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

A nice feature for those in back is Jeep's Command-View skylight, a fixed sunroof mounted over the second row of seats,

The Commander should not only provide top-of-class handling but it will also be the first Chrysler Group vehicle to feature "electronic roll mitigation." (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

which incidentally comes complete with a sunshade if you're trying to keep infants out of harm's way.

Speaking of keeping occupants safe, the Commander should not only provide top-of-class handling, critical for avoiding potential accidents, but it will also be the first Chrysler Group vehicle to feature "electronic roll mitigation." This system integrates a variety of sensors throughout the SUV, which detect a potential rollover and immediately deploy a series of multistage airbags. It's a pre-collision system, similar in context to that developed and offered by Chrysler Group's Mercedes-Benz sibling.

Other crash avoidance features include standard Electronic Stability Program

The Commander will arrive in showrooms later this year as a 2006 model, and be priced higher than the Grand Cherokee. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

(ESP), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and an All-Speed Traction Control System (TCS). A tire pressure monitoring system is also included, plus the ParkSense rear parking assistance system. Other features that are not only safety related but also convenient include Uconnect hands-free communications, a DVD-based navigation system, SmartBeam headlamps and rain sensitive wipers.

The Commander will arrive in showrooms later this year as a 2006 model, and be priced higher than the Grand Cherokee. Jeep will release final prices and Canadian specifications closer to its launch date.

And good news for Vancouverites, thanks to a great deal of wheeling and dealing by DaimlerChrysler Canada, the Commander will miraculously make its Canadian debut at the Pacific International Auto Show next week (there must be more than one prototype), as one of many Canadian debuts not available to show goers in Toronto, Montreal or other major Canadian cities. The Commander, and others, make the Vancouver auto show the must-see event in Canada.