hauler with Two Impressive Powertrain Options
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….