Jeep Commander wins U.K. 4x4 of the year award
The U.K. publication, 4x4 Magazine, has voted the Jeep Commander "4x4 Of The Year 2007". Apparently they've dropped the swimsuit competition. Seriously though, this is one ugly truck, but ugly can work for certain market segments and this is one of them. And who says a vehicle needs to look good to work right? Sure we'd prefer CX-7 styling, but when your truck is being flogged about the British byways and bogs, form takes a backseat to function and this new Commander apparently impressed.
Facing 53 contenders in seven different categories, the Jeep Commander showed its stuff and handily beat everything else in the field, literally. 4x4 Magazine is the only publication that gathers all of their candidates together in one place at one time. Every vehicle is tested in real world off-road situations.
The Jeep Commander not only won the Family SUV category, but also beat the other six category champions' scores (which ranged from 26 to 36 points) to win the overall honor with 39 points.
According to 4x4 editor John Carroll: "The new premium Jeep surprised us. The Commander reverts to the true core off-roader value of functionality over form. Look past the brash grille and see the stepped up roofline allowing 'theatre' seating and the way the roof rails fold over to give a grab-handle effect on either side of the tailgate. The squared-up shape maximizes interior space and practicality. Underneath, is the Quadra-Drive II system, so the Jeep has the genuine capability to back up its genuine off-roader looks."
4x4 OTY 2007 – Group winners
1- Jeep Commander 39 points
2- Range Rover 36 points
3- Hummer H3 35 points
4- Audi A6 Allroad 31 points
5- Daihatsu Terios 26 points
6- Nissan Navara 29 points
6- SsangYong Kyron 29 points
[Source: The Auto Channel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DPC car videos 9:42PM (9/10/2006)
I am sure the design and looks was not one of the categories it won.
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Alvin 4:50PM (9/10/2006)
Somehow, I tend to forget the UK even has anyplace where a 4x4 is necessary. In my mind's eye, it's all settled, either urban sprawl in London, or verdant green pastures in Wales, nothing that you'd want to MESS UP with a nasty 4x4...
Of course I know I'm wrong, it's just that you don't see the UK backcountry on TV.
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Jeff Banks 5:18PM (9/10/2006)
Nissan Navara and SsangYong Kyron tie for 29 points?
What the hell is a SsangYong Kyron anyway? Can you even buy those?
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Juan 5:50PM (9/10/2006)
Does anyone have a complete list of the scores for all the vehicles? I'd like to know how they scored the Wrangler.
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Simon 6:16PM (9/10/2006)
I hate to be nagative, but looking at the top contenders it is quite obviuos the bais was more towards curb-crawling than anything else.
Where are Land Rover Defender, Jeep Wrangler, Mercedes G-Wagen, Toyota Hi-Lux, Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, ...?
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a seriously ugly truck... 9:00PM (9/10/2006)
Anyone who has looked at an H2 and said that styling a square vehicle should be easy needs to see a Jeep Commander. It is unbelieveably ugly.
I mean, you know how stupid looking the GX470 is? This is well beyond that. It's bordering on Element ugly.
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Ethan 10:58AM (9/11/2006)
I think it looks good. I liked the original small Cherokee very much. I hate jellybean styling on trucks.
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Ken 9:09AM (9/11/2006)
I would not actually buy one of these, they are butt-ugly and rear visibility is almost non-existent when the 3rd row seats are upright. However, I did a "Ride and Drive" and the Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds earlier this year it the off-road capability was incredible. We drove them through hood-deep water, mud, climbed rocks, logs, railroad ties, etc. The Jeep never even broke a sweat. No moaning and groaning from the 4x4 system either. But I will say that three Liberty's had to be pulled from the flet because they broke, along with one Grand Cherokee. And two of the Commanders had the fender flares come loose.
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Greg A. 9:51AM (9/11/2006)
#4: "Where are Land Rover Defender, Jeep Wrangler, Mercedes G-Wagen, Toyota Hi-Lux, Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, ...?"
The seven vehicles above were the winners of the separate categories. Those vehicles were the only ones considered for the overall 4x4 of the year award. No doubt, the vehicles you listed were tested in the separate categories (with each one losing to one of the vehicles listed above).
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Dm 11:47AM (9/11/2006)
I actually got one for the wife a couple of weeks ago. Nice ride with good power from the Hemi. Can tell it's geared for off road as well as the gearing is very tourquey.
Looks like an H3 alot with the chrome grill and squared lines on the sides. Has more power than the H3 as well.
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Jake 10:21AM (9/11/2006)
I own one. I love it. It rides like a lux car. Quiet, comfortable, inexpensive for the equipment level, and the theatre seating is great for my wife when she's feeding the little ones on the road as she does not get car sick in the back like she does with my explorer. Its a look only a mother would love, but past the looks is a great midsized vehicle that can do it all.
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Greg A. 8:38PM (9/13/2006)
I don't think the Commander looks ugly. Does that mean I'm old? I think the current Grand Cherokee looks ugly, though.
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Bill 8:17AM (10/01/2006)
Just got mine. Traded in my '96 Cherokee with 210,000 miles. I guess it's like I heard someone say, "It's a Jeep thing. You wouldn't understand".
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Philip Farrar 6:27PM (9/22/2006)
I've driven a H3 and a commander. I bought the commander. It's just a better all around vehicle. The H3 was fun to drive but the commander has much better visibility, and even the mid sized 8 delivers when you need it. I get looks every where I drive it. I haven't been disapointed yet. It's the first Jeep besides the Wrangler that actually looks like a Jeep should, that Jeep hs built in a long time. Go ugly duckling go!
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Ingrid 10:36AM (5/14/2007)
Ok, I bought the ugly duckling........AND I LOVE IT!
This is a Jeep thing people, you have heard it, read it, now believe it, we love it!!
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steph2378 5:16PM (9/14/2007)
I think the Jeep Commander is awesome, especially in black clear coat. Who the hell wants some candy-butt, round-edged, Toyota-boring looking suburb box? This is the way SUVs should look.
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