Does it got a HEMI innit? |
| (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
The base Commander comes standard with a 210-horsepower, 3.7-litre vee-six and the Quadra-Trac I Full-Time 4WD System. A five-speed automatic transmission is the norm for all Commanders. A 235-h.p., 4.7-litre vee-eight is optional on the base, but you'll need to go to the pricier Limited model even to find the 330-h.p., 5.7-litre Hemi vee-eight on the options list. Unless you need the Hemi's 363 additional kilograms of towing capacity, on the road, the vee-six performs most suburban-shuttling duties as well as the bigger mills. There's not much difference between the official fuel consumption ratings, but the aggressive sounds and abundance of torque (i.e. punch off the line) that comes standard in a Hemi-equipped Commander Limited quickly becomes addictive with actual fuel consumption being the victim. If you don't need muscle-car acceleration from your seven-seat SUV, then the base with its vee-six has other advantages, primarily in the handling department.
Whoa, "handling" and "SUV" in the same sentence? |
| (Photo: John LeBlanc, straight-six.com) |
Don't act so surprised. The Grand Cherokee that the Commander is based upon is designed around a rigid unibody and has always been considered one of the more car like midsize SUVs when it comes to ride and handling. The base Commander is similarly talented, if not matching the Grand Cherokee's relatively athletic on-the-road capabilities. Compared to the loaded-to-the-gills Commander Limited I recently drove, the base model floated less over road undulations, rolled less in tight corners, and generally felt tighter in all of its body movements. Even the steering felt leaner and meaner. Every Commander comes with electronic stability control, antilock brakes with BrakeAssist, and side curtain airbags that cover all three rows in case you drive beyond your own--let the SUV's--limits. Because my test car didn't have the optional off-road package, therefore not earning Jeep's Trail Rated badge of honour that the Limited I drove came with, I thought that was the main reason why the base model felt so much better to drive. But according to Jeep, all Commanders, Trail Rated or not, are sprung with common ride frequencies. Shock valvings are also common, so any ride difference I noticed could be squarely blamed on the extra weight that the Limited was carrying.
So if I like to drive, get the Commander with the six. Got it. But what if I'm looking for the admittedly rare combination of seven seats and extreme off-road capabilities outside of the Jeep brand? |
| (Photo: John LeBlanc, straight-six.com) |
Honda's Pilot is the on-road champ, but the Honda would probably break a nail if taken where the Jeep can go off-road. However, the exemplary ride and handling qualities from the donour Jeep Grand Cherokee means the Commander would still be the best choice over a Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango or the Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT. The Explorer has more of a luxury car ride, and is quieter, but it can't match the Jeep for overall ride and handling qualities.
