Also, (on the side impact issue), from what I've seen on the "wreck" threads around here...get some frame mounted rock rails. They seem to add a lot of side protection to preventing anything coming into the interior.

 

You've heard a lot of feedback so far. I'll throw my opinion into the mix for the heck of it.

I previously drove a 2008 F150 SuperCrew, which was traded for a 2010 JKU Rubicon. We have a pair of boys: 3 (almost 4) and 2. Both are in 5-point harness seats at this point.

If you intend to have multiple kids relatively close together, you will find available storage space for the larger strollers is barely adequate. Taking a family vacation with a stroller and bags may require a hitch cargo basket, which will make opening the rear gate challenging. However, that's a short-lived problem. Now that the guys are both out of the "big" stroller, space isn't a concern at all for the boys, wife, myself and bags for shorter trips. There's no way, I could also bring our dogs along in addition to the 4 people and bags without them camping out on top of the bags in the back. Possible, but not ideal.

In contrast, my pick-up had almost unlimited storage space for everything plus toys (dad's ww kayak and boys' stuff). The SuperCrew (4 full doors) had plenty of space for the 4 of us plus the dogs.

Another point - my boys LOVE going Jeeping. They love crawling through mud and over rocks.

Good luck with your decision. I have no regrets, just should have waited a while longer.

Jeff

 

I've got 3 kids twin 4 year old boys and an 8 yr old daughter they fit fine. When all 3 are in boosters it's a tight squeeze but she only uses hers for long trips. My jeep is mine while the wife has a loaded traverse with DVD and the kids still always want to take the jeep top on or off doesn't matter. Far as crash test never researched it but you sit higher than most plus the step bars would help I would think. Throw in some heavy duty bumpers would help with front and rear. Side worries just set the seat in the middle that would give another 2 ft of crush zone.
I also went from a f-150 to my jeep do not miss the truck at all. As far as comforts my jeep is nicer than 95% of the vehicles I've owned.

 

I went through the same thought process - two teenage twins and one 8 - with all five of us in the Jeep (4 -door) it is tight. Add the dogs and it gets tighter. We have packed up the jeep to go to the beach and other trips. And I would say it worked fine. I have thought about a roof rack but I don't want to give up the flexibility of putting down the top. But the back of the 4 door can hold a lot if packed right. We also have a minivan and there is no doubt the van has more room. We can pack a lot in the van and on the roof. If you want to make a very practical decision as it relates to room/storage, there are roomier vehicles. And there is no doubt it gets hot (even with a/c) and it isn't quiet. And I would add I have had the Jeep for 4 years and a hair over 100K miles - and I use it daily. For me, I wouldn't trade it. For the family, there are times when the Van makes sense - add one more person (a friend, etc) and we use the Van. But we all enjoy the Jeep on the nice days, at the beach, on the trail, and in the bad weather. So it always boils down to the trade offs. I have debated getting one of those chaser trailers where I could pack stuff for trips! Good luck!

 

lemme put it this way: 3 kids, I took the Jeep this weekend to my daughter's soccer tournament. Minivan mpg is only slightly better and I like my JK seat better for long drives. Plenty of room for the cooler and all our bags, my bicycle on the back for riding between games. Yes, it takes a while to get the back to temp, but the JK HVAC system is a world apart from my CJ and can maintain temp in my black unlimited hardtop.
My JK has tackled rocks, mud, sand, and the Badlands red trail. When it wasn't raining this past week, the top and doors were off.
Unless your other option is a high-mpg sedan, the JK is an awesome family vehicle.

 

3 kids and a girlfriend, all prefer to take the jku anytime we are going anywhere over the minivan. But they especially like it when the road turns into anything that doesn't even resemble a road... do that in a minivan!

 

Jeep Wrangler JKU.....it's the go anywhere, do anything vehicle.....that even includes family vehicle. I bought my JKU with family in mind...currently have my 1st on the way and the JKU is staying. I see no foreseen problems.

 

wife and kid loves mine. We take the "jeep" instead of her SUV every time

 

I have a wife and 4 kids(12, 9, 7, 3 1/2), and a dog. Yes, 4, I installed a Little Seat in the rear area. I bought a rear hitch cargo basket and two trunks that the kids use for camps, two fit in the cargo rack. We take the Jeep on most trips, the main one is to my moms two hours away. We load the thing up with all our stuff, some fishing rods, swim float, my AR-15, my sons pellet gun, an ice cream maker, my tool box, and some other odds and ends. I was tight but everyone was comfortable. Had the hardtop on, with temps in the mid 90's. It's been close to a hundred the last few days and every one was fine. With the hardtop on you can position the air vents so the the air deflects off the hard top into the rear seats. Someone mentioned that kids are soft these days, that I very true. I rode 18 hours in the back of a 1977 bronco to Disney (Florida) one summer, no AC. We have very hot summers. The kids will be fine.

Our other is my wife's grand caravan. It's just as cramped in that as it is in my JKU and a hell of a lot more fun. it also will put the bass boat and jet ski in the lake too.

I drove a 99 grand Cherokee before and get about the same gas mileage. Space, not much difference, I can pack the JKU better, I can use the wheel wells and roll bar to stash stuff, the WJ had a lot better engine power with the 4.7L. That's about it.

The kids and I hate going in the van. I am a lit more comfortable driving the JKU than the van. The seat in the van is so uncomfortable.

I haven't done any mods but will be adding 33's soon, and a leveling kit or small 1.75" spacer lift. I want to install a Yakima rack system in the future to put luggage.

I wanted back in a real Jeep for years but due to seating for 4, wasn't able too. With the JKU I was. I'll drive one of these for the res of my life if I can. I tell people that if I win the lottery, I would still be driving my Jeep.....well with some extras like a HEMI!

 

Got my JKU last year before I found out the wife was pregnant. Glad I got the unlimited since trying to put a car seat in is alot easier and room in the back for the stroller. My son is 4 months now and we use my jeep more than my wife's Honda crv.