Airstream Turns a Dually Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 Into an Overlanding Home

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s arguably best known for its retro aluminum trailers, but that’s not all Airstream offers these days. The company also has a line of camper vans, the Airstream Interstate models, based on the Mercedes Sprinter. And recently, that line gained one more member. For those interested in a spot of overlanding or off-roading, Airstream offers the Interstate 24X.

The Airstream Interstate 24X: a Class B camper van that builds on the off-road creds of a Mercedes Sprinter 3500

Airstream Interstate 24X | Airstream

Airstream’s Interstate camper van lineup has two main models: the Interstate 19 and the longer Interstate 24. And up until now, the latter offered two trim levels, the 24GL and the 24GT. Like the Interstate 19 and the special-edition Tommy Bahama model, they were primarily designed around traveling on paved roads. The Airstream Interstate 24X, though, lets the Class B van hit the dirt. Or mud, sand, gravel, etc.

An Airstream Interstate 24X starts as an extended-cab Mercedes Sprinter 3500 XD with a 170” wheelbase, MotorTrend explains. That ‘XD’ part refers to the van’s dual-rear-wheel configuration. And while 24Gs have optional 4WD, the 24X is built on a Sprinter 4×4, so it gets standard 4WD.

Although the 2021 Mercedes Sprinter has a four-cylinder turbodiesel powertrain, the Airstream Interstate 24X uses the 2020 model’s 3.5-liter turbodiesel V6. It’s rated at 188 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque and comes with a seven-speed automatic. And it gives the 24X a 5000-lb towing capacity.

4WD isn’t the only off-road-friendly feature the Airstream Interstate 24X offers, though. It has height-adjustable air suspension, Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires, and a 42” LED light bar. The wheels, bumpers, and side panels have a protective coating to resist scrapes and scratches. And if the light bar’s not enough, the van has several side and rear LED pods and an LED strip on the power patio awning.

This camper van has all the comforts of home

The interior of an Airstream Interstate 24X as viewed from the front
Airstream Interstate 24X front interior view | Airstream

Speaking of the power awning, the Airstream Interstate 24X is still a modern camper van. That means the Sprinter chassis gets packed with a wide variety of wilderness-welcome tech.

The 24X comes standard with an onboard LPG-powered 2.5-kW generator, a 400-W solar panel system, a 2000-W inverter, and two 100-Ah lithium-ion deep-cycle batteries. This all helps power the USB charging outlets, the dimmable ceiling lights, the Resonado audio system, and the 5G-ready antenna. Plus, the 24X comes pre-wired for TVs and satellite dishes.

The rear view of the interior of an Airstream Interstate 24X loaded with gear and personal items
Airstream Interstate 24X rear interior with gear | Airstream

But that’s just the start. The Airstream Interstate 24X has a 13,500-BTU A/C unit, a two-burner stove, a fridge/freezer combo, a sink, a microwave, and both a furnace and a water heater. Those last two are also designed with high-altitude operation in mind, The Drive notes. However, the water heater isn’t just for the sink: the 24X has a proper bathroom. And as for water storage, the van has a 23-gallon fresh-water tank, a 24-gallon gray water tank, and an 11-gallon black water tank.

As standard, the Airstream Interstate 24X seats six passengers with sleeping space for two. But the van’s interior is configurable, with multiple bed options and a modular table system, Car and Driver explains. It’s also upholstered in marine-grade Simtex fabric, though the two front captain’s chairs get faux leather. And if you need somewhere to secure or hang your gear, the 24X’s L-Track system runs along the ceiling, walls, and floor.

How much does the Airstream Interstate 24X cost?

The Interstate 24X is now available to order from Airstream dealers, though deliveries won’t start for several weeks. But getting one won’t be easy on your wallet. Before options, the van starts at $213,850.

To be sure, you can build a camper van for significantly less. And there are some cheaper off-road-focused options, such as the Storyteller Beast Mode. However, Airstream’s Sprinter build offers a few more luxuries. Plus, how many $214K homes can drive on- and off-road?

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RELATED: 5 Affordable Camper Vans That Are Actually Cool

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US Traffic Deaths Worst In 15 Years

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With the coronavirus shutdowns in 2020, one would think that US traffic deaths would have taken a dive. Instead, traffic deaths soared to their highest since 2007. In all 38,680 people lost their lives on US roads. 

