2006 JEEP COMMANDER
Using the Grand Cherokee platform and mechanical components, engineers have developed the slightly longer Commander. It differs from the Grand Cherokee in that it has a third row of seats. The Commander comes in Base and Limited trims and with a choice of engines—a 4.7-litre V6, a 4.-litre V8, and a 5.7-litre V8 HEMI.
Interior and trunk
Despite its height, the Commander is easy to get into. The front seats are very comfortable, and driver’s can obtain a good driving position. The power- adjustable brake and accelerator pedals are practical but should only be adjustable when the vehicle is in PARK.
The back seat accommodates two adults comfortably. Legroom and headroom are generous. The middle seat splits 40/20/40 and folds down flat, taking the two head restraints with it. Getting into the rear seat is a challenge, making it unsuitable for anyone other than small children. The 50/50 rear seatback folds flat.
The liftgate opens wide to reveal an almost complete lack of storage space— if all the seats are up. Fold down the last row and storage rises from a chintzy 212 litres to a spacious 1,028. With both rear seats down, storage space goes up once again, to a full 1,940 litres.
Photo: Jeep Convenience and safety
The interior is well finished in good-quality materials. Soundproofing is generally good, but there is some occasional wind noise. There are also a number of handy storage areas.
The instruments and hand controls are well placed and accessible; but unfortunately the cruise-control buttons on the steering wheel are not lit at night. The heater is very powerful. With the exception of three holes on either side, the side rails of the roof are closed, which is rather impractical. As well, a vehicle in this price range should have the radio antenna integrated into the windshield, instead of outside the vehicle.
As far as safety is concerned, the Commander is equipped with two front airbags, two curtain airbags, traction control, six head restraints—although it seats seven—and four disc brakes with ABS. Unfortunately, the head restraints are not high enough for taller passengers. Visibility is reduced due to the wide roof pillars in the front, and there is almost no visibility to the back when the rear bench is in the upright position. In addition, the middle- seat head restraints create big blind spots when raised. What’s more, the headlights are not powerful enough.
Engine and transmission
It goes without saying that the Commander, with its 330 horses and 375 pounds of torque, delivers swift acceleration and pickup. The engine snaps to effortlessly, thanks to the car’s generous torque. Step on the gas and the noise of the engine takes us right back to the muscle-car era. Unfortunately, the accelerator is jerky, making for a disagreeable ride at the best of times, but particularly so in such a powerful vehicle. Gas consumption is also a drawback due to the powertrain, even when four cylinders are deactivated while cruising at steady speed, in moderate acceleration or when climbing a slight slope. According to the manufacturer, cylinder deactivation can reduce gas consumption can drop 12% to 15%. High gas consumption—19 litres/100 km—coupled with a small gas tank—only 78 litres—makes for short trips between fillups.
The well-geared five-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly at all times. Two gear ratios in second makes shifting smooth and assists the engine when towing. The transfer case is easy to use. The Quadra-Drive ll system automatically splits torque 48%-52% front-to-rear but can direct 100% of available torque to any wheel. Altogether, the efficiency of the system is impressive.
On the road
The well-tuned suspension—firm enough without compromising comfort— gives a very smooth ride with no harshness, even on bumpy roads. Wheel travel is 33 cm which, combined with a ground clearance of 20.3 cm under the rear differential, allows the Commander to navigate even the most difficult terrain. In its class, the Commander offers a surprisingly high calibre of handling.
The power steering is very well weighted, stable, precise, and relatively quick. On the other hand, it was too slow to our liking in returning to center following a sharp turn at low speed. It transfers a bit of road feel and has a short turn radius. The brakes should be more powerful, but they displayed good fade resistance after a succession of emergency stops.
Our inspection at a CAA-Quebec Technical Inspection Centre revealed a generally well-built vehicle. Several exceptions include no protection against corrosion on the sturdy underbody and a large hole under the front bumper where a foreign object could enter and subsequently damage the air conditioning condenser. But, we do give the Commander a high mark for well-protected heating components in the rear.
Conclusion
In terms of comfort, choice of drivetrains, performance on the road, off-road capability, and quality of construction, the Commander is an appealing vehicle. On the other hand, it is not really suitable for seven passengers as the rear seat can only comfortably hold small children. As its dimensions are hardly greater than the Jeep Cherokee’s, we wonder if the Commander is really unique in its usefulness.
PROS: Comfort, powerful HEMI engine, smooth transmission, road-holding, quality ride, and sturdy construction.
CONS: Visibility, high fuel consumption (HEMI), inadequate third-row bench, some unlit controls, steering wheel slow to return to centre at low speeds, and weak headlights.
2006 JEEP COMMANDER
Engine: 12-valve, 3.7-litre V6; 16-valve, 4.7-litre V8; 16-valve, 5.7-litre V8 Horsepower: 210 hp @ 5,200 rpm; 235 hp @ 4,500 rpm; 330 hp @ 5,000 rpm Torque: 235 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm; 305 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm; 375 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm Transmission: 5-speed automatic Suspension: independent/solid axle Brakes: 4-wheel disc Length: 478.8 cm Width: 226.1 cm Height: 182.6 cm Wheelbase: 278.1 cm Weight: 2,309 kg Tires: P245/65R17 Towing capacity: 3,266 kg Air bags: dual front, dual side curtain
Fuel consumption with V8 HEMI engine: Transport Canada rating: City: 16.5 L/100 km (17 mpg) Highway: 11.2 L/100 km (25 mpg) Test result: 19 L/100 (15 mpg) Test temperature: -14oC to 3oC
Fuel tank capacity: 78 litres
Fuel requirement: regular gasoline
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h: 7.6 seconds 60-100 km/h: 5.5 seconds
Competition: Chevrolet Trailblazer, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Honda Pilot, Hummer H3, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner
Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/unlimited kilometrage Perforation damage: 5 years/160,000 km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter and electronic control module)
Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $1,165 (with parking assist) Brake pads: $250 Front fender: $252 Front brake disk: $85 Muffler: $588
Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $1,110 to $1,903
Price according to trim line: Base: $40,995 Limited: $51,195
Main options: Option packages: from $240 to $1,405 4.7-litre engine: $1,240 (Base) HEMI: $1,395 (Limited) Navigation system: $2,440 (Limited) Rear air conditioning: $575 DVD system: $1,190 (Limited)
Price as tested: $55,370
Freight and preparation: $1,050
Dealers: Quebec: 156 Canada: 594
® CAA-Quebec, November 2005. All rights reserved.