In fact, I was quite delighted by the Commander's overall congeniality. This vehicle delivers operational refinement beyond expectation,
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| The Commander Limited delivers operational refinement beyond expectation, which is a nice surprise. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
which is a nice surprise. Settling into its attractive, yet somewhat hard-shelled cabin finds everything close at hand. A non-obscured cluster of four analogue gauges greets the eye along with tasteful woodgrain trim, adding a touch class. The Commander's centre stack houses one of the most straightforward heat/ventilation/air conditioning setups in the business. The same can't necessarily be said for the combined audio/navigation system that came optional in my tester; intuitive it is not. Yet the audio system's high quality sound and the detailed navigational data are commendable.
Inserting the key and awakening the Commander begins the true test of this big-foot rig. Its 5.7-litre (345 cu in) HEMI V8 quietly announces its presence as the console-mounted shifter is smoothly pulled through the gates
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| The Commander Limited's 5.7-litre HEMI V8 quietly announces its presence as the console-mounted shifter is smoothly pulled through the gates to the Drive position. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
to the Drive position. As the SUV rolls effortlessly away, its gentlemanly nature becomes quickly evident. There is no engine growl or groan to speak of and no jarring from its SUV springs to unsettle the senses. Dipping into the throttle allows DaimlerChrysler's Multi-Displacement System (MDS) equipped V8 to emit a refined "burble" while authoritatively pushing the 2,345 kg (5,169 lb) machine forward. Right through to redline, this honey-smooth mill never runs short of breath while kicking out 330-horsepower and 375 foot-pounds of neck snapping torque.
According to DaimlerChrysler, MDS technology realizes up to a twenty percent increase in the big engine's fuel economy without a resulting loss in performance. This is achieved by seamlessly deactivating four of the engine's eight cylinders when power demands are below a predetermined threshold. I have now sampled cylinder-deactivation technology in Chrysler, GM and Honda products and have been impressed with the results. But even with MDS and a 5-speed automatic transmission, as opposed to the 4-speed autoboxes found in some competing brands, the HEMI-powered Commander likes to guzzle more than sip away at fuel.
