2009 Jeep Commander Review

Jeep off-road capability in size extra large.

Introduction

The Jeep Commander offers more capability over rugged terrain than most drivers will ever need. It can haul up to seven people and a lot of stuff just about anywhere it can fit. It's also surprisingly refined, a fact belied by its rugged, utilitarian looks. The Commander is surprisingly smooth and spry.

As suggested by its slab-sided styling, the Commander offers utility and a roomy, airy cabin. The rear seats are progressively stepped up, theater style, giving back-seat riders a view of the road. This feeling of airiness is enhanced by a pair of glass roof panels, though the third row is best reserved for 10-year-olds.

Utility comes in the form of a perfectly flat cargo floor when the rear two rows are folded down, providing 68.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Those in the front seats enjoy a comfortable cabin, much of which is shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Belied by the utilitarian styling, however, is the Commander's responsiveness and ride quality. It rides surprisingly well for a tall, seven-passenger SUV. On the highway, the Commander is a notably smooth and comfortable cruiser. It's reasonably quiet, allowing easy conversation, a pleasant surprise given the squared-off styling and all-terrain tires. The tall ride height and off-road capability make the Commander handle poorly, though. While not tippy, the Commander is prone to body lean in turns and heavy braking, and isn't as nimble as the latest crossover SUVs. But any self-respecting off-road enthusiast understands this going in.

A choice of V6 and V8 engines is available. The top-of-the-line 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is upgraded for 2009, gaining 27 horsepower and 14 pound-feet of torque. The Hemi makes the Commander downright quick and is best for those who need to tow trailers up to 7,400 pounds. The mid-line 4.7-liter V8 offers fairly responsive acceleration and a 6,500-pound towing capacity, making it a fine choice in the Commander.

Two-wheel-drive models are available, though that seems a curious choice because Jeep's highly capable four-wheel-drive systems are among the Commander's most compelling features. Buyers who don't need off-road capability might be better served by something else.

The 2009 Commander offers a new 9-inch rear DVD screen, auto-leveling xenon headlights, an iPod interface, and a new entertainment system called UConnect GPS with a 30 gigabyte hard drive.

Lineup

The 2009 Jeep Commander comes in three trim levels: Sport, Limited, and Overland. All are available with rear-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

Commander Sport 2WD ($29,380) 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. Standard on Sport are cloth upholstery, eight-way power driver?s seat with lumbar adjustment, air conditioning, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers, Sirius satellite radio, power windows, power heated mirrors, power locks, remote keyless entry, split-folding second-row seats, rear obstacle detection, trip computer, liftgate glass that opens by remote control, roof rails, and P245/65R17 all-terrain tires on cast aluminum wheels.

Commander Sport 4WD ($31,380) adds Quadra-Trac I, an automatic full-time all-wheel-drive system enhanced by electronic traction control. A 4.7-liter SOHC V8 is optional ($1,580), which can run on E85 ethanol or gasoline or any combination of the two, rated 305 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. This engine also comes with a five-speed automatic, but a more heavy-duty unit with a split second gear that provides a shorter ratio on kick-down than on up-shift.

Commander Limited 2WD ($38,885) comes standard with the 4.7-liter V8 and HD transmission, plus a wide array of comfort and convenience features, including leather-trimmed and heated first- and second-row seats; 4-way power front passenger seat; memory for the driver?s seat, mirrors and pedals; split-folding third-row seat; leather-wrapped steering wheel; dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air conditioning; 6-disc CD changer; Boston Acoustics speakers; power adjustable pedals; sunroof with two static glass panels; rain-sensitive wipers; automatic, self-dimming headlights; auto-dimming outside and rearview mirrors; universal garage door opener; security system; 115-volt power outlet; roof rack; fog lights; rear backup camera; and Jeep's UConnect GPS which includes a navigation system with a real-time traffic information, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, an iPod interface, a wireless cell phone link and a 30-gigabyte hard drive to hold music and picture files. Limited can be distinguished by its chromed grille and exterior chrome accents.

Limited 4WD ($41,505) 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; or neutral for towing); plus electronic traction control.

Optional on Limited is the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 ($820), which is upgraded for 2009. It now produces 357 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque. The Hemi features the fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS) technology, which shuts down four of the eight cylinders under light-load conditions.

Optional for the Sport and Limited is Quadra-Drive II ($795), Jeep's most sophisticated 4WD system. Three limited-slip differentials (one in each axle and one between the axles) are electronically controlled, sending torque to the wheels, or single wheel, with the best traction. The system also includes low-range gearing, traction control, hill-start assist and hill-descent control.

