Award-Winning Nova Campervan Is Still at the Top of the German RV Game, and Will Always Be

Ladies and Gentlemen, La Strada, is an RV manufacturer that's been in the mobile living business for over 30 years. What initially started as a project of passion and love for mobile living soon turned into an international business renowned for its quality, craftsmanship, and luxurious living standards. Best of all, if you've got the cash, you can even grab a bespoke unit customized to your specific wants.

Well, the Nova is one of this crew's newest additions to its family. However, there's so much that goes into this thing that it requires much more than just one article to run through everything it has in store, so for the sake of time and energy; I'll stick to the really important aspects of this machine.

First and foremost, this RV is a bit more special than the average found on city streets. How? Well, La Strada pulled off such a clean, efficient, and road-worthy machine that it won it the Red Dot Award back in 2020 when it first came out. To see why, take a closer look at the images in the gallery.

Now, the base for this bugger is nothing more than a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, like most other Class B RVs on the market. But it's the shell and living space that's the real attraction behind the award-winning magic. I'm talking about that GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) monocoque shell mounted onto the chassis.

Why is this sort of design such a big deal? Well, aside from the fact that it's harder to pull off than, let's say, a camper with multiple panels, once completed, the result is a habitat or shell that's impervious to the world and elements around. This also means that the interior stays just how you like it, round the clock, ensuring systems are always running under optimum conditions and using as few resources as possible.

Overall, two floorplans are available, the M, and EB, the latter of which is considered the flagship. Personally, I'm all about the M model because it has a suspended bed that lowers from the roof come nighttime. Not only does this offer a feeling of sleeping suspended above the ground, but it's also a neat layout for folks that want to maximize interior space. But, the tradeoff is that M's cabin is shorter than that of the EB, by around 53 cm (21 in), according to details released by La Strada.

The exterior is tattered with other features that are standard and even optional, but it's the interior of these units that is a hot selling point. Currently, the M has that suspended bed I mentioned, but at the rear, another berth is present. In between, you'll find everything you'd ever need to live a comfortable and clean life.

From a German-engineered galley block suitable for three-course meals to the bathroom with separate features, it's all here. So is a day lounge for enjoying meals and entertaining possible guests. The EB, on the other hand, eliminated the floating bedroom and completed the unit with a massive beam-to-beam bed at the rear. The rest of the EB's interior is set up similarly to the M, but, again, there's a bit more space inside due to the added length.

While I explored more of the Nova, I couldn't help but notice that La Strada also took the time to pack countless life-giving and comfort systems into each Nova. From heated seats to lumbar support, AC and heating, and energy-saving LED lighting, all are part of the magic here. Beyond that, all the empty space is designed for carrying your most precious cargo, be it adventure gear, clothing, tools, or foodstuffs. Maybe you've decided to bring along an outdoor dining set. Oh, there's also a rear pass-through storage bay found under the bedding, allowing for things like kayaks and e-bikes to be loaded up.

What does all this mean for folks like you and me regarding the amount of cash needed to acquire such a unit? Well, it depends on the year and model you opt for or find. Older units start at around €100K ($109K), but some of the fresher units can start at as high as €125K ($136K). Oh, and some of the images in the gallery are of the 2021 units, but the video at the bottom of the page is of a fresh 2023 M model, so take a closer look and see if it's got what you need and want. Be sure to notice the differences between model years too, and how the Nova has grown over the years. Oh, and for some extra cash, the Nova can even be upgraded to handle some off-road use, too.