The Dodge Sprinter- ever heard of it? You've probably seen it, but did not know what it was. It's the boxy slope-nosed vans that you've seen maybe delivering packages, flowers or carrying plumbing equipment and more. It's a little odd looking, but it's a widely popular utility van in Europe that has made its way across the pond and into the United States. Though it bears the Dodge name, the parts are actually manufactured by Mercedes in Germany. Yes, the Mercedes. When the parts reach the United States, they are assembled to US specs under the Dodge brand. Now, what does a European / American utility van have to offer you? The answer is a comfortable, roomy road trip with your family.
The features that make this van a great choice for a utility vehicle also make it a great choice for your family, especially if you have a large family. Roomy is the best way to describe the interior. There is room for at least 12 with cargo space in the back. If there is no need to seat that many, you can take out some of the seats for more luggage or even for some fun customizing. Add a table, a fridge, a television and you can turn into a mini-RV. With the extra high headroom, you and the kids can move around with ease as opposed to the Dodge Sprinter's competitors that have lower ceilings.
When you check the price for a Dodge Sprinter, you will notice that it runs a bit more expensive than other utility vehicles in its class. But, don't let that deter you. When you consider how many people you can fit in it and all the extra cargo space you can't get from the competitors, it makes it a good deal. Plus, you save money on your total travel expenses. Think about trying to fly the whole family, especially these days. You have to pay for every little amenity – it costs a fortune. Instead, you can load everyone up and move at your own pace.
Here's the best part- you are getting great gas mileage. The Dodge Sprinter has a direct fuel injection so it utilizes the fuel more efficiently. You can expect more than 20 mpg with the turbo diesel. If you want a little more horsepower, the gas engine gets a little less mileage. But, both engines surpass the miles per gallon of the competitors.
So, there's room and you get good gas mileage – what else? On a family road trip, the most important thing is safety and the Dodge Sprinter brings you just that. It has four-wheel anti-lock brakes, stability control, automatic tire pressure monitors, brake regulators for appropriate distribution of power and it anticipates roll-over situations and corrects before it happens. Despite the top heavy look, the Dodge Sprinter is agile and easy to maneuver on the road and in tight spots.
For a trip to your favorite theme park or a long weekend camping, investing in a Dodge Sprinter makes sense. You can put an end to the endless sibling bickering and you can guarantee that he's not on her side. It will make the family road trips more fun and less stressful on everyone.