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2016 Dodge Journey Crossroad Plus AWD

2016 Dodge Journey Crossroad Plus AWD
Melanie Hair Cut and Dark

by Melanie Droz Shawcroft

It’s All About the JOURNEY

My 4-year-old son graduated from preschool a few weeks ago, and I still cannot believe I now have a kindergartener. He is just beginning his journey; all he really needs to know, he is going to learn in this next year. The 2016 Dodge Journey shares some of the same experience that is taught to kindergartners, so it was fitting we got to test drive this SUV during such an important transition.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten Applies to the Dodge Journey

Berrett---Book-for-GraduationShare everything – The Journey can be shared with everyone because of how spacious it is. The second row 40/60 seat with fore/aft adjust with rear reclining and the third row 50/50 fold reclining seats allowed me to fit many little graduates comfortably as we headed to Peter Piper Pizza to celebrate.

Play fair – The 2016 Dodge Journey Crossroad Plus AWD is priced fairly at $29,595. With the 3.6-liter V6 24-valve VVT engine and the average 19mpg, the Journey is priced well amongst its competitors and is playing fair, unlike the recent preschool graduates who kept fighting over the Sirius XM radio station – Radio Disney or KIDZ Bop Radio. Little kids, big decisions.

Don’t hit people – Even if the Journey were to hit something, the safety features will keep everyone secure. All the graduates’ parents felt comfortable with their children riding in the Journey because of the advanced multistage front airbags, supplemental side curtain airbags in all rows and traction control.

Berrett-Cap-and-gownPut things back where you found them – There were several things we were able to leave in the Journey while celebrating with pizza. In order to keep things clean and remember what cap, gown and diploma cover belonged to which kid, we used the second row in-floor storage bins, optional cargo net and passenger in-seat cushion storage.

Clean up your own mess – The sleek exterior of the Journey is kept clean, especially since the kids remembered to wash their hands. The 19-inch black aluminum wheels, gloss black grill and dual bright exhaust tips stay shiny on the Journey.

Don’t take things that aren’t yours – The optional security alarm and remote starter system keep the Journey from people who do not own it and allows for the convenience of cooling down or heating up the car before getting in without unlocking the doors. After all, the Journey will be very inviting to outsiders, unless they see the 6 soon-to-be kindergarteners in the second and third rows.

Wash your hands before you eat – Definitely after you eat too, and especially when you are getting back in the glossy Dodge Journey. The black interior with leather seats and the leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob need to be kept clean with washed hands. It is also important to have clean hands while using the 4.3-inch touchscreen display.

journey-kindergarten-graduationTake a nap every afternoon – Make sure to avoid doing this while driving, but the Journey is a great car to take camping or to the drive-in or even the parking lot of Peter Piper Pizza since the second and third row seat fold down. The air conditioning with three-zone temperature control will keep all nappers cool too.

When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together – The Journey makes it easy to watch out for traffic with the ParkView rear back-up camera. Leaving the school after graduation was a bit hectic, but the camera made it easy to see the graduates holding hands with their balloons and flowers while I carefully exited the school.

I don’t think there is anything in the world that can make you cry harder than you ever have or have more pride rushing through your body than watching your child grow up and move through the stages of life. There is no journey like it – except maybe the 2016 Dodge Journey Crossroad Plus AWD.

Starting at: $29,595
Cost of vehicle tested: $34,360
1 Year of Pre-K @ Hearn Academy – $8,000

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