Mercedes Lilienthal
@mercedeslilienthal.com
Journalist, PR/marketer, roamer and gearhead.
✍️📸: @nytimes.com, @forbes.com, OVR mag, etc.
Making positive differences with words and cars.
✍️📸: @nytimes.com, @forbes.com, OVR mag, etc.
Making positive differences with words and cars.
The anticipation is REAL: I'm headed to the 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia! I'll be covering three accomplished Land Rover Defender teams + DEFENDER DAKAR D7X-Rs at this year's Dakar Rally, competing in the new ‘Stock’ category for production‑based vehicles. Stay tuned to @crankshaftculture.com!
January 2, 2026 at 11:15 PM
The anticipation is REAL: I'm headed to the 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia! I'll be covering three accomplished Land Rover Defender teams + DEFENDER DAKAR D7X-Rs at this year's Dakar Rally, competing in the new ‘Stock’ category for production‑based vehicles. Stay tuned to @crankshaftculture.com!
As @andylilienthal.bsky.social starts driving from WI to OR solo, I start the second major leg of my trip. I'm awaiting the first of three flights to carry me across the world. Seventeen hrs. flying and many more with layovers, etc. More soon! Stay tuned to @crankshaftculture.com for updates.
January 2, 2026 at 2:52 PM
As @andylilienthal.bsky.social starts driving from WI to OR solo, I start the second major leg of my trip. I'm awaiting the first of three flights to carry me across the world. Seventeen hrs. flying and many more with layovers, etc. More soon! Stay tuned to @crankshaftculture.com for updates.
We, @andylilienthal.bsky.social and @mercedeslilienthal.com, spent time with the Fjällräven Expedition Down Lite Jacket for men and the Women’s Fjällräven Expedition Down Lite Jacket. Did they keep our core comfortable in below zero temps? Grab your hot chocolate and keep on reading. Lots of pics!
His-n-Hers Fjällräven Expedition Down Lite Jackets: Solid Contenders to Combat Cold Conditions - Crankshaft Culture
We tested his-n-hers Fjällräven Expedition Down Lite Jacket Fjällräven Expedition Down Lite Jacket. Will they keep us warm in frigid temps!
crankshaftculture.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:39 PM
We, @andylilienthal.bsky.social and @mercedeslilienthal.com, spent time with the Fjällräven Expedition Down Lite Jacket for men and the Women’s Fjällräven Expedition Down Lite Jacket. Did they keep our core comfortable in below zero temps? Grab your hot chocolate and keep on reading. Lots of pics!
We, @andylilienthal.bsky.social and @mercedeslilienthal.com, wish you Happy New Year! May your 2026 adventures be safe, happy, and healthy.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 AM
We, @andylilienthal.bsky.social and @mercedeslilienthal.com, wish you Happy New Year! May your 2026 adventures be safe, happy, and healthy.
Gear Garage: We, @andylilienthal.bsky.social and @mercedeslilienthal.com, just reviewed his-n-hers Sea to Summit Ascent Down Sleeping Bags.
Check out the Ascent line-up's features, stats, and what we thought of these down bags via our latest blog drop! #seatosummit #sleepingbags #gearreview #down
Check out the Ascent line-up's features, stats, and what we thought of these down bags via our latest blog drop! #seatosummit #sleepingbags #gearreview #down
Serious Sleepers: Testing His-n-Hers Sea to Summit Ascent Down Sleeping Bags - Crankshaft Culture
We test the Sea to Summit Ascent Down Sleeping Bag and the Sea to Summit Women’s Ascent Down Sleeping Bag to see how they rate in cold temps.
crankshaftculture.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Gear Garage: We, @andylilienthal.bsky.social and @mercedeslilienthal.com, just reviewed his-n-hers Sea to Summit Ascent Down Sleeping Bags.
Check out the Ascent line-up's features, stats, and what we thought of these down bags via our latest blog drop! #seatosummit #sleepingbags #gearreview #down
Check out the Ascent line-up's features, stats, and what we thought of these down bags via our latest blog drop! #seatosummit #sleepingbags #gearreview #down
There is NO better way to give than to help four-legged doggies! 2025 #OperationFrodo is underway and several auto journalists partnered with automotive manufacturers to rescue 20 beagles, puppies, and dogs from the Basset & Beagle Rescue of the Heartland in Omaha, NE. Read this inspiring story!
