Click here for a road test of the 2006 Jeep Commander.

Owning a Jeep has always meant being different. Throughout its long history, the Jeep brand has never tried to be everything to everyone--its reputation had rested solidly on rugged utility. Yet being an off-road alternative in an increasingly on-road market makes for dwindling market share.

Enter Commander.

Offering seven-passenger capacity, a user-friendly all-wheel-drive system, and creature comforts like power-adjustable pedals, rear-seat DVD player, and power tailgate, Commander finally gives Jeep a vehicle that competes on even terms with class leaders Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander.

The 2006 Jeep Commander (top) is the first seven-passenger vehicle ever sold by the venerable off-road make. The styling of the Commander is reminiscent of the 1963 Jeep Wagoneer (bottom).

A Jeep, First and Foremost
Commander styling is intended to evoke the rugged history of Jeep. You'll notice few rounded corners and detect a bevy of Jeep trademark styling cues. At the front is Jeep's familiar seven-slat grille and squared-off fender lines. Wheel wells have recognizable trapezoidal cutouts, and the greenhouse has upright front and side glass that echoes the Wagoneer from Jeep's past.

Unlike the streamlined Grand Cherokee upon which it is based, the boxy Commander pays homage to Jeeps of the past. But that refrigerator-on-wheels look makes for a roomy and practical interior. Its tall design also makes room for an additional row of seats.

Though the Commander is only two inches longer than Grand Cherokee, seating rows are stacked in theater fashion. This allows for more leg room and better sight lines for rear-seat passengers. Still, even Jeep officials admit that the smallish 3rd-row seat is just for kids.

Keeping up with the Jones'
Contrary to what many people think, SUVs don't have to be rugged to be popular. The best-selling midsize SUV is the Ford Explorer, followed closely by the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Neither of those vehicles has won much praise from off-road magazines. Following the Ford and Chevy entry are two light-duty SUVs that don't offer low-range gearing for off-road driving--the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

No, today's SUV owners want creature comforts wrapped in a vehicle with an off-road disposition. As a result, many of today's SUVs aren't intended for off-road use, and come with a warning from the manufacturer regarding that fact.

Commander plays both sides of the street. It mates the rugged utility of a real SUV with some of the latest and greatest creature comforts designed to coddle passengers. Of course, the Commander offers heated leather seats, but also available are skylights above the 2nd-row passengers' heads, a premium audio system with Boston Acoustics speakers and MP3 playback, Sirius satellite radio, a navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment, and a hands-free Bluetooth cell phone link.

Many SUV owners use their vehicles as if they were a minivan on steroids--transporting their kids to and from school, sporting events, and band practice. As a result, safety has become an SUV hot-button issue.

Jeep's new Commander is loaded with all of the safety, comfort, and convenience features luxury-SUV buyers have come to expect. In addition, the three seating rows increase passenger capacity to seven. Click on images to enlarge.

The Commander offers all of the latest safety features, including dual front airbags, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. The curtain side airbags protect all three rows and offer rollover protection. Other safety features include stability control, brake assist, antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitoring, and park assist.

Going Anywhere
Commander offers three different engines designed to meet the varying needs of its customer base. Standard is a 3.7-liter V6. It makes 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. Optional are two V8 engines. The first is a 4.7-liter with 230 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. The second is Chrysler Corporation's Hemi. It displaces 5.7-liters and makes 330 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. The Hemi also incorporates an ingenious cylinder-deactivation system that lets the engine run on four cylinders when cruising or decelerating to increase fuel economy.

Towing capacity is another Commander strength. When properly equipped with the Hemi and Trailer Tow Group, this new Jeep can tow up to 7200 lb. Even the V6 models offer 3500-lb towing capacity, more than enough to pull a small trailer and on par with most minivans.

Being a Jeep means the Commander can go places other SUVs only pretend to tread. Four-wheel-drive Commanders come with one of three systems all designed to meet the different needs of its intended customer base.

For drivers who spend their time going to the mall and hauling kids and groceries, Jeep offers an all-wheel-drive system like one that is found on most SUVs today. Available only with the V6, it's called Quadra-Trac I and offers the convenience of a full-time system with no switches or levers. Included with Quadra-Trac I is the Brake Traction Control System (BTCS). This system utilizes the antilock-brake wheel-speed sensors to detect wheel slip and can apply braking pressure to individual wheels to stop slippage.

For those who are a little more adventurous, there's Quadra-Trac II. It is available only with the 4.7-liter V8. This system adds a low-range transfer case for serious off-road driving. In addition, it incorporates the BCTS utilized in the all-wheel-drive system.

With three different 4WD systems, the Commander follows in a long tradition of off-road ready Jeep vehicles.

Finally, for the off-road diehard, there is Quadra-Drive II. According to company officials, this is the most advanced four-wheel-drive system ever offered in a Jeep, delivering "best-in-class tractive performance." Quadra-Drive II is only available with the Hemi V8 and, like Quadra-Trac II, it is a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a 2-speed transfer case. However, it adds electronically locking front and rear differentials and incorporates BTCS. In theory, the system is designed to send 100% of the engine's power to the wheel(s) with the most traction.

For those who live south of the Mason-Dixon line, Jeep offers 2WD Commanders will all engines.

Commander-in-Chief?
The real question Commander presents is, "Can it compete in the crowded midsize SUV marketplace?" The answer isn't as simple as "yes" or "no." Commander has all of the right tools: V6 and V8 engines, abundant safety and convenience features, seven-passenger capacity, and towing ability. But sometimes, it takes more than "the right stuff" to stand out.

That's where Jeep execs play Commander's trump card--heritage. For many consumers, owning a Jeep says something. It means you are connected to the outdoors, respectful of history, and, most of all, rugged. Given the plethora Johnny-come-lately midsize SUVs, a little bit of history might go a long way.

SpecificationsComparison

	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot	Jeep Commander	Toyota Highlander
Wheelbase, in.	113.7	106.3	109.5	106.9
Overall Length, in.	193.4	188.0	188.5	184.6
Overall Width, in.	73.7	77.3	74.8	71.9
Overall Height, in.	72.8	70.6	71.9	66.1
Base Curb Weight, lb.	4615	4453	4783	3750
Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	85.8	90.3	68.7	80.6
Standard Payload, lb.	1460 (V6) 1450 (V6)	NA	1,620 (2WD V6) 1,490 (2WD 4.7 V8) 1,270 (2WD 5.7 V8)	1,789 (2WD I4) 1,612 (2WD I4) 1,711 (2WD V6) 1,425 (4WD V8)
Fuel Capacity, gals.	22.5	20.4	20.5	19.1
Seating Capacity	7.0	8	7	7
Front Head Room, in.	39.8	41.9	42.1	40.0
Max. Front Leg room, in.	42.4	41.4	41.7	40.7
Rear Head Room, in.	38.7	40.9	40.2	39.8
Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.9	37.4	36.1	36.4
EPA Fuel Economy, city/highway mpg	15/20 (4WD V6) 14/20 (4WD V8)	17/22 (4WD)	16/19 (4WD V6) 15/19 (4WD 4.7 V8) 14/18 (4WD 5.7 V8)	21/25 (4WD I4) 18/24 (4WD V6) 31/27 (4WD Hybrid)
Base Price Range	$26,530- $35,940	$26,995- $35,245	$27,290- $38,205	$24,530- $39,290