Family Utility: Our Favorite SUVs to Buy Used

Anyone with a family knows that a car is about much more than just transportation. Many days, different kids need to be in different places at the same time, which requires a lot of coordination among parents. You may need to pack meals, clothes, bags, strollers, and much more while juggling various drop-off and pick-up times—and that’s just the daily routine! We haven’t even mentioned vacations, road trips, or weekend getaways, where packing can feel like you’re loading up your entire house just to escape for a little while. If you pack too much, the ride can become uncomfortable for some passengers, and if all the seats are needed because of your family’s size, that can limit your cargo space. 

If this juggling act sounds familiar, you understand that having a vehicle is essential for managing your family’s activities. Flexible interior space is key, and ensuring everyone’s safety during the ride is even more important. For families managing these needs, a used SUV is an excellent choice. With ample space, convenient features, and reasonable prices, a used SUV can significantly enhance your family’s day-to-day driving experience. However, stepping into a used car dealership can be overwhelming due to the vast array of options available. 

SUVs represent one of the largest classes in the automotive industry, available in various shapes and sizes and with all kinds of features. If you’re not a car enthusiast and are simply looking for a practical SUV to simplify your life, it can feel like a chore to research all the options, learn the necessary terminology, and make an informed decision. To help ease this burden, we have compiled a list of our favorite SUVs to assist you in finding the perfect fit for your family. So, let’s dive right in; here are our top recommendations for a family-friendly SUV…

The Jeep Grand Cherokee

We love our Jeeps. The reason we stand by this brand is that it has a knack for tying together utility, safety, performance, and design in a beautifully cohesive manner. However, Jeep’s major differentiation is its particular focus on off-roading. By nature of this focus, Jeep models lean heavily into a niche realm of utility. Anyone who loves camping and hitting the trails needs a flexible vehicle to accommodate a variety of circumstances that will crop up along the way. 

Your family doesn’t need to have any plans for off-roading in order for a Jeep to be a good fit; while there’s not a model in Jeep’s lineup that isn’t off-road-ready, the brand produces many models that have the comfort of families in mind. Perhaps the most noteworthy such model is the Grand Cherokee. Even if you’re not a car enthusiast, this is likely a nameplate you’ve heard of before.

With up to three rows of seating for a total of seven passengers, the Grand Cherokee offers all the benefits of a full-size SUV in the body of a midsize SUV, meaning it’s an easy fit in the typical suburban garage. It’s worth noting that the traditional Grand Cherokee only has two rows of seating, with the rest reserved for cargo, so if you’re looking for three rows, you’ll want to seek out the Grand Cherokee L variant, which was released in 2021.

One of the things that makes the Grand Cherokee an appealing midsize SUV, aside from the option of third-row seating, is that its impressive powertrain allows for powerful towing capability—more than 6,000 lbs, and potentially as high as 7,200 lbs. So, if you’re taking a trip and your family’s needs exceed what the rear cargo space can accommodate, you’ll be able to hitch a trailer and take more for the ride, whether it’s simply more luggage or even something as large as an RV or boat. 

The Grand Cherokee is renowned for its luxury design and technology features. If you’re a parent who spends a lot of time in the car, it would be nice if you actually loved being inside the cabin. With warm color schemes, attractive stitching patterns, and Jeep’s advanced technology, you’ll be well set for an enjoyable ride. The Grand Cherokee is one of Jeep’s most acclaimed models, and we think any family would relish the comfort and flexibility of this particular SUV.

The Jeep Wrangler

You may not have expected to see the Wrangler on this list. Sure, a Grand Cherokee is a logical option for a family, but the Wrangler is renowned for its off-roading prowess! However, as we said about Jeep’s position as a brand, the Wrangler’s focus on off-roading makes it well-designed for anyone seeking a utility-oriented SUV. 

Size will be a consideration with the Wrangler. If you’re looking for a three-row SUV, perhaps the Wrangler isn’t the way to go, but if you’re only in need of two rows, you may be surprised at how well this classic off-roader suits your family’s needs, especially if you favor utility over luxury (compared to the Grand Cherokee, which is the opposite). In many ways, off-roaders and families have similar needs: strong and stable architecture, great safety technology, and creative storage solutions. As such, the Wrangler offers all of these things, making it well-equipped to serve any family looking for safety and practicality. 

The Wrangler is one of the most famous and beloved vehicles of all time, and for a good reason: the thrills this vehicle can provide, combined with Jeep’s iconic aesthetic, are unmatched. For mom and dad, this may be an opportunity to have a car you’ve always wanted while still having something that serves your family well—and when the summer comes, everybody aboard will ask for you to take the roof off and feel the wind. 

The Chevy Equinox

Like Jeep, another brand known for producing reliable family vehicles is Chevy. While the bowtie brand has several well-known SUVs, including the mighty Suburban and Tahoe, the compact Equinox has a lot to say for itself. While this is a two-row SUV, the Equinox finds a great deal of cargo space within its efficient frame, offering creative solutions for your family’s ever-changing needs. 

Perhaps one of the biggest endorsements for the Equinox (and Chevy as a brand) is its safety technology. Anyone with kids will agree that safety supersedes all other attributes when considering a vehicle. This brand’s iconic driver assistance suite, Chevy Safety Assist, includes features like Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Following Distance Indicator. Having been a mainstay in Chevy’s lineup for many years, you’ll have no problem finding a used Equinox with this great suite.

Beyond Chevy Safety Assist is the brand’s award-winning Teen Driver tool. If you have kids for whom driving is or will soon be common, you’ll want to have Teen Driver. This tool allows parents to set certain boundaries, including maximum speed and stereo volume, ensuring that their teen driver makes careful decisions. With Teen Driver, the Equinox is a great vehicle in which to train teen drivers. 

Family Utility at an Accessible Price

When it comes to family vehicles, utility takes precedence over power most days. All of the models we’ve listed here are highly practical yet provide the oomph factor for life’s adventures. Safety and utility are key, but it’s also nice to have extra features that make the ride enjoyable, especially if you’re a parent who spends long periods in the car. 

Each of these models is known for its spaciousness, stability, and excellent comfort and tech features. So, whether you’re looking for a compact, midsize, or off-road-oriented SUV, you have plenty of options.

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