Our 1990 Toyota Pickup, affectionately named “Little Red,” has been our go-to adventuremobile since 2013. It has seen a couple of continents and a few revisions along the way, but it remains an antiquated, underpowered, 36-year-old minitruck. It does a wonderful job of scoot-ing through moderately sized whoops, narrow trails, and soft sand while the…
Category Archives: Four Wheel Drive
Overland News of the Week, May 8th, 2026
The New Thule Widesky Rooftop Tent Is a Looker The Thule Widesky is an attractive two-person hardshell rooftop tent designed to balance quick setup with improved comfort in camp. Its gas-strut-assisted design allows the tent to deploy in seconds, while a durable aluminum shell and recycled fabric construction provide weather resistance and longevity. Inside, a…
Ford’s $30k EV Pickup :: Closer to Reality?
After a recent tour of Chinese EV production facilities, Ford CEO Jim Farley has not been shy about sharing his thoughts on their impact on the global automotive industry. Farley bluntly said Ford can not compete due to the Chinese vehicles’ superior cost advantage, technology, and government subsidies. Farley went on to warn that letting…
AEV Confirms Summer Production for Ford FXL Upfit Package
American Expedition Vehicles has confirmed that production of its Ford FXL upfit package will begin in summer 2026, marking a notable expansion of the company’s long-standing collaboration with Ford Motor Company. The announcement signals AEV’s continued focus on delivering turnkey overland-ready vehicles that combine factory-backed engineering with aftermarket capability, a formula that has previously proven…
The Extended Range EV Influx Is Coming
Extended range electric vehicles, commonly referred to as EREVs, are quickly emerging as one of the most compelling solutions for buyers who split their time between daily driving and long distance exploration. For the overland community, where remote travel and unpredictable infrastructure are part of the experience, the concept is especially relevant. What is an…
iCaur V27 Hybrid SUV: Chery’s Range-Extended Off-Roader Targets Global Markets
China is pushing assertively into a global automotive industry long dominated by manufacturers from the West and Japan. That progress has been rapid, but it has also drawn scrutiny, particularly around design similarities and, at times, questions of intellectual property. The iCaur, for example, carries visual cues reminiscent of a Toyota Land Cruiser. Whether this…
John Balsdon on World Records and Crossing Africa
Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady interviews John Balsdon of Always Look Twice, a recent world record holder, about his 28-day drive from Nordkapp, Norway, to Cape Agulhas, South Africa. Balsdon, who largely hugged West Africa’s coast in two INEOS Grenadiers (one towing a Bruder trailer), shares how early travels and his mother, a professional…
Nissan Revives Terrano Nameplate with Electrified Off-Road Concept at Auto China 2026
Nissan has used the 2026 Auto China show in Beijing to reintroduce one of its historic SUV nameplates, unveiling the new Terrano PHEV Concept as part of a broader push into electrified vehicles. The reappearance of the Terrano badge signals a shift in strategy for the Japanese automaker, blending heritage off-road design with modern hybrid…
Fly and Drive South Africa
For the last few years, my wife, Luisa, and I have been contemplating our future as overland travelers. In the past, we have almost exclusively shipped our vehicle to different continents. However, we have realized that shorter, more intense journeys—where we forego the expense and bureaucracy of shipping and instead use the money saved to…
Greenlander Sherpa: Natural Fiber Construction Meets Modern Expedition Travel
Almost a decade ago, I left my Defender parked up and headed out for a morning walk across the plateau above the sandstone spires of Cappadocia, Turkey. The night before, we had sat beside a small campfire, sipping wine and watching a white camper on the far side of the valley search for a place…
Defender Trophy 2026: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Adventure as brand strategy. Is Land Rover merely selling a vehicle, or is it rebuilding the mythology of the Defender for a new generation? At its core, the Defender Trophy is a global, multi-stage adventure competition designed to reinforce the Defender’s identity—not just as a machine, but as a cultural icon rooted in decades of…
New Xterra :: Nissan Says “Badass Is Back”
The return of the Nissan Xterra has quickly shifted from rumor to reality, and if recent executive comments are any indication, this is more than a simple reboot. Nissan are making it extremely clear this is a deliberate move back into the heart of the off road SUV segment, aimed squarely at enthusiasts who value…
Jaguar Land Rover Recalls over 170,000 US Vehicles Following Drive Power Loss Risk
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a significant recall affecting more than 170,000 vehicles in the United States, following concerns over a defect that could lead to a sudden loss of drive power. The recall, disclosed on April 23, 2026, was reported by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and represents one of…
Overland News of the Week, April 24th, 2026
ARB Launches Modular Bed Rack for Ford F-150 Trucks While the ARB bed rack has been available for 3rd-Gen Tundra and Tacoma owners for some time now, the brand has introduced a new model for 2021 to 2024 Ford F-150 truck owners. The bed-mounted system offers storage options on top, underneath, outside, and inside the…
GMC Rumored to Bring Back the Jimmy
There can be no denying the newest generation of the Ford Bronco has been a huge success, and has taken the spotlight away from the Jeep Wrangler, a truck that once stood virtually unchallenged as the serious off-road SUV of choice. This success has not gone un-noticed, with more and more manufacturers looking to add…
LifeStraw Escape Water Purifier :: Field Tested
The LifeStraw Escape is a hard-wearing, 20-liter water-purification solution designed to pressurize via a built-in hand pump—no electricity required. This system stores raw water in a thick-walled, barrel-shaped tank (18 x 13.75 inches) with a spigot, providing a self-contained water supply setup for contexts where water safety is paramount. At its core is a three-stage…
VW Considers Pickup for US Market
The idea of a Volkswagen pickup for North America has long lived in the realm of concepts and speculation, and finally it is now closer to reality than ever. Speaking at the 2026 New York Auto Show, Volkswagen Group of America CEO Kjell Gruner made it clear that the brand is actively evaluating the opportunity….
Kia Will Sell a Body-On-Frame Truck in the US by 2030
Kia has officially thrown its hat into one of North America’s most fiercely contested segments, confirming that it will launch a body-on-frame hybrid pickup truck in the United States before the end of the decade. To be perfectly clear, this announcement wasn’t a leak, a rumor, or a supplier slip; this information comes directly from…
Dometic Launches Free Gear-Equipped Getaways to Reconnect Urban Dwellers with the Outdoors
Global outdoor technology company Dometic has launched a new experiential initiative to help urban residents reconnect with nature. The program, launching in Los Angeles, offers a series of 17 fully equipped, 36-hour outdoor getaways designed to remove the barriers that often prevent people from spending time outdoors. The concept is straightforward. Participants enter a draw…
Beyond the Rif: What to Eat, Do, and Buy in Morocco
Photography by Richard Giordano Meandering over a pathway embedded with mussel shells, I follow Mohamed along the coastal cliffs of the Atlantic. As we pass hand-carved caves hidden behind blue doors, fishermen stand atop the rocks, patiently waiting for the day’s catch. My guide, Mohamed Akhmisse, runs a Moroccan homestay experience from a fishing village…