Winnebago’s new Revel camper van is not your grandfather’s RV

The Iowa-based RV company Winnebago has been making affordable motorhomes since the early 1960s. The brand became so popular that the very name Winnebago—to say nothing of the ubiquitous “flying W” running along the RV’s side—became synonymous with motor homes everywhere.

Winnebago’s latest RV, however, looks nothing like the Minnie Winnie’s of the past. Like many of today’s hottest adventure vehicles, the new Winnebago Revel is built to go anywhere, for however long you want to stay there. Winnebago is also calling it the first mass-produced, manufactured 4x4 RV in the United States.

Using a 144-inch Mercedes-Benz 4x4 Sprinter as the base, the Revel is chock-full of outdoorsy amenities, like a 3-liter turbo diesel engine, all-terrain tires, and an on-demand four-wheel-drive system that has a high, low, and “hill descent” mode.

Inside, the Revel provides all the conveniences you’d expect from a larger motorhome, like a full kitchen, air conditioning, and heating. The van can sleep two on a rear-mounted power-lift bed that, in its highest position, allows for 140 cubic feet for bikes, surfboards, or whatever other gear you want. An innovative take on the gear garage, Winnebago’s moveable bed takes a page out of the playbook of DIY van builders who have explored ways to maximize space in their adventure vans. At night, you can lower the bed with the push of a button.

The living areas include an induction cooktop, water filtration system, flip-up counter, and plenty of storage. The wet bath features a toilet, shower head, and flip-down sink, and the bathroom can also double as a closet with removable clothes hangers and supports for three removable shelves.

The driver cab seats swivel so they can be part of the main cabin action, and a folding table sits between the front seats and a dinette that can convert into a single bed. Other perks include a six-inch touchscreen entertainment system, rear-view camera, keyless remote entry, and the option for navigation and Bluetooth.

Outside, 200 watts of roof-mounted solar panels power the whole thing, and Winnebago added a few extras like an electric awning with built-in LED lighting, and an exterior hot/cold shower to help you scrub off all that mountain-biking dirt. Screen doors on the side and rear will keep bugs out, and a moveable ladder lets you access the roof rack, or just take kickass Instagram photos.

Starting at $134,799, the Winnebago Revel is out of the price range for #vanlifers hoping to do things on a budget. It’s also on par with many of the custom van builds from customers like Sportsmobile, which begs the question of why you wouldn’t just design your own van instead of paying for the Winnebago. But Winnebago is a well-known, reputable company with plenty of dealers to get your motorhome serviced, so the new Revel could be a good fit for many.

Check out the video and a few more photos, below:

Winnebago

Winnebago

Winnebago

Winnebago