The top-of-the-line Overland ($42,645) comes standard with the Hemi and a trailer-tow group. It raises the interior plush factor with 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 (which is also leather-wrapped) and front door panels. Overland also adds a power liftgate, xenon headlights, a Class IV trailer hitch receiver and wiring harness, trailer sway control, and P245/60R18 all-terrain tires on chromed alloy wheels. Outside, Overland is distinguished by Platinum-look trim and a unique wire-lattice grille. Overland 4WD ($46,110) comes with Quadra-Drive II, plus skid plates and front tow hooks.

Options include saddle-brown upholstery ($150) for the Limited and a rear DVD entertainment system ($1720) that comes with Sirius Backseat TV and three child-oriented channels: Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. A Class III towing package is available with the V6 ($205), and a Class IV package ($280) with either V8. Many Limited and Overland features are offered as options on lower-cost models.

Safety features that come standard include head-protecting side-curtain air bags with a roll detection system to deploy in case of rollover and/or side impact. Front air bags are the multi-stage type that deploy in stages according to the severity of an impact. Torso-protecting front side airbags are not offered. Also standard are anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist, electronic stability control, a tire-pressure monitor and rear obstacle detection. All-wheel-drive models have traction control. Available are a rear backup camera, hill-start assist, hill-descent control and trailer sway control.

Walkaround

Based on the Grand Cherokee, the Jeep Commander is the second-largest civilian-production Jeep in history. (The largest was the J-120/J-130 Gladiator pickup of the 1960s and '70s.) The Commander is two inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than the Grand Cherokee. The Commander's stepped roofline makes for excellent headroom for the rear-seat passengers, and the stepped effect is camouflaged by a roof rack rail.

The Commander is instantly recognizable as a Jeep, thanks to liberal use of Jeep design cues, such as the seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel openings, and squared-off lines with flat surfaces. Exposed Allen-head bolts along the wheel openings and in the headlamp module are decorative, intended to create a technical look.

Its body sides are more vertical than those on most SUVs, consistent with Jeep design heritage. From the rear, the flat hatch helps define a boxy space that reminds us of the Hummer H2. Jeep literature points instead to boxier ancestors within the Jeep family, including the 1946-65 Station Wagon, the 1963-91 Wagoneer, and the 1984-01 Cherokee.

The roof rack 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. The assist handles are black with chrome inserts on Limited, and black with platinum inserts on the Overland. 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.

Jeep has reached deep into its heritage to revive the Overland name. First built in 1903, the Overland automobile was the earliest ancestor of the Willys. Willys played an instrumental role in the development and production of the World War II-era Jeep, but was also the first automaker to seriously envision a civilian market for a military-style utility vehicle. The Willys Jeep debuted in 1946 and had its name shortened to just-plain Jeep in the early 1960s. Although the Jeep brand has passed through several owners since then, its lineage remains unbroken.

Interior

The cockpit of the Jeep Commander has a cozy, cocoon-like feel to it. The seats are nicely shaped and padded, and the steering wheel, a four-spoke design with cruise control buttons at the thumb positions, has the substantial feel of leather and exposed stitching on higher line models. The Commander has a tangible sheltering quality that immediately appealed to us. It's the kind of vehicle we'd like to get into on a cold, windy day.

At the same time, 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 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.

Up front, occupants enjoy a commanding view of the road. Head and leg room are plentiful. From the driver's seat, the controls are all within easy reach and are logically placed. The materials are fair, but there are more hard plastic surfaces than top-line buyers might like. Commander offers good storage space, with a large center console, a decent-sized glove box with an open cubby above it, plenty of cupholders and other thoughtful cubby holes here and there.

The second-row seats are comfortable but are tight on leg room for taller passengers. The third-row seat seems designed for children in the eight- to 10-year-old range. To access the rear, the second-row seat flops forward, providing a reasonably easy path to the rearmost bench seat, which is split 50/50. Those of average size and weight should be able to make their way into the third row with minimal effort. Still, the Commander is only a few inches bigger than a standard Grand Cherokee, so back-row seating is tight for adults or for longer trips. The third row does have available rear heating and air conditioning controls, and nearby power points. In addition to providing comfort for children, the rear HVAC can be a relief to dogs on hot days.

Both the second- and third-row seats fold to create a perfectly flat load floor, and there is an L-shaped storage bin located behind the third-row seats. The arrangement means that there will always be a practical way to configure the Commander for either more passenger seating, or added cargo and gear. It strikes us as versatile, but many competitors offer more room. With the second- and third-row seats folded, the Commander has 68.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which is certainly a useful amount, but is considerably less than the Ford Explorer?s 85.8 cubic feet and the Chevrolet Traverse?s 117.9 cubic feet. The load floor height is also relatively high, at 36.2 inches, meaning it requires extra effort to lift cargo up and in.