Traffic deaths increased by 7.3 percent

Traffic flowing | Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

That figure represents an increase of 7.2 percent. It is over 2,500 more than all of 2019. And what is striking about the stats is that Americans drove 13 percent fewer miles than they did in 2019. That equates to 1.37 deaths per 100 million miles-the highest number since 2006. In 2019 that number was 1.11 deaths per 100 million. 

So what happened? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were a number of factors in play. Impaired driving, speeding, and more drivers not wearing seat belts were the big factors in the rise in deaths. 

The NHTSA released a statement saying “fewer Americans drove but those who did take more risks and had more fatal crashes. … It’s irresponsible and illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which not only puts your life at risk but the lives of others.”

The scene of a crash that killed a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department motorcycle deputy on Thursday, February 25, 2021, in Lakewood, California
The scene of a crash | Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Deaths were up 15 percent for those not wearing seat belts. Speeding deaths rose by 10 percent, and alcohol-related accidents were up almost 10 percent. “We intend to use all available tools to reverse these trends and reduce traffic fatalities and injuries,” said acting NHTSA Administrator Steven Cliff.

Since the roads were less congested, more Americans who drove took bigger risks. With roads seeing fewer travelers it was easier to speed, and that contributed to the death rate as well. Many drivers assumed that with the risk of contracting COVID-19 the police wouldn’t be so quick to issue speeding tickets. Luckily, some numbers went down. Accidents, where large trucks were involved, dropped two percent. Deaths among people 65 and older dropped about nine percent. 

“Drivers who remained on the roads engaged in more risky behavior”

An image of a crashed Dodge Durango Hellcat at a Copart lot.
Dodge Durango Hellcat | Copart

Finally, a high number of accidents involved the use of drugs or alcohol. Says the NHTSA, “Drivers who remained on the roads engaged in more risky behavior, including speeding, failing to wear seat belts, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

There is money proposed in President Biden’s infrastructure package for “vital funding” for road safety. Of course, traffic getting back to pre-COVID-19 levels means people will drive slower. And hopefully, with more cars on the road, they will also drive more carefully. So there is a silver lining to lots of traffic and vehicles on the road. 

RELATED: Deadly Crashes Prompt U.S. Agency to Beg Drivers to ‘Stop Taking Unnecessary Risks on the Road’

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The 2021 Kia Telluride Breaks Other SUVs’ Hearts With Another Win

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Kia Telluride is simply one of the best options on the market when it comes to SUVs. It’s too far to call anything “flawless,” but when it comes to the Telluride, it may as well be. As such, the 2021 Kia Telluride has continued to outpace other SUVs and win award after award.

Everyone loves the Kia Telluride

The 2020 Kia Telluride | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Simply put, the Kia Telluride, as far as anyone knows, can do no wrong. Not only do car reviewers love the car, but so do actual customers themselves. After all, it’s one thing for a review site to give the Telluride a good review, it’s another thing if nobody wants to buy one. But in the Telluride’s case, not only does it have great reviews, but people simply are buying the Telluride quickly and in large numbers.

That’s probably to be expected since the Telluride sits at a sweet spot for many American families. At a starting price tag of about $32,000, it’s not a cheap car, but it’s also not an expensive one. As such, that price tag allows many families to afford and enjoy the Telluride. 

When it comes to enjoying the car, families can do that too since the Telluride has a lot of luxurious and smart features that simply provide a great experience. That said, the Telluride has only been on sale for two model years, so its longevity is unknown right now. Regardless, as long as Kia keeps making Tellurides, it seems like the Telluride will keep winning awards.

The 2021 Kia Telluride is the best family car

Shopping for a family car can be a difficult chore, as that car has to be many things and then some. After all, that car’s going to be driving your family around, and certainly, most folks are going to want the best for their family. That’s why, when Good Housekeeping took a look at the family car market, it had a long list of things to keep track of. Cars not only have to be safe, but they also have to be comfortable and practical for families.

As many Kia Telluride owners may know by now however, the Telluride met and exceeded those expectations. Good Housekeeping ultimately declared the Telluride as the best family car in the full-size SUV segment. Not only does the Telluride have three, spacious rows of seats, but its interior, being as luxurious as it is, means that families can experience some ridiculous comfort for the Telluride’s relatively affordable $32,000 price tag.