Good Deeds: Operation Frodo Gives 20 Dogs a New Lease on Life Thanks To The Automotive Media - Crankshaft Culture
2025 Operation Frodo saves 20 dogs and travels from Omaha, NE to the West Coast to deliver them to forever homes.
crankshaftculture.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:07 AM
There is NO better way to give than to help four-legged doggies! 2025 #OperationFrodo is underway and several auto journalists partnered with automotive manufacturers to rescue 20 beagles, puppies, and dogs from the Basset & Beagle Rescue of the Heartland in Omaha, NE. Read this inspiring story!
Just like that, we're in WI! We traveled 2,208 miles from OR to the cheese state and tested a 2025 Kia America Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige AWD SUV. We randomly bumped into friends and talented auto journalists kicking off the #OperationFrodo Beagle rescue project. They're taking 20 rescue dogs!
December 16, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Just like that, we're in WI! We traveled 2,208 miles from OR to the cheese state and tested a 2025 Kia America Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige AWD SUV. We randomly bumped into friends and talented auto journalists kicking off the #OperationFrodo Beagle rescue project. They're taking 20 rescue dogs!
Day two of our OR to WI cross-country trek with a 2025 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige AWD is done! This comfortable cruiser took @andylilienthal.bsky.social and me, from Pendleton, OR to Rawlins, WY. Check it out!
December 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Day two of our OR to WI cross-country trek with a 2025 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige AWD is done! This comfortable cruiser took @andylilienthal.bsky.social and me, from Pendleton, OR to Rawlins, WY. Check it out!
Road trip review with a 2025 Kia America Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige AWD! Headed across the US with Kia's three-row SUV. Will it tick all our boxes for a comfortable, powerful, and spacious road tripper? Stay tuned as we head OR to WI (and back)!
@mercedeslilienthal.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
@mercedeslilienthal.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
December 14, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Road trip review with a 2025 Kia America Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige AWD! Headed across the US with Kia's three-row SUV. Will it tick all our boxes for a comfortable, powerful, and spacious road tripper? Stay tuned as we head OR to WI (and back)!
@mercedeslilienthal.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
@mercedeslilienthal.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
Gear Garage: Wanna stay warm? We reviewed the Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket. Mercedes tries the Sienna/Fjord colorway. See how it stacks up against cold weather by checking out our feature via crankshaftculture.com. Link to jacket: cotopaxi.pxf.io/YR5VnK. #cotopaxi #affiliate #gearreview
December 7, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Gear Garage: Wanna stay warm? We reviewed the Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket. Mercedes tries the Sienna/Fjord colorway. See how it stacks up against cold weather by checking out our feature via crankshaftculture.com. Link to jacket: cotopaxi.pxf.io/YR5VnK. #cotopaxi #affiliate #gearreview
Gear Garage: If you need a roomy, stylish, and warm puffy, we reviewed the Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket. First up? Men's in Woods/Fatigue. See how it stacks up against cold weather by checking out our feature via crankshaftculture.com. Link to jacket: cotopaxi.pxf.io/jeERyb #affiliate
December 6, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Gear Garage: If you need a roomy, stylish, and warm puffy, we reviewed the Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket. First up? Men's in Woods/Fatigue. See how it stacks up against cold weather by checking out our feature via crankshaftculture.com. Link to jacket: cotopaxi.pxf.io/jeERyb #affiliate
My 2026 Subaru Outback feature article via OVR Magazine is LIVE! I peel back the many design layers of the all-new 7th gen Outback. I provide first impressions of its drivability/tons of stats. With 30 years in, do you love it or would you leave it? Tell us below! 👇
www.ovrmag.com/vehicle-feat...
www.ovrmag.com/vehicle-feat...
