All-New 2006 Jeep Commander Looks to Classic Styling to Woo Buyers

While it might be difficult to imagine hauling a driver and six occupants, plus their gear up a 30 percent grade with any sort of

The 4.7-litre will likely be the most popular engine option, with a large portion of Commanders also hitting the road with HEMI-power. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

motivating force if the base engine is chosen, it is important to remember that the 3.7-litre V6 would have been considered a top-tier performance model when vehicles that looked similar to the new Commander roamed the highways and byways. Now that V8s have taken over as the primary power sources in larger SUVs, however, the 4.7-litre will likely be the most popular option, with a large portion of Commanders also hitting the road with HEMI-power.

Two transmissions will be offered, the first being Chrysler Group's W5A580 5-speed automatic with AutoStick manual mode actuation fitted to the V6, and the second also a 5-speed unit, code-named 545RFE, and also featuring "driver interactive control," or AutoStick manual-mode. In this area, Chrysler Group is leaving its domestic truck rivals behind, all of which still attempt to lure a sophisticated

Jeep will be leaving its domestic rivals in the wake of its muddy path when it comes to off-road capability. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

set of well-educated new car buyers (that's you by the way) with 4-speed automatic transmissions with no do-it-yourself sequential shifting capabilities.

It also looks like Jeep will be leaving its domestic rivals in the wake of its muddy path when it comes to off-road capability, something expected of the "Trail Rated" brand - a designation that identifies Jeep's vehicles as having been designed to excel in a variety of challenging off-road conditions, such as overcoming limited traction, featuring enough ground clearance to scale obstacles, be easily maneuverable in tight areas, manage steep slopes no matter the approach angle, and ford streams and large "puddles". Knowing that the Commander is capable off-road in any configuration, the tough part will be making a choice as to which of its three four-wheel drive systems will best suit your needs, Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II.