Jeep Commander 2006 Review

First Drive

2006 Jeep Commander

The new Commander arrives Down Under with Jeep's legendary off-road capability, a useful array of engine options and a bulging specification list in its arsenal. What's more, keen pricing should get it into the top row of many shopping lists.

Built on the same platform as the existing Grand Cherokee, the Commander is scant millimetres bigger in each direction and offers exactly that same air-resistance figure (cd of 0.41) as its non-identical twin -- despite a brusque, square profile.
So square in fact, that a comparison with America's favourite army vehicle, the Hummer, is inevitable -- although Chrysler-Jeep staffers are quick to point out that the Hummer was in fact styled on a much earlier Jeep.

Jeep is now in its 65th year and the brand represents 65 per cent of Chrysler sales. Hoping that the latest addition to the range will sell at the rate of 50 to 60 units per month, DaimlerChrysler Australia believes that the revamped Jeep line-up can return to the halcyon days of 1997, when about 10,000 Jeeps found new owners. Of those 50 to 60 Commanders, up to 80 per cent are expected to be diesel-powered.

Smallest of the three engines -- in capacity at least -- the Mercedes-sourced three-litre V6 Common-rail turbo diesel offers world class power and economy: 160kW, 510Nm and 10.5 l/100km. A thoroughly modern aluminium engine, the diesel doesn't smell, clatter or smoke and is electronically limited to an entirely achievable 190 km/h.

The petrol-burning 4.7 litre V8 is carried over from the Grand Cherokee with minor tweaks to improve fuel economy. The cast-iron engine delivers 170kW, 410Nm and a similar speed limiter, but punishes at the pump with a claimed 15.5 l/100km.

Both Diesel V6 and petrol V8 are available in Commander and up-spec Commander Limited versions.

Available only in Limited form, top of the range is the 5.7 litre V8 Hemi engine, resurrected for use in Chrysler's  more sporting models -- it will soon star, in 6.1 litre form, in the Commander SRT8, due here in October and said to deliver Porsche Cayenne-like performance. As it is, the 5.7 litre version puts out a respectable 240kW, 500Nm and 208km/h. Fuel consumption averages out at 16 l/100km, thanks to the Multi-Displacement System that shuts down four cylinders while cruising and which improves consumption by around 15 percent.

Transmission is always a five-speed automatic, with manual over-ride gear selection; as would be expected from Jeep, full-time four-wheel drive with selectable low-range is standard. If the 4.7 litre's Quadra-Trac II detects wheel slippage, anything up to all the available torque can be directed to the axle which has traction. However, the alternative, Quadra-Drive II, fitted to the diesel and all Limited variants, can direct the power to an individual wheel.

Electronic Stability (ESP) is standard, as are ABS brakes, traction control and an electronic rollover mitigation system. Alloy 17” wheels carry a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

The unashamedly macho vehicle can be had in either black or white -- other colours, such as light or dark khaki, grey, magnesium, silver or midnight blue, all attract a $370 premium. In spite of Australian climatic conditions, it is expected that black will comfortably be the most popular choice, invariably fitted with window tinting. Reinforcing the military impression, the interior trim is either grey or khaki -- although the up-market Limited version can also have saddle brown or light greystone interior. The cliff-like dash is highlighted with 16 faux allen-screws for a mechanistic look, while the wrinkle-black upper surface looks like a potential dust-trap. Dual front air-bags are matched by full-length curtain air-bags on both sides.

The fold-down third row of seats fits into the luggage compartment at the very rear of the vehicle -- filling these seats means virtually no luggage space (212 litres) remains and access to the forward-facing third row requires the middle-row seats be folded out of the way. Folding the third row makes 1028 litres of luggage space available, while folding up the second row releases 1940 litres of cargo-space.

While the second and third rows are each about 120mm higher than the seats in front for better visibility, passengers at the very rear of the vehicle will need to be of extremely restricted size, so limited is the leg-space available to them. However, they do get a separate and independent heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

Over the generous specification of the two regular models, the Limited variants get leather upholstery, three-way memories on the electric seats and mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, park-assist sensors front and rear, heated front seats, auto-dimming mirrors, an uprated sound system and chrome exterior trim.

Starting at $54,990 for the basic 4.7 V8 and $59,990 for the diesel, the Limited-only 5.7-litre V8 Hemi retails at $71,990.

Comfortable and confidence-inspiring on-road ability and improved passenger-carrying capacity, combined with new macho styling and Jeep's legendary off-road prowess, will make the new Commander a serious contender, in the Outback -- and inner suburbs.