There are a lot of SUVs on the market that range from the very basic to the very luxurious. If you are looking for one that is a good family SUV, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee might be a good choice. A Jeep that is very much oriented toward families, particularly with the impressive safety systems that come standard, it is also a reasonably good value. It is also one of the better SUVs for towing, which can usually come in handy for families.

The Grand Cherokee is a good Jeep for families

No. 3 on U.S. News’ list of the best SUVs for families, is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is pretty spacious inside and does well both off-road and on the pavement, though it is not quite as smooth on the pavement as off-road.

Some available features that make this Jeep a good choice for families include two complete sets of LATCH connectors, a rear-seat entertainment system with DVD and Blu-Ray capability available, and safety features that received top marks from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Impressive safety features

Even though Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, is not known for producing vehicles with a ton of standard safety features, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is different, which is super important for a family vehicle. Forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking systems, and pedestrian detection are all standard. It also has child safety locks, an abundance of airbags, and hands-free park assist.

The Laredo trim, which is the base trim, comes with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alerts. The 4WD model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the two-wheel-drive model received a four-star rating. It received the highest rating possible, Good, from the IIHS in four out of the six crash test ratings.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

For the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, there is an overwhelming number of trim options available. The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Other engines available include a 5.7-liter V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, a 6.4-liter V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, and the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive standard, and 4WD available, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds, depending on the engine you get.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee has seating for five, with ample legroom and headroom. Cloth seats are standard, but leather seats, as well as heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel are available. The infotainment system is easy to use with simple menus, and is a touchscreen but also has manual buttons for audio and climate controls.

It features a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and six speakers. Available upgrades include an 8.4-inch touchscreen, a nine-speaker audio system, remote start, and a Harman Kardon 19-speaker sound system. Keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and push-button start are all standard.

Finding an SUV that is affordable, family-oriented, and with some luxury touches, might seem impossible. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee seems to bring all of these together in a decent SUV, with impressive safety ratings. And while nice entertainment systems, towing capacity, cargo space, and a good engine are important, when shopping for a vehicle for your family, safety should be one of the most important features that you consider.