2018 Airstream Interstate Lounge EXT Review
The 2018 Airstream Interstate is a luxe collaboration between Airstream and Mercedes-Benz, turning an ordinary road trip into a glam adventure. Owners get all the comforts and features of much larger coaches, including top-of-the-line design and safety features.
Three floorplan options are available, including the Interstate Lounge EXT, which is meant to carry a crowd with a total of nine seatbelts. It’s built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Extended Chassis and runs on a Mercedes-Benz 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel Engine. It has a gross vehicle weight rating of 11,030 lbs and a gross combined weight rating of 15,250 lbs. With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs, you can bring along some toys for your trip.
The Interstate Lounge is just over 24’ long, 9’8” tall including the air conditioner unit, and 6’8” wide.
As for capacities, the fresh water tank holds 32 gallons, the gray water tank holds 27 gallons and the black water tank holds 13 gallons.
Outside living with the Interstate Lounge includes a power awning with integrated LED lighting, propane hook-up for a grill, exterior shower with hot and cold water, and LED lighting under the carriage, for the patio, and at power box locations. Pass-through storage is found at the rear.
COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2016 Roadtrek CS Adventurous
Inside, the Interstate Lounge cockpit is set up for comfort and driving ease, with heated driver and passenger seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-inch touch screen satellite/navigation radio/DVD system, heated anti-fog windshield and rear- and side-view camera monitor. Optional on-demand four-wheel drive gives a little more stability and control when you’re taking the road less traveled.
Several features that were optional previously are now standard on the 2018 model, including an extra seat -in the lounge area, as well as the two screens – the easy slide-close side screen and the electronically controlled rear screen, which allows you to get a nice breeze through the coach.
Moving back into the main cabin, there’s a modern and luxurious feel due to the sleek, clean-lined and high-gloss cabinetry with its European-style curved-corner corners and Italian wood veneer. Seating is upholstered in ultraleather and the walls and window coverings are microsuede – all pattern-free to keep the look clean. Corian countertops with rounded edges, backsplashes, and plank-style synthetic flooring complete the look.
Cockpit chairs and the two seats directly behind swivel so they can all face each other, and a Corian pedestal table sets up easily in the middle.
COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2016 Winnebago Travato 59G
The bathroom has a one-piece shower, toilet, sink with articulated mirror, and a retractable clothesline.
Two widescreen LED televisions are found in the coach – one at the front of the cabin and one near the sleeping area. The power sofa at the rear folds down into a bed and the two seats in front of it also fold down to create a nice big sleeping space. Hidden floor storage keeps things oust of the way.
Three interior décor color palettes are available to choose from, and the exterior comes in three classic and simple paint options – black, silver, or white.
The Interstate Lounge has been designed with safety in mind, and comes equipped with loads of features, including the Mercedes-Benz Load-Adaptive ESP system, collision prevention assist, lane keeping assist, and blind spot assist. It also includes rear- and side-view cameras, and driver and passenger front and side airbags keep you as safe as you are comfortable. For even more safety peach of mind, Airstream offers owners year-round emergency roadside assistance, 24 hours a day, every day.
The 2018 Airsteam Interstate Lounge starts at $165,878. For more information, visit http://www.airstream.com/.
