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.
My first day in Saudi Arabia was STUNNING. An open day before heading off to cover the 2026 Dakar Rally turned into an amazing adventure filled with wonder and excitement. Hegra. Maraya. Harrat Viewpont. What happens afterwards? DAKAR RALLY and Defender! 🏁
January 25, 2026 at 9:43 PM
My first day in Saudi Arabia was STUNNING. An open day before heading off to cover the 2026 Dakar Rally turned into an amazing adventure filled with wonder and excitement. Hegra. Maraya. Harrat Viewpont. What happens afterwards? DAKAR RALLY and Defender! 🏁
PUBLISHED: My thoughts on the new 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness. Will this improved and capable AWD attract buyers, or will its polarizing design keep the masses away? Click below to check out my in-depth first-drive review via OVR. 📸: @mercedeslilienthal.com
tinyurl.com/tfmsa3yv
tinyurl.com/tfmsa3yv
January 24, 2026 at 6:20 PM
PUBLISHED: My thoughts on the new 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness. Will this improved and capable AWD attract buyers, or will its polarizing design keep the masses away? Click below to check out my in-depth first-drive review via OVR. 📸: @mercedeslilienthal.com
tinyurl.com/tfmsa3yv
tinyurl.com/tfmsa3yv
It took 5 airlines, 6 flights, multiple 5+ hr. layovers, 3-hour delay in Dubai, and 52 total hrs. travel (not incl. an overnight in Dubai) to get to AlUla, Saudi Arabia from Minneapolis, then home to Portland, Oregon to see the world’s greatest rally raid: Dakar Rally. Do it again tomorrow! 🏁
January 24, 2026 at 4:19 PM
It took 5 airlines, 6 flights, multiple 5+ hr. layovers, 3-hour delay in Dubai, and 52 total hrs. travel (not incl. an overnight in Dubai) to get to AlUla, Saudi Arabia from Minneapolis, then home to Portland, Oregon to see the world’s greatest rally raid: Dakar Rally. Do it again tomorrow! 🏁
My first full day in Saudi Arabia was filled with unexpected adventures and fast new friends. We toured Hegra, an ancient Nabataean city and Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mayara, the world's largest mirrored building amidst Saudi Arabia's desert landscape. Harrat Viewpoint, too.
January 18, 2026 at 5:15 PM
My first full day in Saudi Arabia was filled with unexpected adventures and fast new friends. We toured Hegra, an ancient Nabataean city and Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mayara, the world's largest mirrored building amidst Saudi Arabia's desert landscape. Harrat Viewpoint, too.
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!
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.
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!
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
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.
@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.
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: Day 28 of the TransAmerica Trail, continuing in Oregon where wildfire smoke clears but road closures and newly burnt areas prevail.
Driver: @andylilienthal.bsky.social
Navigator: @mercedeslilienthal.com
Vehicle: modified 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
Driver: @andylilienthal.bsky.social
Navigator: @mercedeslilienthal.com
Vehicle: modified 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
October 19, 2025 at 6:53 PM
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: Day 28 of the TransAmerica Trail, continuing in Oregon where wildfire smoke clears but road closures and newly burnt areas prevail.
Driver: @andylilienthal.bsky.social
Navigator: @mercedeslilienthal.com
Vehicle: modified 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
Driver: @andylilienthal.bsky.social
Navigator: @mercedeslilienthal.com
Vehicle: modified 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: Day 27 of the TransAmerica Trail, thick in wildfire smoke—an even more challenging day of wildfires in Oregon.
October 15, 2025 at 11:38 PM
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: Day 27 of the TransAmerica Trail, thick in wildfire smoke—an even more challenging day of wildfires in Oregon.
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: Days 25-26 of the TransAmerica Trail, westward through Idaho and into Oregon’s wildfires.
October 15, 2025 at 4:05 AM
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: Days 25-26 of the TransAmerica Trail, westward through Idaho and into Oregon’s wildfires.
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: Days 23-24 of the TransAmerica Trail, working westward as we finish Utah and travel into Idaho!
October 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
POST-TAT RECAP REEL: Days 23-24 of the TransAmerica Trail, working westward as we finish Utah and travel into Idaho!