The
Jeep Commander, which offers seating for either five or seven, was first
introduced in 2006. It is the first Jeep product to
offer three rows of seats. A choice of V6 and V8 engines is offered. Last year's base model has been re-named Commander Sport for 2007. The Commander
offers more capability over rugged terrain than most drivers will ever need,
benefits of its ground clearance and excellent traction. In most states,
the optional 4.7-liter V8 can operate on gasoline or up to 85 percent Ethanol.
The rear seats in the Commander are progressively stepped up, giving back-seat
riders a view of the road. Changes for 2007 include: new options and a new trim
level for the trail-rated SUV.
The ultra-luxury Commander Overland joined the
lineup, with more standard equipment, platinum-chrome exterior accents, and
wood, leather and suede inside. Other new features for 2007 include a rearview
camera, a power liftgate, a remote starter, and active turn signals. The
Commander's responsiveness and agility is its high point. It handles
surprisingly well for a tall, seven-passenger SUV. The Commander is built
on the Grand Cherokee's platform and shares the same wheelbase. Commanders
also get the same four-wheel-drive systems, suspension and powertrains as the
Grand Cherokee, including an independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion
steering.
Powering the Commander
Three
different engines are available. The 3.7-liter V-6
develops an estimated 210 horsepower, versus an estimated 235 hp for the
4.7-liter V-8. The 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 makes an estimated 330 hp. All models use
a five-speed automatic transmission. The 4.7-liter V8 should be fine for
routine around-town and highway driving purposes. The 5.7-liter Hemi works
best for those who plan to tow. The Hemi is rated to handle up to 7,400 pounds
vs. 6,500 pounds for the 4.7-liter V8. The 3.7-liter V6 uses the same electronic
throttle control as the V8s, but is EPA-rated only 16/20 mpg City/Highway (16/19
with 4WD), compared to 15/19 mpg for the 4.7-liter V8. In terms of horsepower,
the V6 and V8 engines are not that far apart, but the 4.7-liter V8 offers more
torque, important for towing, driving off road and when accelerating.
Trims - 2007
The 2007 Jeep Commander comes in three trim levels:
Sport, Limited, and Overland. All are available with 2WD or 4WD. Commander
Sport 2WD comes standard with a 3.7-liter SOHC V6, rated at 210 horsepower and
235 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission
designed to balance performance and fuel economy. Also standard on Sport are air
conditioning, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers, power windows, power heated
mirrors, front bucket seats with adjustable lumbar, ParkSense, liftgate glass
that flips open by remote control, all-terrain tires on 17-inch cast aluminum
wheels, tire-pressure monitor, a full-size spare tire, and cruise control with
switches on the steering wheel. Door handles, which were black last year, are
body color for '07. Commander Sport 4WD adds Quadra-Trac I, an automatic
full-time all-wheel-drive system enhanced by electronic traction control.
Limited 2WD comes standard with the 4.7-liter V8
and HD transmission, along with a wide array of comfort and convenience features,
including automatic climate control, leather upholstery with perforated inserts,
leather-wrapped steering wheel, Boston Acoustics sound system with six-CD
player, MP3 playback, and Sirius Satellite radio, power adjustable, heated front
seats, power adjustable pedals, rear-seat heat, ventilation, power sunroof;
remote starter, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, SmartBeam automatic
headlights, universal garage door opener, and a security system. Limited can be
distinguished by its chromed grille and exterior chrome accents. Limited
4WD has Quadra-Trac II, a full-time active four-wheel-drive system that includes
a two-speed transfer case (so you can select a lower gear range for crawling
through seriously rugged, muddy, or sandy terrain, plus
electronic traction control.
The new top-of-the-line Overland comes standard
with the Hemi and a trailer-tow group. It raises the interior plush factor with
suede-trimmed leather seats embroidered with the Overland logo, leather-wrapped
shift knob and grab handles, Berber floor mats, and woodgrain trim on the center
stack, console, steering wheel and front door panels. Overland also adds
conveniences, such as a power liftgate, ParkView reversing camera, GPS
navigation, UConnect hands-free communications, and a cargo net. Outside,
Overland is distinguished by Platinum-look trim and a unique wire-lattice
grille. Overland 4WD comes with Quadra-Drive II.
