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…
Category Archives: New
KTM 2026 690 Enduro R Announced
KTM’s 690 Enduro R has long been a favorite of adventure riders who want to go light without sacrificing the power to blaze the highway or conquer the gnarliest BDR section. The 690 has seen numerous changes since its 2008 debut, and received more for 2026. But the concept remains the same: a big single-cylinder…
Overland News of the Week, August 15th, 2025
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…
Kawasaki’s New KLX Flavors :: Sherpa S and DF
In a world awash in complex, hulking, and too-powerful ADV bikes, there is something enduringly appealing about a low-displacement dual-sport. Its simplicity, light weight, and nimble capability in a wide range of conditions evoke the authentic spirit of motorcycling. Kawaski is one brand that is stubbornly hanging on to this original ethos, both in its…
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…
2026 Scrambler 400 XC Coming from Triumph
Triumph adds to their 400cc lineup with the 2026 Scrambler 400 XC, a dirt-worthy version of their current 400 X model. The new machine’s price is $6,695, an $800 increase over the X. Chief Commercial Officer of Triumph Motorcycles Paul Stroud said this about the new model’s world debut: “The Triumph Scrambler 400 XC has…
Women’s-Only Off-Road Class Is a Go for XOverland’s Big Thing Event
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, as the featured “Big Thing” overland weekend concludes, the XOverland Ranch is offering a women-only technical training course—a dedicated space designed to build driving confidence, refine recovery techniques, and foster genuine connection among women who share a passion for adventure. Hosted at the picturesque XOverland Ranch near Three Forks, Montana,…
Toyota Has NOT Yet Confirmed a Compact Pick Up for the US
Even though Toyota Motor North America is edging closer to a long-rumored return to the compact pickup segment, it has not yet crossed the line that would make the program officially real. Over the past two weeks, two of the company’s most senior regional executives have spoken with unusual candor about a small, unibody pickup…
Smart Air Vest from Dainese :: Field Tested
The Dainese Smart Air vest is their latest innovation in air bag safety systems suitable for multi-surface motorcycle riding. Worn over or under a jacket, the lightweight vest is designed to protect back and chest in the event of a crash. D-air to the Rescue The Smart Air employs the company’s race-proven D-air technology in…
Slate Auto Drops a $20,000 DIY Bombshell
Let’s get this out of the way up front: Slate Auto’s brand new electric pickup is not available with any kind of AWD or 4WD system. Yet. However, the under-$20,000 projected asking price (after federal EV tax credits) for a base model “Blank Slate” and its unmatched modularity and options for owner customization are extremely…
Slate, Canoo, Telo :: New EV 4x4s or Vaporware?
A mega billionaire, a recently bankrupt manufacturer, and a plucky startup have all made waves recently with news about interesting EV 4x4s. Perhaps the most intriguing is the alleged sub-$25,000 pickup from the mysterious Slate Auto, which TechCrunch reported earlier this week is backed by the financial might of Jeff Bezos. The once-promising EV concern…
First Drive :: 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport
Most of us in the overlanding scene want a vehicle that can get us the absolute furthest away from civilization. We want lockers, beefy tires, a 40-degree approach angle, and if it doesn’t run on diesel, then forget it. For the rest of the population, there are the soft roaders. These all-wheel-drive SUVs won’t tackle Devil’s…
Field Tested :: Leatt ADV Gear and Carbon Helmet
Leatt, known for their innovative motorcycle protection equipment and clothing, is taking on the adventure touring market. Their 7.5 ADV line for 2025 comprises DriTour gear for wet weather, FlowTour for warm rides, and MultiTour for all-season exploring. We selected MultiTour gear for its flexibility, pairing it with warm-season 7.5 X-Flow gloves. Leatt’s 9.5 Carbon…
Lexus LX700 Overtrail :: A Pinnacle Overlander
Few vehicles capture the spirit of overlanding like a Land Cruiser: rugged, capable, worldly, and trusted. For North America, Land Cruisers have been sold since 1958 and were available as the pinnacle overlander of choice for 62 years until the last Heritage Edition 200 Series left dealer lots in 2020. This left a significant void…
Howl R1 Campfire Launches as the Most Portable Fire Pit Yet
In an era of increasing burn bans and rampant wildfires, the traditional wood campfire is quickly becoming a thing of the past for much of the year. Enter the Howl R1 Campfire, a bold new contender in the portable fire pit market. Promising extreme packability paired with a big-flame experience that’s often absent in compact…
Pan America 1250 ST :: One for the Road
The Pan America 1250 ST is Harley’s answer to riders who love the original Pan America’s Revolution Max 1250 engine but aren’t so interested in off-pavement travel. In the Motor Company’s lingo, these would be “Adventure Sport” riders. Base price is $19,999. Vroom! The V-Twin is certainly capable of blurring the scenery with a…
Field Tested :: Ultimate9 evcX Throttle Controller
The contemporary 4×4 is a high-tech wonder, packed with a staggering amount of computing power that controls nearly everything in the vehicle: from operating cabin mood lighting and hands-free phone calls to crucial driving functions like fuel delivery and anti-lock braking. Even the humble gas pedal operates via ones and zeros, relaying driver input through…
SW-Motech Rolls Out Luggage and Protection for the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has quickly become a favorite among adventure motorcyclists, offering a blend of rugged capability, modern features, and an attractively low price of entry. RE’s biggest improvements to the bike include its new liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that doubles the horsepower of the old Himalayan and the fresh design of the twin-spar…
2025 KTM 390 Enduro R Debuts
KTM’s 390 Enduro R is a new machine intended more for play than adventure, but that won’t keep some adventurers from slapping on saddlebags and going camping with it. Others may want to tote the 350-pound bike on their overlanding rig to explore the territory around their bivouac. In any case, the 390 Enduro R…