Airstream, as a brand, is recognized for its bullet-shaped trailers. They are the oldest camper trailer brand in the US, and the trailers have been their identity ever since.
But of late, Airstream has been investing in touring coaches. And the newest inclusion to the list of Airstream self-propelled motorhomes is the Airstream Atlas. The company claims that it’s their best, most luxurious, and most spacious coach to date.
Here’s a thorough review of the Airstream Atlas and everything you need to know before buying it.
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Airstream Atlas Specifications
- Length – 24.9″
- Class – B+
- Chassis – Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Chassis
- Engine – Mercedes-Benz 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel
- Horsepower – 188
- Transmission – 7 speed automatic
- Wheelbase – 170″
- Mileage – 16-18 mpg (highway)
- Tow package – Mercedes-Benz Hitch, 7 Pin Trailer Plug, Brake Control Pre-wired
- Tow capacity – 5,000 lbs maximum
- Tank capacity – 20 gallons (fresh), 31 gallons (gray), 27 gallons (black)
- Unit Base Weight (UBW) – 10,090 lbs
Airstream Atlas Interior (Floorplan)
The interior of any RV is of utmost importance. After all, that’s where you’re going to spend most of your time when traveling on wheels.
Let’s explore what Atlas’s interior has got.
The Cockpit
Starting with the front, the cockpit consists of two power seats and state-of-the-art technology.
The steering wheel has many controls built into it for one-touch action. Besides that, the driver gets to work on the Mercedes MBUX system, which is equipped with a 10.25″ touchscreen.
Airstream has put safety above everything else. Therefore, the cabin has all the necessary features like vanity mirrors, rear camera monitor, storage space, and cup holders. Charging ports are available as well.
You’d have to appreciate the clean lines across the seams, which make the cockpit resemble that of a luxury sedan.
The seats can swivel and rotate to face the cabin if required. Or you can transform them into a single bed, which allows someone to sleep with their legs straight.
Lounge
Next – and perhaps the important section – is the lounge area. The moment you open the door with the key fob remote, you get to see the ultra-leather sofa. But don’t be fooled. It’s actually a Murphy bed that folds into the wall and later serves as a comfy sofa when needed.
Facing the sofa is the hide-away, 40-inch smart TV pre-wired for Satellite Dish and accompanied by Bose soundbars. If it isn’t there, perhaps it’s behind the countertop. You can change the position with the push of a button. A spacious wardrobe closet is next to the TV.
You have enough space in the lounge to walk around. And you’ll love the walking session, courtesy of the Marine Woven Synthetic Floor.
The matte finish laminate cabinetry is just as pleasing to the eye.
Kitchen
The kitchen is just as impressive (maybe even better) as the lounge area. Keeping the luxurious touch intact, the galley walls are provided with high-end laminate finishing.
To cook any meal you want, there are solid surface countertops that are propane-powered. There’s a window you can open and close at will to facilitate airflow.
Below the window, you have a stainless steel sink and a residential-style faucet. Countertops are spacious enough to hold all the things that a kitchen would need in the long run. But it’s 9.1 cu. ft. refrigerator that people find more appealing. It’s equipped with a freezer as well.
Along with the refrigerator, Atlas comes with a 1.1 cu. ft. Convection Microwave for preparing meals in a jiffy.
Bathroom
The bathroom is the last section of the motor van. It’s located in the rear end and runs the entire width of the van. It should hint that the lavatory is going to be capacious. And that’s true.
The Airstream Atlas features a 3-piece, residential-style dry bathroom. As you open the solid wood sliding door, you gain access to a porcelain commode, walk-in shower, stainless steel sink, vanity, and a large cedar-lined closet for storing all the stuff.
Since it’s a dry bathroom, there’s a separation in place for the commode and shower.
Airstream Atlas Exterior
If the interior is about luxury and elegance, the exterior of the van is about simplicity. The van looks like a single-piece solid shell as there are no visible seams or trims. But only the engineers know that the cabin is attached to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Chassis.
Atlas is coated with automotive-grade paint, which is why it looks sleek. The Alcoa rims adorn the overall appearance as they shimmer in the sunlight.
But the exterior is not entirely about looks. It has got some useful, high-tech, life-saving features. These include fog lamps, LED undercarriage lights with dimmer, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter tail lights, LED motion lights, etc.
Along with the lights, the exterior is equipped with Parktronic sensors and a rear backup camera to give more control to the captain.
For recreational purposes, the exterior has a retractable awning that you can expand with the touch of a button. It’s all automatic and takes less than a minute to erect. But you can erect the awning manually, too, in case you want to impress your spouse.
The Atlas also comes with an outdoor shower. You can connect it to the heating system and get hot water on demand.
You’d appreciate the retractable waste hose that is used to empty the black tank. The hose ensures there’s little effort involved in handling this ‘dirty’ task.
You may also appreciate the small storage compartment that’s provided on the outside, towards the rear of the van. Access it using the key fob and store stuff you may not want to keep inside the trailer (dirty shoes or stinky socks, for example).
