Back-to-school season is right around the corner, and Woodland families are gearing up for early mornings, packed schedules, and plenty of carpooling. Whether you are loading up backpacks or shuttling kids to soccer practice after school, having the right family vehicle makes all the difference. At Hoblit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Woodland, three models stand out for back-to-school hauling, and they solve the problem in genuinely different ways.
The Chrysler Pacifica: Maximum Space and Flexibility
When it comes to family hauling in Woodland, the Chrysler Pacifica does things no SUV can. Seating for up to eight occupants means no child gets left behind, even when you are carpooling half the soccer team.
The feature that sets it apart is Stow 'n Go seating, which folds both the second and third rows flat into the floor in seconds. That is the distinction worth understanding: in most three-row SUVs, folding the seats leaves a raised, uneven load floor. In the Pacifica, the seats disappear entirely, leaving a flat surface. If you have ever tried to fit a bookshelf, a bike, or a science fair display into an SUV, the difference is obvious the first time you use it. Sliding doors help too, since a kid can climb in without you worrying about a door swinging into the car parked alongside in a school lot.
Technology is well suited to family life. The Uconnect 5 system runs on a 10.1-inch touchscreen, available Uconnect Theater adds rear seatback screens to keep kids occupied on longer trips, and available Wi-Fi hotspot capability means everyone can stay connected. LED headlamps provide strong visibility for those early morning commutes before sunrise.
The Dodge Durango: A Family SUV With Real Muscle
If you prefer a traditional sport utility vehicle over a minivan, the Durango is the three-row SUV that leans hardest into power, and for 2026 it leans harder still.
The big news is that the HEMI is back across the lineup. The R/T 392 is now available with the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 producing 475 maximum horsepower, joining the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 at 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft, the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI in the SRT Hellcat at 710 horsepower, and the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 at 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. All pair with an eight-speed automatic, with all-wheel drive available. Pricing starts at $38,995 for the GT with rear-wheel drive, and there is a new America250 Edition offered across several GT and GT Plus trims for buyers who want a distinct appearance package without moving up to an SRT.
Towing is where the Durango genuinely separates itself from crossover-based rivals, and it is worth knowing how the tiers work before you buy. Dodge rates a best-in-class available towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds, but that figure requires a HEMI V8 with the Tow 'n Go package. The 5.7-liter HEMI without Tow 'n Go is rated at 7,200 pounds, and the standard V6 at 6,200 pounds. All three cover real family towing, but if you are planning around a specific trailer, spec the V8 and the package rather than assuming the headline number.
The cabin is spacious and practical, with a cargo area that takes sports bags, instrument cases, and science fair projects without complaint. Three rows seat up to seven occupants, and Uconnect 5 with a 10.1-inch touchscreen handles the technology. The V6 is EPA-rated at 18 city, 25 highway, and 20 combined, and the V8 configurations return lower figures, which is the tradeoff for the power. For Woodland drivers who want a family vehicle with genuine muscle, the Durango is nearly alone in the segment.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee: Refined, Capable, and Updated for 2026
The Grand Cherokee has long been popular with families across Woodland and Sacramento, and it arrives meaningfully updated for 2026. It blends a well-finished interior, driver assistance technology, and genuine off-road capability in a package that works for both school pickup and weekend trail runs.
Two 2026 changes are worth knowing. A 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen is now standard across the lineup, replacing the smaller displays used previously. And there is a new engine: the 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo produces 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft, a gain of 31 horsepower and 72 lb-ft over the V6, and it is the standard engine from Laredo Altitude up through Summit. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 continues on the Laredo and Laredo X. Towing is rated up to 6,200 pounds.
Families will appreciate the generous second-row legroom, quality seating materials, and a quiet cabin that makes carpool conversations far more pleasant. If you need a third row, the Grand Cherokee L extends the platform with genuine three-row seating, which makes it the better answer for larger Woodland households.
Driver assistance features including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring add real confidence during busy school zone hours. Higher trims can also be equipped with a 360-degree camera and a Night Vision system, which is worth considering if your evening drive includes unlit stretches or deer country outside town.
Why Woodland Families Choose Hoblit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Hoblit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has been a trusted community dealer right here in Woodland for years. Drivers across Yolo County and the greater Sacramento area come to us for our no-pressure approach, competitive pricing, and knowledgeable staff who understand what Northern California families actually need in a vehicle.
We carry new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram models, so you can compare the Pacifica, Durango, and Grand Cherokee side by side on our lot, which is the fastest way to settle the minivan-versus-SUV question. We also offer financing options and current manufacturer incentives that can make back-to-school vehicle shopping more affordable than you might expect, though offers change frequently, so ask us what is active on the vehicle you want.
Whether you are buying for the first time or upgrading your current family hauler, our team is here to help you find the right vehicle before the school bell rings. Visit us at 333 Main Street, Woodland, California 95695, call 530-662-4667, or check our current new vehicle specials online.