Driving a Jeep Commander
The 2007 Commander is a smooth and comfortable
highway cruiser. Wind and tire noise are surprisingly quiet, considering the
lack of aerodynamics on the Commander. With second- and third-row seats
raised, there's a significant blind spot at five o'clock. Acceleration is
adequate with the 3.7-liter V-6. The 4.7-liter V-8 provides improved passing
power, and under light load situations it offers nearly as much oomph as the
larger Hemi V-8. The Commander's rack-and-pinion steering feels more
precise than in many truck-based SUVs. Driving through the city, the Commander
is quicker, better balanced, and more aggressive than the average SUV, and far
more so than its appearance suggests.
Interior Features
The cabin of the 2007 Jeep Commander offers a
pleasant atmosphere; it is cozy and comfortable. The seats are
nicely shaped and padded, and the steering wheel has the substantial feel of
leather and exposed stitching. The Commander's raised roof permits use of
stadium seating; each row is higher than the one in front of it, giving second-
and third-row passengers enhanced forward visibility. The third-row
seat is best for children, but would fit an adult if necessary. To access the
rear, the second-row seat flops forward, providing a careful adult with a
reasonably easy path to the rearmost bench seat, which is split 50-50. The third
row does have available rear heating and air conditioning controls, and nearby
power points. Both the second- and third-row seats fold perfectly flat to
create a load floor, and there is an L-shaped storage bin located behind the
third-row seats. The Commander Sport has a diamond-plate console shifter
bezel, new for 2007.
Also new are color coordinated cup holders. Four round gauges exist on the instrument cluster, which is surrounded by a
two-tone dashboard. The Overland adds leather to the center floor
console, shifter knob, steering wheel and door grab handles. The lower center
stack and center floor console bezels are trimmed in wood. The Commander
offers a sense of spaciousness, overhead skylights add an airy feeling for
passengers in the second row. The skylights are fixed and don't open, but they
have pull-out shades to filter light and reduce heat. The load floor height is
relatively high, however, at 36.2 inches, meaning it requires extra effort to
lift cargo up and in.
Jeep Commander Design
The Jeep Commander is the second-largest
civilian-production Jeep in history. The Commander is two inches longer and more
three inches taller than the Grand Cherokee. Red Rock Crystal,
Light Graystone, Steel Blue Metallic, Jeep Green Metallic and Mineral Gray
Metallic are new color options for 2007. There's also a power liftgate for all
Commander models that's standard on the Overland and optional on other trims. The Commander features an upright windshield and rear window. Its angular
sheet metal and vertical side glass give it a classic Jeep profile and a rugged,
military look. Even the side mirrors are angular. The Commander's stepped
roofline makes headroom for the rear-seat passengers, but the stepped effect is
camouflaged by a roof rack rail.
The Commander Sport features body-colored door
handles, while Overland models add front tow hooks, platinum finish for the
bodyside panels and front, a wire lattice grille and outside mirrors that match
the body color. Its body sides are more vertical than those on most SUVs,
consistent with Jeep design heritage. The roof rack rail has three integrated
tie-downs on each side. On Limited and Overland, assist handles extend from the
roof rail down the back of the D-pillars, adding to the rugged, utilitarian
appearance of the vehicle. On top of the rear bumper is a
diamond-plate-texture step pad. The pad's nonskid surface is helpful when
stepping on the rear bumper to gain access to the roof of the vehicle for tying
down kayaks, bicycles and other gear.
Safety
Safety features on the 2007 Jeep Commander include
an electronic stability system, antilock brakes and all-speed traction control
are standard, and side-curtain air bags with a roll detection system. Available features include a tire pressure monitoring system, rear parking
assistance, a DVD-based navigation system, SmartBeam headlights, and
rain-sensing wipers. The Commander is the first Chrysler Group vehicle with
electronic roll mitigation, which deploys the optional side curtain airbags in
certain rollover and side-impact events.
The 2007 Jeep Commander is a versatile vehicle that is suitable for families
that need four-wheel-drive capability for whatever reason. On the road, it is far more agile, quick and quiet than it
looks. The Commander's fuel economy range is estimated at 20 mpg Hwy, and
16 mpg City. Its seven-passenger seating capability is complemented by
seats that fold flat for big cargo capacity. The Jeep Commander offers great
capability over rugged terrain, great ground clearance, and excellent traction. The new for 2007 ultra-luxury Commander Overland adds to the mix something for
those looking for extra amenities.