"She's touching me!" "I can't stretch my legs!" "Are we there yet?!" The very idea of loading up the family for an evening out or for a road trip makes you cringe when it should be about a quality family time. But, your regular van is just not getting the job done. The seats are small and the space between the benches is narrow. If you're going on a trip, by the time everyone is loaded up, there's no room for luggage, much less stuff to entertain the kids with on the long drive. Now, there is a vehicle that is gaining popularity in the United States both as a cargo van and as a passenger vanand it's called the Dodge Sprinter.

Maybe you've seen plumbers, electricians, package delivery guys or even the florist driving these funny-looking vans around town and wondered where in the world they came from. Well, this van is actually manufactured in Germany at the Mercedes plant. The parts are then shipped to the U.S. where they are assembled to U.S. specifications. The space and the potential for customizing makes this vehicle a class apart from its competitors.

First of all, the passenger van comes with standard 12 passenger seating. The driver and the front passenger get comfortable bucket seats that swivel so you can check on the kids in the back without getting up. Bench seats fill the back for the kids. But, even after you've put everyone in, there is still plenty of room available behind the back bench for luggage and there is space under the seats for more baggage. This frees up the leg room for the kids so that everyone can be comfortable.

Safety is important when traveling with your family and the Dodge Sprinter does not compromise on this. It has stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, front airbags and LATCH anchors for the back seats and traction control. There are also a ton of options to choose from to make your van as luxurious as you want by installing gadgets like heated seats, six-CD changer, a sunroof and much more.

However, if you really want to customize it, you can do it yourself or there are companies who specialize in it. The Dodge Sprinter is becoming popular as a mini-RV and a more efficient alternative to the RV, this vehicle can be tricked out just like one. Benches with pull-out beds can be moved to the sides, put a table in the center, install a fridge- the possibilities are endless.

And, what makes this so attractive as a family van or mini-RV is that it gives great gas mileage for this class of vehicle. The V6 turbo diesel typically gives mileage in the mid-twenties. Now, you are compromising a little power for this, but the saved money is worth it. If you still need to power, a V6 gas engine is available and it still gets in the high teens to about 20 mpg.

The Dodge Sprinter is really no more expensive than a loaded full-size SUV and you get a lot more room for the money plus better gas mileage. Isn't that really the bottom line when you've got a big family- safe, economical travel? You sure can't fly the family for a bargain! But with your Dodge Sprinter, you can finally turn family travel time into family quality time.