I am 28 years old, and I’ve already compiled a bucket list so long I fear I’m going to run out of time before I finish it. The U.S. alone is so crammed with gorgeous vistas that I’ve been working on systematically checking off location after location for three years, the entire time since I shed the cubicle and became…

Those of us in the Subaruverse could see this one coming from a long way off. With the runaway sales success of the Outback Wilderness and Forester Wilderness models, it was only a matter of time before Subaru’s smallest adventure-mobile got the Wilderness treatment. The formula remains the same (why change it?)—beefier lifted suspension, gnarlier tires, some aggressive body cladding,…

The Subaru Forester has long been a respected platform, sold worldwide as the ultimate inclement weather wagon, complete with good ground clearance and notable interior storage volume. The Subaru brand harkens back to the Fuji corporation and their first vehicle, the Fuji Rabbit, a motor-scooter constructed from spare WWII aircraft parts. Their first automobile was the Subaru 1500. Cars from…

We first met Carey at Overland Expo in Flagstaff, and we were immediately impressed by her friendly confidence, sense of humor, and broad, ready smile. Carey is no weekend warrior; this mother of two is a regular of the Rebelle Rally and an explorer who travels the US extensively. Carey knows the Western USA like the back of her hand,…

The Forester is a truly dual-purpose vehicle that’s engaging to drive, comfortable, reliable, and economical on-road, but rugged and capable when the tarmac ends. It’s easy to become starry-eyed with go-anywhere campers and heavily modified 4WDs, but in truth, some of the best vehicles for overlanding are compact, low-key, and relatively inexpensive (both to purchase and run). The other evening…

With a mere 44,000 miles on the odometer, this 2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited with a Roofnest tent is a different sort of adventuremobile–one that we rarely see on the Expedition Portal classifieds forum. This tangerine dream comes with Yakima crossbars and a solar panel to help power the Dometic fridge. If you don’t need to bring the entire family or…

I’m a big fan of compact overland vehicles, and this rally-ready Subaru Crosstrek is a fantastic blank canvas to build your dream micro-camper. While living on the road for the past six years, one of the key things I’ve learnt is that the vehicle should always come secondary to experiences. In other words, large, vintage, or exotic rigs are very…

Check out the new Ironman 4X4 ATS 2-inch lift kits with vehicle-specific valving for your Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, or Outback. These kits offer improved suspension and handling characteristics while maintaining safety and driving comfort thanks to twin-tube gas struts. The ATS 2-inch lift improves ground clearance to 10.7 inches on all three vehicles. Performance details: Coilover suspension provides approximately 2…

Warn is on a roll with new hidden winch mount options for popular SUVs, trucks, and even crossovers. While it might seem unconventional to install a 12-volt recovery winch on a Forester, Crosstrek, or Outback, it makes sense. In my travels, I have encountered Subarus nearly everywhere in the backcountry, and they are almost always alone, driven by a mountain…

We take a look at “The Overland Road Warrior”, 4EXPEDITION’s answer to the every day overlander

I’m sure it’s happened to all of us at some point in our backroad travels. You work your way down a rugged road pushing man and machine to the limits. Just when you’re about to pat yourself on the back for a job well done for conquering such a gnarly track, you see another vehicle at the end of the…

Which of the two most recent wee overlanders to enter the market is best?

I put Subaru’s latest trailhead transporter to the test.

The best way to test a Subaru Outback is to get it dirty.

From grocery getter to race whip.

The Expedition Portal Subaru project vehicle takes on one of the most revered overland routes in North America.

Flashback

We have not covered Kia with any regularity on Expedition Portal or in Overland Journal. It’s not a manufacturer that has much of a legacy in the 4WD world, but if you cast your mind back to the turn of the century, you may remember the tiny first-generation Kia Sportage (1993-2002) and its successor, the first-gen Sorento (2002-2009). Both of…

Photography by Etienne Musslin When we decide to leave on a trip—whether it’s 200 kilometers, around the globe, or somewhere in between—vehicle choice is often something we dive into headfirst. Maybe your trusty steed is parked in your driveway, or perhaps you’ve spent countless hours (and dollars) building a one-of-a-kind contraption with all the amenities. Whatever it may be, obsessions…

This week, we’ll be getting our hands on the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro for a first drive. The X-Pro trim is Kia’s version of an off-road and adventure-oriented package for the three-row SUV, and it features 17-inch wheels with BF Goodrich all-terrain rubber, a locking center differential, a revised skid plate, and a roof rack. Also new is the exterior…