November 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
My 2026 Subaru Outback feature article via OVR Magazine is LIVE! I peel back the many design layers of the all-new 7th gen Outback. I provide first impressions of its drivability/tons of stats. With 30 years in, do you love it or would you leave it? Tell us below! 👇
www.ovrmag.com/vehicle-feat...
www.ovrmag.com/vehicle-feat...
Here are some sneak-peek interior photos I took of the all-new 7th gen 2026 Subaru Outback. Would you rock it? Article after the embargo lifts!
November 18, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Here are some sneak-peek interior photos I took of the all-new 7th gen 2026 Subaru Outback. Would you rock it? Article after the embargo lifts!
I attended the 2026 Subaru Outback first-drive event in Sedona, AZ! The all-new 7th gen Outback has been redesigned from the ground up with customer and enthusiast feedback in the automaker's forefront. Tech and driving impressions embargoed still, article via OVR Magazine soon!
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I attended the 2026 Subaru Outback first-drive event in Sedona, AZ! The all-new 7th gen Outback has been redesigned from the ground up with customer and enthusiast feedback in the automaker's forefront. Tech and driving impressions embargoed still, article via OVR Magazine soon!
Reposted by Mercedes Lilienthal
These were fun to write. Maybe @mercedeslilienthal.com and I should write more of them ...
Back in 2017, we wrote a few articles called Recommended Routes. They showcased fun, achievable adventure travel routes. Should we bring the section back? crankshaftculture.com/2025/11/08/o...
Our Recommended Routes Highlight Great Adventure Travel Trips
In 2017, we wrote four stories called Recommended Routes. These showcased some overland adventures and how you can achieve them too.
crankshaftculture.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM
These were fun to write. Maybe @mercedeslilienthal.com and I should write more of them ...
More Subaru updates! We're testing Thule's latest roof box. The Motion 3 (large size) carrier sits atop the company's WingBar crossbars and fits our 2022 Crosstrek (MT) perfectly. Multiple design updates. Impressions and our review later.
@crankshaftculture.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
@crankshaftculture.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
More Subaru updates! We're testing Thule's latest roof box. The Motion 3 (large size) carrier sits atop the company's WingBar crossbars and fits our 2022 Crosstrek (MT) perfectly. Multiple design updates. Impressions and our review later.
@crankshaftculture.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
@crankshaftculture.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
We've been reviewing the 2025 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid AWD. Frugal, compact, and practical, we employed it for a dump run, bringing nealy 300 lbs. of old wood and spent antifreeze to the local dump/hazards site.
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
@crankshaftculture.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
@crankshaftculture.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
We've been reviewing the 2025 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid AWD. Frugal, compact, and practical, we employed it for a dump run, bringing nealy 300 lbs. of old wood and spent antifreeze to the local dump/hazards site.
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
@crankshaftculture.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social
@crankshaftculture.com
Reposted by Mercedes Lilienthal
In the driveway this week? The all-electric 2026 Subaru Solterra Touring XT. No crankshaft, but this 338 hp EV scoots. MSRP is $45,555 before destination. Article on our impressions soon! With @andylilienthal.bsky.social and @mercedeslilienthal.com.
November 4, 2025 at 2:51 AM
In the driveway this week? The all-electric 2026 Subaru Solterra Touring XT. No crankshaft, but this 338 hp EV scoots. MSRP is $45,555 before destination. Article on our impressions soon! With @andylilienthal.bsky.social and @mercedeslilienthal.com.
We got new all-terrain tires for our 2022 Subaru Crosstrek (MT): BFGoodrich KO3s! We've never had an issue with any BFG sets we've run. So, when it came time for new rubber for our Subie, we opted for the new 215/75R15 KO3s.
November 2, 2025 at 9:53 PM
We got new all-terrain tires for our 2022 Subaru Crosstrek (MT): BFGoodrich KO3s! We've never had an issue with any BFG sets we've run. So, when it came time for new rubber for our Subie, we opted for the new 215/75R15 KO3s.
If you missed our live radio show with @opb.org, @andylilienthal.bsky.social and I got you covered! We were on Think Out Loud with Dave Miller. This show is OPB’s daily conversation covering news, politics, culture, and arts. Our topic? Our 2025 Alcan 5000 trip and TSD road rallies.
