Airstream Interstate 19X: An Off-Road Capable Motorhome, but Now More Compact

Airstream has been in the Class B motorhome market since 2004 - that same market that is expected to jump by 50% by 2027. The whole #vanlife frenzy might be a product of the 2020 international health crisis, but it's more than a passing trend: it's a new way of life, and it's here to stay.

For Airstream, maker of one of the world's most iconic travel trailers, this means now's the right time to further expand its line of campervans. This time, Airstream has taken its popular Interstate 24 Class B motorhome and transferred it onto a more compact platform. "Small footprint, big adventure" is one of the taglines of the new Interstate 19X campervan, and it lives up to it.

Put differently, the Airstream Interstate 19X introduced in early September 2023 is the old Airstream Interstate 24X but in a much more compact package, now only 19 feet (5.8 meters) long. It's just as off-road capable and offers comparable autonomy at camp and the same kind of reliability and comfort, but it's smaller, which makes it more nimble and considerably more versatile. It's the epitome of smaller but better, if you will.

The Interstate 19X sits on the chassis of the 144-inch Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Extended 4x4 platform, with the 188 hp 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 as standard. Optionally, you can upgrade it to all-wheel-drive and will get a 211 hp four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Either option comes specced with off-pavement protection: black coating on the lower side, bumpers, and hood to protect against scratches and dents from rocks, and a Tenzing brush guard with integrated LED lights in the front, both offered as standard. The van is painted Iridium Silver Metallic, which is offered as a single option and serves as a nice contrast with the black protective coating.

The Interstate 19X rides on 17-inch black aluminum wheels clad in 245/70R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires and features black running boards and undercarriage LED lights. An extendable patio awning, an exterior shower, and an exterior gear wash station are also offered as standard, as are the roof-mounted solar panels totaling 250 watts but optionally increased for more at-camp autonomy.

The Interstate 19X looks badass and is meant to be just that, no matter where you plan to take it. It's small enough and nimble to fit in in the city and will be a breeze to operate on highways. But it's just as competent off the beaten track, where Airstream promises it will carry you safely and comfortably.

Once you get to camp, wherever that might be, the Interstate 19X becomes your home away from home, with all the creature comforts you'll need. These include a galley, an onboard bathroom, and a sleeping area that becomes a dinette or a workspace by day.

Because it's working with a smaller footprint, Airstream is going with modularity for the Interstate 19X, including an L-track on the ceiling to add or remove furniture and the convertible benches. A range of storage options both on the floor and up above and transformable furniture turn this small space into a cozy basecamp, adaptable to your needs at all times.

The interior is Red Rock with black ultra-leather and red piping and aluminum on the floor, ceiling, and windows. After all, this is an Airstream, even if it's not the kind that instantly pops to mind when you say the name.

The galley is very compact, but it still has room for a 1,000W one-burner induction cooktop that you can stow away when not using it, a small fridge and freezer, a small sink, and a microwave. The space is also accessible from the outside, which means you can extend living space under the awning when the weather allows it.

The bathroom is a wet one, but it does the job and, perhaps just as importantly, offers closed quarters for it with a flushing toilet. Unlike most vanlifers, you won't be going number 1 and 2 on the kitchen floor in a cassette toilet you've taken out of one of the closets.

The standard equipment includes a fresh, gray, and black water tank of 20, 16, and 9 gallons, respectively (75, 60, and 43 liters), a propane generator, a 2,000W inverter, and two 100Ah batteries. The solar package can be upgraded to the E1 Package for more autonomy. A 13,000 BTU non-ducted AC and a diesel Truma Combi furnace/water heater keep the interior cozy regardless of temperatures outside.

Introduced in early September, the 2024 Airstream Interstate 19X became available at Airstream dealers on September 12 with a $199,940 starting price. The good news is that it's priced under $200K. The bad news is that it's priced under $200K only by a hair.