Why Buy an Airstream Atlas?
The RV marketplace is brimming with shiny, innovative, and roomy vehicles. When the choices are aplenty, every RV must justify its price tag to be considered by the buyer.
The team at Airstream surely knows this and has crafted the Atlas to perfection. Here are some of the reasons why the Airstream Atlas is one of the best B+ RVs:
- Luxury at its Best
The Airstream Atlas is built for a smooth, luxurious glamping experience. From the interior to the amenities to the engine, luxury is evidently at the core of its philosophy.
The power sofa equals the size of a queen-size bed when expanded. Turn on the 15,000 BTU Quietstream air conditioner ducted with a heat pump to aid your sleep. Need to keep yourself warm? Turn on the 16,000 BTU furnace.
When you’re not sleeping, turn on the 43″ LED HD TV, sit back on the sofa, take out the in-built footrests and enjoy. Or, you can open the skylight and gaze at the star instead with a cup of coffee.
There are touchscreen panels and buttons to control every part of the motorhome.
Very few models come with a residential-style bathroom. But Atlas is equipped with one and may even put some residential bathrooms to shame. Such toilets are beneficial when you’re on a long-distance trip.
The engineers have focused on the vehicle performance too. Powered by Mercedes-Benz 3.0L V6 turbo diesel engine, the van ensures a reliable drive. But it’s the premium air ride suspension that makes the difference. These are designed to absorb the shocks from the bumps and keep the van stable. You may not even realize that you passed bumps.
- Off-the-grid Experience
Airstream Atlas takes you completely off-grid. This means you don’t have to make frequent stops at gas stations while on your glamping trip.
To generate power, Atlas has a 400-watt solar system. The panels are equipped on the roof. The electricity generated by the panels is transferred to the solar charge controller and then to the battery. As per stats, solar panels will generate electricity for three to four hours every day when exposed to the sun.
Once generated, the power is supplied to the electrical appliances.
Besides the panels, there is a 3.2kw diesel generator that provides reliable power when necessary. It’s very quiet in operation, so it won’t bother you in any way.
With adequate fuel, you can stay off the grid for days.
- The Slide-out Murphy Bed
The Atlas has a slide-out Murphy bed system that doubles up as a sofa.
The RV company knows no glamping trip will be successful without good sleep. Therefore, the murphy bed in Atlas comes with a Froli mattress system. This ensures a good night’s sleep after a long, tiring day.
Even when the slide is closed, you can use the mattress system, which is a big plus.
- Intelligent Design for More Storage Space
The Atlas is perhaps the best-designed RV in terms of storage space. The motorhome has plenty of it.
When you open the main door, you can access an under-floor storage compartment. This is non-existent in most RVs. Similarly, as already mentioned, there’s another compartment towards the end of the motorhome. You can find such smart designs throughout the motorhome.
The designers have worked really hard to get storage space wherever possible. This makes the vehicle great for people who like to travel with excess luggage.
- The Airstream Quality and Efficiency
The Atlas draws on the quality and efficiency that Airstream is known for. So it’s a vehicle that’s perfected itself over the years.
In case you’re unaware, Airstream partnered with Mercedes-Benz to create its line of motorhomes. Therefore, many of the components come from Mercedes.
It is built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Chassis, which is designed for durability and efficiency. No wonder the Atlas continuously produces a mileage of 16-18 mpg. Airstream’s aerodynamic design also contributes to that higher mileage.
The Airstreams retain value over the years. In other words, they have low value depreciation. So if you intend to sell the Atlas down the road, you could fetch a good amount.
All of these factors make Airstream Atlas an all-around good investment.
How Much Does an Atlas Airstream Cost?
One thing people complain about the Airstream Atlas is the steep price. It’s one of the most expensive RVs in its class, which is B+.
The Airstream Atlas costs around $312,900 excluding taxes and add-ons. Insurance for new RVs doesn’t come cheap either.
The main reason why the Atlas costs so much is it’s in the luxury category and comes with many grandeur features. So you should expect to pay more.
Should You Buy? The Final Verdict
The big burning question is whether one should buy the Airstream Atlas. Is it worth the price tag? Well, it depends.
Airstream Atlas is clearly not suited for everyone. For example, if you’ve got a big family of four or five members, Atlas might not be for you. It only has the power sofa and the cockpit seats as makeshift beds. It’d accommodate three people at maximum capacity. Non-availability of a permanent bed is another thing some people may not like about this motorhome.
That being said, it’s the best motorhome for folks with deep pockets and in search of a luxurious Class B+ RV. No other RV comes close to it in terms of features and performance.
The Atlas is also easy to drive and maneuver. You can zip around cities and mountains with equal ease. Because of the compact size, it delivers a mileage of 18 mpg, which is impressive.
Last but not least, it’s an excellent choice for people looking for long-term use. You have years of warranty coverage from both Airstream and Mercedes-Benz on the engine and the vehicle in general.
Since it’s a high-quality motorhome and one of the few of its type, Atlas is likely going to hold its value over time. So its resale value will be higher as well.
