This Storyteller GXV "Epic" Overlander Lives Up To Its Name
Seems like as the world continues to creep closer to global disaster each month, another new giant overlander pops up that's ready to take you away from it. The 2025 Storyteller Overland GXV Epic stands out by doing at least something a little different: it uses an American-made Kenworth K370 with its Cummins 6.7-liter as a base, not some odd Euro-sourced job. That has encouraged us to take a much closer look at the spec sheet of this oversized overlander.
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Let's start with that Kenworth chassis, as it offers some impressive numbers and features off the bat. The Cummins 6.7-liter turbodiesel I-6 produces 660 lb-ft of torque, which is then multiplied by a two-speed transfer case with a 50:1 crawl ratio. It's also fed by a 200-gallon fuel tank to keep fuel stops at a minimum, an especially good idea when you're far away from civilization—or civilization has crumbled.
Keeping that power tied into the 22.5-inch forged aluminum wheels are a pair of locking front and rear differentials. Those wheels come wrapped in Bridgestone L315 multi-purpose tires in 425/65R22.5 with an overall diameter of 44 inches. If you need to air up those tires or anything else, an on-board air compressor feeds both a passenger and driver side air ports. You're also treated to a full suite of off-road and exterior lighting while a 20,000-pound ComeUp winch is nestled inside the front bumper. When you do reach camp, you can relax outside using the 16-foot powered awning with integrated LED lighting, but not before hopping out using the aluminum electric entry step.
Inside the Storyteller GXV Epic's cabin, the driver and front passenger sit on Scheel-mann air ride seats while a Kenworth sound system supplies music, entertainment, and app access via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto phone integration software.
The house box is made of GXV composite panels 2.36 inches (60 mm) thick for insulation from the cold and heat. It also features ArmorThane coating sprayed on while Armor Vision dual pane glass windows offer views outside, blackout shades when you need privacy, and bug screens when you want the wind in but insects out.
Getting inside requires you to open the entry door that features a three-point stainless steel lock system, but you can also come in by crawling through the forward cabin. An 800-pound-capacity sliding tray allows you to pass stuff outside and inside with ease. With everything, the GXV Epic is 12 feet, 5 inches tall; 30 feet, 2 inches long; and 8 feet wide—not tiny by any stretch of the imagination.
When you're ready to relax away from the outdoors, the inside of the house box is equipped like a small apartment. The galley features a 1,600-watt dual burner induction cooktop and a large stainless steel kitchen sink. That sink is fed by a 120-gallon freshwater tank connected to a Guzzle H2O water purification system. That tank also feeds the rather sizable wet bath with a skylight providing natural light while all the wastewater is sent to a 40-gallon grey water tank. Other 'business' is done via a flushable cassette toilet.
Providing energy through the house box of the GXV Epic is an 18-kWh 24-volt Mastervolt Power System. This feeds into a 4,500-watt heavy-duty inverter to take that DC power and transform it into AC. That battery can be recharged by an Onan QD Quiet diesel generator with auto start and capable of providing up to 6,000 watts of electricity. If you want to be a bit stealthier or save on diesel fuel, a solar panel rated to up to 1,980 watts can provide power. The alternator on the Cummins engine can also charge the house battery when needed.
When you're ready for bed after that bath, a premium queen-sized bed awaits, while the front four-person dinette seating converts to a full-sized bed for your guests. Keeping everyone comfortable is a 15,000-BTU Trauma Aventa air conditioning unit or an Aqua Hot 450D 650,000-BTU heat system with four air handlers circulating air through the interior. Happen to get hungry during the night? You can grab a snack from the Vitrifrigo two-door refrigerator with freezer and cook it in the included microwave, convection oven, or even an air fryer. When you get up, you can also do your laundry with the built-in washer/dryer combo unit.
The 2025 Storyteller Overland GXV Epic sounds like a true apartment on wheels and you can buy it right now. There's only one catch: you're going to practically need a home loan to afford its $799,784 starting price. Then again, at least you'll have a rolling home when the world goes to crap while everyone else is struggling to find a place to sleep.
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But Back to That Infiniti… But as far as luxury goes, the Armada drives well and rides merely decently (it can't match a Jeep Wagoneer's cushiness, and the 22-inch wheels ride harshly over bad pavement), while the cabin is classier than before if not quite Infiniti-level, and loaded with every toy you can get on the QX80. So, we ask again, as we did when the new Armada first launched: Why consider the Infiniti at all? A would-be Infiniti customer might reconsider even looking at the similarly priced QX80 Pure AWD. At $86,840, the Armada you see here costs $705 less and includes similar features like ProPilot Assist 2.1, 22-inch wheels, and air ride off the bat. The only plus for the QX80 Pure AWD is two more speakers and flush-fit exterior door handles—and that Infiniti badge. You'd have to be an Infiniti diehard or keen on the fancier badge to not choose the Armada Platinum Reserve here. And consider that it takes that same Infiniti customer an extra $11,800 to upgrade to the QX80's Luxe trim that matches this Armada Platinum Reserve feature for feature. The Infiniti seems to have a ride quality and overall interior styling advantage over this specific Nissan, which doesn't seem to manage its 22-inch wheels as neatly as the QX80 and has less shiny stuff inside. While we're not Nissan product planners and therefore can't speak to the apparent overlap between the newest Armada and QX80 SUVs, it's certainly good news for savvy shoppers eyeing a feature-laden full-size three-row SUV. Looking for luxury on a budget? The 2025 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve brings Infiniti levels of fancy for less.