Not only was the Telluride comfortable to be in, but it was also comfortable to drive in, according to Good Housekeeping. And of course, not only does the Telluride have a huge suite of smart safety features that’ll keep the family safe, but it also has plenty of practical features. In fact, Good Housekeeping wrote that when its seats are folded down, the Telluride can fit up to 35 carry-on bags.

Smaller options than the Telluride

The Kia Telluride may have taken home the top prize for its segment, but ultimately, many families simply don’t need a $32,000 SUV that’s capable of seating seven to eight people. For those folks, Good Housekeeping has other good recommendations. 

For example, in the compact SUV segment, Good Housekeeping said that the 2021 Honda CR-V was the best in its class for families. This shouldn’t be too surprising, as the CR-V is popular with critics and customers, just like the Telluride is. Another great smaller option is another Honda. Good Housekeeping said that one of the best midsize sedans for families is the 2021 Honda Accord. This frankly isn’t too shocking either, since the Accord is very popular.

RELATED: The Honda Accord Is the Best Honda Car You Can Buy Today

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Ford Testing a Jeep Gladiator Might Mean a Ford Bronco Pickup truck Is in the Works

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Like any good record collection, the Ford Bronco has always got some Rumors (Fleetwood Mac). The Ford Bronco and Jeep Gladiator / Wrangler beef has been growing over the past year. Now we see Ford testing a Jeep Gladiator in a confusing cross manufacturing mixup. Could this signal interest from Ford in making a Bronco pickup truck? 

2021 Jeep® Gladiator Rubicon | Stellantis

Is there going to be a Ford Bronco pickup truck? 

According to The Drive, The new Ford Bronco came from a pickup truck in the first place. The rugged 2021 Ford Bronco that has everyone waiting in anticipation was built on the Ford Ranger frame. Knowing that makes it seem like the transition back to a pickup truck wouldn’t be all that hard. 

The rumors have been spreading for a while now, but we are starting to see some real evidence suggesting that the Bronco might be getting a truck verison within the next handful of years. 

In keeping with the Jeep rivalry, the theoretical Bronco truck will likely have its sights set on the Jeep Gladiator. 

What’s a Jeep doing on Ford land? 

Ford Authority recently shared some photos of a Jeep leaving what is believed to be Ford testing property wearing Michigan manufacturer plates. For the first clue, these types of plates are only for car companies to use on their pre-production prototypes, press cars, company cars, or brought-in models from rivals for testing.

If this is, in fact, a Ford property, it may signal that the Bronco Warthog might have its sights on the more desert-running Jeep Gladiator Mohave instead of the more rock-crawler-focused Rubicon. 

This all feels very far away

A yellow Ford Bronco off road at sunset in the desert. Rumors suggest that the Bronco pickup truck may be coming in the next handful of years.
A yellow Ford Bronco sans doors

Seeing as how the regular Bronco hasn’t been able to keep to its production and delivery schedule, it is unlikely we will see any Bronco trucks anytime soon. We first heard about them last July. The soonest we could see one of these would likely be 2023 and as late as 2025. 

Reports suggest that the Bronco’s full line of powertrain options will be available, except for the 3.0-liter EcoBoost used to power the Bronco Warthog. Like everything else, the Bronco will likely also see an all-electric option at some point too.

Ford keeps dropping hints that it plans to do an EV in the Bronco family. So far, the teaser images have hinted at making the EV more in the Bronco Sport size. The truck platform Bronco will stay the same for a while. 

With the news that Ford offers the Maverick pickup in hybrid and the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning with a monster range, the Ford Bronco Sport EV is stepping into a strong EV/hybrid line. This means it will have to come correct. 

Ford has made it abundantly clear that not only is it dedicated to an electric future, but that it also means to do so as quickly as possible. 

The Ford Bronco is quickly becoming a living legend

While the regular Bronco remains highly coveted and hotly anticipated, it’s hard to see how the addition of a pickup truck version could do anything other than send the Bronco line to the moon and back. 

RELATED: A Convoy of Ford Bronco Concepts Crashed the Easter Jeep Safari

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