After reviving the Scout name as a dedicated American off-road brand, Volkswagen is now openly discussing the possibility of adding a traditional body-on-frame SUV to its own Volkswagen lineup in the US. If approved, the vehicle would take direct aim at Toyota Land Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler, and Ford Bronco, and could finally give Volkswagen a…
Category Archives: News
The Bug Wall :: Field Tested
The Bug Wall makes UV-resistant rear and side-door van screens for the Promaster, Mercedes Sprinter, and Ford Transit platforms (among others). I had considered screens like these made-in-the-USA liners for my Ram ProMaster van, but figured them unnecessary, what with the five windows with their own screens I’d installed and the vent fan pulling hot…
Texas-based REO Trucks Plans $21,500 Gas Pickup
For the last few decades, American pickup trucks have followed a predictable trajectory. Each new generation became larger, heavier, more powerful, and more expensive. What was once a compact work truck evolved into a full-size luxury vehicle that can easily cost more than $70,000. Now a new start-up believes there is room for something radically…
Airstream Expands World Traveler Lineup with More Affordable 17RB
Airstream has expanded its World Traveler lineup with the introduction of the new 17RB, a compact single-axle travel trailer designed to offer a more accessible entry point into the iconic American brand. With a starting price of $64,400, the 17RB becomes Airstream’s least expensive aluminum travel trailer while targeting solo travelers, couples, and first-time RV…
Norton Atlas Brings a Historic British Name to the Middleweight Adventure Market
I was barely six years old when my old man took me to the outbuilding of our home in Durban, South Africa, to reveal a rather special Christmas Day present. Sitting there among the stored boxes, garden equipment, and other nonessential but periodically useful items was a duck-billed Yamaha PW50. It was the happiest day…
French Tourists Fined for Off-road Driving in Iceland
Image credits: Klemenz Geir Klemenzson, Iceland Review A recent incident in Iceland has sparked outrage among locals and renewed calls for visitors to respect the country’s strict off-road driving laws. Two French tourists have paid heavy fines for driving off established tracks in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in South Iceland, leaving visible damage across a…
2027 Toyota Tundra Gains Updated Styling, New Technology, and More Accessible Trailhunter Package
Toyota remains the king of long-distance, self-supported vehicle travel in the US and is updating the Tundra for the 2027 model year with revised exterior styling, a new generation of infotainment technology, and an expanded collection of driver-assistance features. The full-size pickup will also gain a Trailhunter package that brings factory-installed overlanding equipment to the…
Overland News of the Week, July 17, 2026
The Latest Iteration of the Shoei Hornet ADV Helmet Has Arrived “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies to Shoei’s established Hornet ASV platform, which has remained essentially unchanged since its inception in over a decade. Shoei’s new Hornet ADV 06 helmet, however, takes tried, tested, true and updates the helmet to meet the…
Scout Motors Revives an American Classic with the Traveler Spirit of ’26 Concept
The Scout was venturing deep into forests, climbing over mountain passes, and adventuring to the far corners of the United States long before overlanding became mainstream. They were simple but dependable and used to ferry fishing boats, to reach remote trails, and to camp. And as outdoor recreation surged in the 1970s, the Scout became…
New BDR-X Circles Hells Canyon
Never a group to let the dust settle on adventure riding, Backcountry Discovery Routes will introduce their new Hells Canyon BDR-X route on August 7. Look for it live from Idaho on YouTube at 7 pm Mountain time. The launch coincides with the Yamaha Ténéré Trek Owner’s Rally, staged at the Tamarack Resort in Donnelly,…
2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT: Mega Speed, Mega Compromises
Overlanders are a specific breed. We look for very specific non-negotiable features in a truck, and go-fast has never been at the top of the list. We want power, sure, but we also want fuel economy, comfort, a high payload rating, and reliability. The 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT—yes, they brought back the Street and…
Chuckles Garage’s 1953 Ford “Nuke Van” Transforms a Cold War Relic into a Modern Overland Camper
Many years ago, an octogenarian English friend of mine—who remains fitter than many people half his age, suggested buying an armored Land Rover for overland travel. At the time, I dismissed the idea. Armored vehicles are heavy, expensive to maintain, and hardly ideal for crossing continents where fuel economy and payload matter. However, after several…
Editor’s Choice: The Best Rigs of Overland Expo PNW 2026
Overland Expo never disappoints when it comes to showcasing an incredible variety of expedition vehicles. From compact motorcycles and classic 4WDs to purpose-built campers and six-figure expedition trucks, there is something to inspire every kind of traveler. As international overlanders, however, we are naturally drawn to practical, thoughtfully designed vehicles that we could genuinely imagine…
Jeep Recon EV Finally on Sale
After years of teasers, delays, shifting launch dates, and questions about whether it would ever reach production, the Jeep Recon has finally gone on sale in the United States. Jeep’s first purpose built electric off-road SUV is now available to order, marking a major milestone not only for the brand but also for the future…
Overland News of the Week, July 3, 2026
Tune Outdoors Introduces Custom Interior Systems Tune Outdoor has announced Tune Interior Systems, a new lineup of lightweight, modular, and customizable interior configurations. Constructed with advanced materials that balance strength, weight, and longevity. The systems are designed specifically for the Tune M1/M1L platforms and seamlessly integrate with the company’s existing design features. This creates a…
The Northwest Overland Rally: Where the Overland Tribe Gathers
The Northwest Overland Rally (NWOR) is special. I knew that to be true the first time I attended back in 2015. Before then, and for the following 10 years, the event was run by Ray Hyland and his family—his wife, Marianne, and sons, Seamus, Declan, and Liam—who brought decades of intercontinental overland travel experience to…
EV Automaker Polestar Banned from US Market
EV manufacturer Polestar has been banned from future sales in the United States. Beginning with the 2027 model year, the Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer will no longer be allowed to sell new vehicles in the American market after the United Sates Department of Commerce denied the company authorization under the Connected Vehicle Rule. The decision…
Jaguar Land Rover Considers U.S.-Built Defender Based on Stellantis Platform
The global automotive industry is facing mounting pressure from several directions simultaneously. Manufacturers must contend with intense competition from both established brands and a growing number of Chinese automakers, many of which are entering international markets with competitively priced vehicles and rapidly advancing technology. At the same time, tariffs and shifting trade policies have increased…
Honda Element Returning to Battle Bronco Sport
The unassuming Honda Element has always occupied a unique place in the overland world. When it first arrived for the 2003 model year, its boxy styling, washable interior, clamshell side doors, and practical layout divided opinions. Some buyers loved its unconventional appearance while others struggled to embrace it. Over time, however, the Element developed a…
Ford Racing to Provide Financial Support to Privateer Rebelle Rally Teams
Photo by Regine Trias Ford Racing is expanding its support for this year’s privateer Rebelle Rally teams through the newly branded Ford Raptor Route program. Open to teams competing in Ford vehicles in the 4×4 Class (with X-Cross® entries considered on a case-by-case basis), Ford Raptor Route provides financial assistance and exclusive team gear to…