2006 Jeep Commander Preview

New 7-Occupant Jeep Looks to Classic Styling to Woo Buyers

If you had initially thought that Jeep's upcoming 7-passenger Commander would look anywhere near the same as the stylish concept

The Commander melds design cues from Jeep's recent past with a few styling details of the current generation Grand Cherokee. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

SUV that first made use of the name, think again. Rather, the Commander melds design cues from Jeep's recent past with a few styling details of the current generation Grand Cherokee, a move that will make many that miss the 1984 through 2001 model very happy.

"The Jeep Cherokee is an authentic, classic shape that is rooted in the public consciousness," said Donald A. Renkert, Senior Manager, Jeep Studio, Chrysler Group Product Design Office. "By reinterpreting that vehicle, and other classic Jeep vehicles of the past, the Jeep Commander elicited nods of recognition from consumers, even though it is a brand new vehicle. There is a sense of deja vu about the Jeep Commander that brings knowing smiles of satisfaction."

The new model also pays respects to an entire field of military-derived SUVs that helped popularize the segment. Popular vehicles in their time, such as the Isuzu Trooper,

"The Jeep Cherokee is an authentic, classic shape that is rooted in the public consciousness." (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 and LJ77, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, and most other late-'70s to mid-'80s sport utilities. As the name states the vehicles were utilitarian, living up to the middle initial in SUV, less concerned about styling as they were with accommodating as many people and as much cargo inside the least expensive body shell as possible, and slab-sided troop carriers were the order of the day.

Not everyone will appreciate the styling direction Jeep has taken with its largest offering, but the world's most recognized 4x4 brand feels that there are plenty who long for something similar to a model that wasn't only extremely popular on the road and in the bush, but by being so literally saved Jeep from possible extinction.