According to U.S. EPA ratings, the thirsty Jeep only manages a fuel economy rating of 16.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and
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| According to U.S. EPA ratings, the thirsty Jeep only manages a fuel economy rating of 16.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 13 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
13 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway. The soon to be introduced 2007 Chevy Tahoe, with a slightly less powerful V8 sharing GM's version of cylinder-deactivation returns an EPA fuel economy rating of 15.6 litres and 11.2 litres respectively through a 4-speed autobox. In fairness though, the heavier, larger Tahoe doesn't burst forward with the same gusto that the Commander is capable of.
When not bursting aggressively forward, the Commander ensconces its occupants in serenity and comfort. Engine harmonics are eerily absent while road and wind noise are both minimally invasive. Perhaps, though, the real pleasure in the Commander is its ride. Given its "Trail Rated" Jeep designation, my tester did a remarkable job of absorbing the bumps of daily driving without feeling excessively mushy or ill-handling. Some body float was evident when bounding over humps and bumps, but otherwise the Commander is a very stable machine on the highway and off. Based on a well documented history surrounding the Commander Limited's full-time, Quadra-Drive II four wheel-drive system, combined with DaimlerChrysler's Electronic Stability Program (ESP), there's little to doubt about the its mountain goat-like 4x4 abilities.
Pulling up a small "T-bar" lever mounted on the centre console engages low-range gearing and locks the Commander's centre differential, securing
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| Given its "Trail Rated" Jeep designation, my tester did a remarkable job of absorbing the bumps of daily driving without feeling excessively mushy or ill-handling. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
maximum traction and engine torque. When an off-road experience is at its "peak", so to speak, strong brakes and a comprehensive array of safety and protection equipment is helpful in getting everyone safely back down the other side of the mountain. Restraining the almighty Commander is a full set of antilock disc brakes bolstered with Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) to ensure the binders work as effectively as possible, even when the driver doesn't react as quickly as he or she needs to in order to avoid a potential accident. Nonetheless, should over-indulgence lead to impact, the Commander is well suited to protect its occupants with dual-stage frontal airbags and full length, side head curtain airbags with roll over inflation. This important assortment of passive safety devices is standard equipment, as is ParkSense, a rear parking audible warning system that actually is said to come in as handy while off-road as it does in driveways and parking lots, and given the poor rearward visibility when all three rows of seats are upright, I found this to be a useful tool.
