Traveling in Style
On the road in the impressive 2015 Airstream Interstate
Article Rich Luhr
Images Rich Luhr & Airstream
 
 
The first thing you notice when you see the Airstream® Interstate EXT touring coach is the sheer bulk of the thing. It stands a proud 10 feet tall and reaches back 25 feet, thanks to the Mercedes Sprinter 3500 EXT chassis upon which it is built. In gleaming silver, as our test vehicle was, with smooth lines and blackout windows, it generates nothing but awed admiration everywhere it goes.



That’s as it should be, for this is the melding of two worldwide icons – Airstream and Mercedes-Benz – into a single vehicle with impressive capabilities. It provides belted seating for nine people on plush Ultraleather chairs, full RV facilities that include a shower and galley, surprisingly good fuel economy – typically in the upper teens – and a superb driving experience. Airstream calls it a touring coach as opposed to a recreational vehicle or Class-B van because, frankly, it doesn’t compete directly with other RVs and there’s nothing Class-B about it. First and foremost, this is a luxury transporter for the entire family, work group, or local car club, with passengers treated to cold drinks from the refrigerator while watching a Blu-ray DVD on one of the two flat-screen TVs.


The interior is beautifully appointed, with high-quality fittings and finishes befitting a Mercedes-Benz throughout.

Outside, it has handy fuel lines to connect a propane grill, a huge electrically operated awning, electrical outlets for entertainment accessories, and LED accent lights. In short, it’s the road-trip party machine that you would have wished for in college – if you could have afforded roughly $150,000 to buy it.
Many buyers use the Interstate touring coach strictly for day trips, but if you want to travel across the country and camp in it every night, go right ahead. It sleeps two people on a king-size bed that sets up in about two minutes, thanks to a powered folding couch in back. You’ll also enjoy a full bathroom with shower and a fully equipped kitchen with propane burners, convection microwave and refrigerator.


There’s room for two on a king-size bed, concealed in a powered folding couch when not needed.

For this review, I took the Interstate for a 1,600-mile journey through California and Arizona, sleeping in it for 10 nights; in the end, I found that I didn’t want to give it back. The Interstate goes lots of places that a larger RV or travel trailer couldn’t begin to navigate, bringing you to the center of the action, whether that’s downtown or a beachfront parking spot, with all the comforts of home. It also fits in many driveways, a feature that proved useful while visiting friends in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley.


Outside, the Airstream Interstate has handy fuel lines to connect a propane grill, a huge electrically operated awning, electrical outlets for entertainment accessories, and LED accent lights.

Driving the Interstate is not nearly as intimidating as you might think. Airstream orders the Sprinter chassis with numerous upgrades, including suspension improvements and a full complement of safety features such as lane-keeping and blind-spot assistance, as well as traction control.

An excellent back-up camera takes the nail biting out of reversing, and the Sprinter offers a fairly tight turning radius for a vehicle with a 170-inch wheelbase, so it’s relatively easy to maneuver in parking lots.


The Airstream Interstate was a convenient and very comfortable way to explore the byways of California and Arizona.

Perhaps most surprising is the impressive torque. The 6-cylinder diesel BlueTEC engine – mated to a 5-speed automatic – leaps forward from a stop in a way you wouldn’t expect from a recreational vehicle, thanks to 325 pound-feet of torque. It’s not going to set any records on the autocross, but around town it’s no slouch and on the highway it’s happy to cruise at 75 mph without even breathing hard. In 1,600 miles of mixed driving that included plenty of Southern California traffic, I averaged 16.0 mpg – remarkable for such a large vehicle.


At nearly 25 feet long, the Interstate EXT is not exactly small, but proved tractable and easy to handle.

In the EXT version, which is 15 inches longer than the regular Interstate, there’s room behind the rear couch for 30 cubic feet of cargo – enough space for three golf bags, some scuba gear, or several full-size suitcases. If you have something heavier in mind to take along, you can tow your other Mercedes behind. A 5,000-pound tow rating means that it’s no problem to hitch up a tow dolly or flatbed, once you have the appropriate brake controller wired.

The fit and finish of our test vehicle was excellent. Airstream’s conversion of the Sprinter into an Interstate befits the Mercedes platform that it rests on. Extensive soundproofing means that sleeping inside is a peaceful experience. My only complaint in that regard was the Onan propane-fueled generator, which is on the noisy side when running to power the microwave or rooftop air conditioner. But if you connect the Interstate to electricity at a campground,
there’s no need for the generator. Even without generator or outside power, the Interstate has a separate 200-amp-hour battery and inverter to supply all the other electrical equipment such as TV, DVD player, refrigerator, and  the water pump.



Camping out was never this luxurious back in the day!

With those amenities and supplies of water and propane onboard, you can literally drive this touring coach anywhere and spend several comfortable days lacking for absolutely nothing. Or just spend the day tailgating with your favorite fans or at the seashore with your friends. The Airstream Interstate is game for almost anything, and it never lets you forget that it’s still a Mercedes-Benz at its core. 

Note: As of June 2014, MBCA members get $500 off the purchase price of a new Interstate. Non-members will receive one free year of MBCA membership, courtesy of Airstream.


 
Luxury home away from home: the Airstream Interstate. I traveled all along the California coast in comfort.
 
This hotel is on wheels:
 
2015 Airstream Interstate EXT
CHASSIS: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 High Roof 170” WB EXT
ENGINE: Mercedes-Benz 3.0-liter V-6 BlueTEC turbodiesel
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 188 hp/325 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic
LENGTH: 24’ 4.5”  HEIGHT (with a/c): 9’ 8”  WIDTH: 6’ 7.7”
INTERIOR HEIGHT: 6’ 2.25”  INTERIOR WIDTH: 5’ 10”
SEATING: up to nine (all with safety belts)
PRICE AS TESTED: $150,000 (approximately)