October 24, 2025 at 8:41 PM
If you missed our live radio show with @opb.org, @andylilienthal.bsky.social and I got you covered! We were on Think Out Loud with Dave Miller. This show is OPB’s daily conversation covering news, politics, culture, and arts. Our topic? Our 2025 Alcan 5000 trip and TSD road rallies.
Reposted by Mercedes Lilienthal
That time @mercedeslilienthal.com and I were in Iceland and ran across a huge Icelandic Jeep on balloon tires. (We were in a Jimny.) The Jeepers barely spoke English. But once we started in about 4WDs, they realized we were all part of the same cult ... er ... club.
Car Culture Can Cross Boundaries (Even In Iceland)
Car culture is something that transcends borders, languages, nationalities, and even vehicle types—even in Iceland.
crankshaftculture.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:02 AM
That time @mercedeslilienthal.com and I were in Iceland and ran across a huge Icelandic Jeep on balloon tires. (We were in a Jimny.) The Jeepers barely spoke English. But once we started in about 4WDs, they realized we were all part of the same cult ... er ... club.
Reposted by Mercedes Lilienthal
About to go on Oregon Public Broadcasting's "Think Out Loud" to talk about the Alcan 5000 with @mercedeslilienthal.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:55 PM
About to go on Oregon Public Broadcasting's "Think Out Loud" to talk about the Alcan 5000 with @mercedeslilienthal.com
@andylilienthal.bsky.social and I will
be live on the OPB Think Out Loud
show with host Dave Miller tomorrow!
Tune in at 12:00pm Pacific via
audioplayer.opb.org (or 91.5 FM on your radio) as we talk all things Alcan 5000 Rally and beyond.
Driver: Andy Lilienthal | Navigator:
Mercedes Lilienthal
be live on the OPB Think Out Loud
show with host Dave Miller tomorrow!
Tune in at 12:00pm Pacific via
audioplayer.opb.org (or 91.5 FM on your radio) as we talk all things Alcan 5000 Rally and beyond.
Driver: Andy Lilienthal | Navigator:
Mercedes Lilienthal
October 23, 2025 at 1:14 AM
@andylilienthal.bsky.social and I will
be live on the OPB Think Out Loud
show with host Dave Miller tomorrow!
Tune in at 12:00pm Pacific via
audioplayer.opb.org (or 91.5 FM on your radio) as we talk all things Alcan 5000 Rally and beyond.
Driver: Andy Lilienthal | Navigator:
Mercedes Lilienthal
be live on the OPB Think Out Loud
show with host Dave Miller tomorrow!
Tune in at 12:00pm Pacific via
audioplayer.opb.org (or 91.5 FM on your radio) as we talk all things Alcan 5000 Rally and beyond.
Driver: Andy Lilienthal | Navigator:
Mercedes Lilienthal
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: last half of Day 29 of the TransAmerica Trail, we finish our 29-day, 15-state run! We had challenges. Would we, driver @andylilienthal.bsky.social and me navigator @mercedeslilienthal.com finish? Would the Subaru complete our 7,163-mile-long trek (3,184 dirt, gravel, and rocks)?
October 22, 2025 at 12:39 AM
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: last half of Day 29 of the TransAmerica Trail, we finish our 29-day, 15-state run! We had challenges. Would we, driver @andylilienthal.bsky.social and me navigator @mercedeslilienthal.com finish? Would the Subaru complete our 7,163-mile-long trek (3,184 dirt, gravel, and rocks)?
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: first half of Day 29 of the TransAmerica Trail, Oregon’s Umpqua National Forest and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. It's our 21st wedding anniversary! Total mileage: 7,163 (3,184.3 off-road). Total time: 29 days traveled/317 hrs., 5 min. driven. Total route deviations: 39.
October 20, 2025 at 9:49 PM
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: first half of Day 29 of the TransAmerica Trail, Oregon’s Umpqua National Forest and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. It's our 21st wedding anniversary! Total mileage: 7,163 (3,184.3 off-road). Total time: 29 days traveled/317 hrs., 5 min. driven. Total route deviations: 39.