Jeep?s UConnect GPS system comes with a navigation system with real-time traffic information and a hard drive that can hold thousands of songs. The rear-seat DVD package comes with Sirius Backseat TV. Its channels, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, are great for entertaining the kids, but there is a monthly fee. Two sets of headphones are provided, so front passengers can listen to Sirius radio while rear occupants watch the TV. With the car in Park, front passengers can watch TV on the navigation screen.

Driving Impression

The Jeep Commander is remarkably responsive around town for a seven-passenger SUV, a trait we noticed while driving them in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Its rack-and-pinion steering feels more precise than in many truck-based SUVs. Driving in rush-hour traffic reveals the Commander to be quicker, better balanced, and a little more conducive to aggressive driving than the average truck-based SUV, and far more so than its appearance suggests.

Still, the Commander is a tall and heavy and it suffers from copious body lean during heavy braking and in turns. When driving a Commander, you'll want to slow down more for turns than in most vehicles. Many car-based SUVs offer more stable carlike ride and handling characteristics than the Commander, and better fuel economy, too.

The Commander's 4.7-liter V8 engine delivers good throttle response around town. Punching the throttle signals the automatic to kick down into the lower of two second gear ratios to supply greater acceleration. Otherwise, a taller ratio with a smoother upshift is used. The effect is an energetic surge when you call for it, and a sense that you can control the transmission with your right foot. All in all, the 4.7-liter V8 is a fine all-around performer, and it can tow a healthy 6,500 pounds. Fuel economy estimates are 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway with 2WD and 13/18 with 4WD. The 4.7 offers the additional advantage of Flex-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capability, meaning it can run happily on gasoline or up to 85 percent ethanol (E85).

Those who plan to tow heavier loads, up to 7,400 pounds, should opt for the 5.7-liter V8. The changes made to the second generation of the reborn Hemi make it more powerful and responsive than ever. With it, the Commander pulls strongly from a stop and keeps accelerating as long as you have your foot in the throttle. It?s not quite as peppy as it is in the Grand Cherokee, but that?s because the Commander weighs, on average, about 300 pounds more. Thanks to the Multi-Displacement System, which shuts down four cylinders under light load conditions, the Hemi gets almost the same fuel economy as the 4.7-liter V8, with ratings of 13/19 mpg with 2WD and 13/17 with 4WD.

The 3.7-liter V6 uses the same electronic throttle control as the V8s, but its EPA ratings are only 15/20 mpg with 2WD and 14/19 with 4WD. Given the little gain in fuel economy and considerable power limitations, we would not recommend the V6.

On the highway, the Commander is a notably smooth and comfortable cruiser. Jeeps are not the most aerodynamic vehicles in the world, but wind and tire noise seem unremarkable, well within the range of the average SUV and something less than in bigger, square-bodied truck-based 4X4s. It is easy to maintain a conversation using normal tones of voice, and easy to imagine this would be a fine vehicle for cross-country touring.

The advanced Quadra-Drive II system and a 2.72:1 low-range gear gives the Commander excellent off-road capability, something we learned on rocky forest trails in the Pocono Mountains. This system supplies lots of traction, and the Commander has quick steering that makes it maneuverable in tight quarters.

The Goodyear Fortera tires, with their all-terrain tread, proved their worth as traction devices and suspension components, helping to soak up the lumps from rocks and logs, and maintaining a grip clearly enhanced by the Commander's electronic traction control.

Ground clearance is sufficient to negotiate rocky terrain, but challenging trails will create a few clangs and clunks when the underbody hits rocks and such. We found the Commander capable of going anywhere it will fit. The limitation would come if the Commander were used to cross steep, narrow gulches that call for extreme angles of departure because its longer body has more rear overhang than a Grand Cherokee. Nonetheless, for most people, there is probably more rough terrain capability built into the Commander than they will ever need or use.

Summary

The Jeep Commander offers four-wheel-drive capability for vacations, camping, and challenging winters. Its seven-passenger seating capability is complemented by seats that fold flat for big cargo capacity. With a wide range of engines, options and prices, the Commander is versatile enough to appeal to a broad array of buyers. On the road, it's quicker and quieter than its slab-sided styling suggests.

Off-road expert John Stewart filed the original report, with NewCarTestDrive.com editor Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles and correspondent Kirk Bell reporting from Chicago.

Model Lineup

Jeep Commander Sport 2WD ($29,380); Sport 4WD ($31,380): Limited 2WD ($38,885); Limited 4WD ($41,405); Overland 2WD ($42,645); Overland 4WD ($46,110).