Topic: CD Article: 2006 Jeep Commander V6

[Autos_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

Now the largest Jeep you can buy, the seven-passenger Jeep Commander is nevertheless closer in size to a Chevrolet Trailblazer than a Chevy Tahoe, says Editor Greg Wilson.  With the base V6 engine "performance is adequate for commuting duties, but buyers who wish to tow recreational trailers may want to opt for either of the optional V8 engines," he says.  Highlights include "a comfortable ride", "quiet cabin" and "above-average safety features", but the third-row seat is "uncomfortable".     More...

[The Mighty Duck]

Logic of releasing this vehicle with today's gas prices and (slowly) changing trends?  Debatable.

Does that make the Jeep Commander a bad vehicle?  No.  Seems like a nice package, and a good choice in the seven-passenger SUV market.

[avtoller]

Great for driving on the ocean bed as per their commercial. 

[Mitlov]

Logic of releasing this vehicle with today's gas prices and (slowly) changing trends?  Debatable.

Does that make the Jeep Commander a bad vehicle?  No.  Seems like a nice package, and a good choice in the seven-passenger SUV market.

It's fuel economy isn't really that bad for an SUV.  The Commander V6 4x4 gets the same fuel economy as the much-smaller Toyota FJ Cruiser (4x4 manual).  Even with a V8, it's no less fuel-efficient than a teeny little Wrangler with the inline-six.  (Note: US EPA fuel economy numbers used for comparison purposes).

http://www.jeep.com/en/performance/#mpg_commander

[jww]

Is the Commander available with the Chrysler Hemi with cylinder shut-off? Wouldn't that help with mileage? Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree on this.

I don't mind the Commander, but I am just not sure where big SUVs sit in the grand scheme of things. There are vey few vehicles on the planet that have the oppulence of a Land Rover - a loaded LR3 or Ranger Rover Sport are as good inside as an Audi A6 or A8 in terms of quality of materials and comfort. Can a loaded Commander be as good as one of those?  Does it matter?

[Bullet Blue]

Jeep has rained in with the perfect solution to a question that no one asked. I've only seen one to date, and they don't look any better in person.

[inco]

   Flogging the Jeep name with more models is not the way to build a following.  Overkill and short on space too. Pity the people who have to go to that rearmost seat. They could file for disability benefits afterwards.

[tortoise]

I think the Jeep designers were big Simpsons fans.  If there was ever a vehicle to win the Canyonero award, this is it.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The author mentions pricing was lower before, but his sticker was higher... leading him to believe Jeep LOWERED pricing on the model??? Doesn't make sense.

[prufrock]

We went and looked at this vehicle as we were shopping for our new SUV.

The first thing that struck us was how high the back end was for loading (as mentioned in the article) and how relatively tiny the cargo area was behind the second row of seats.

For example:

Honda Pilot - 47.6 cubic feet
Toyota 4Runner - 42.2 cubic feet
Nissan Pathfinder - 45.4 cubic feet
Jeep Commander - 36.4 cubic feet

No thanks.

[avtoller]

For some reason, that seems to be a Jeep characteristic. I was amazed by how little room there is in the back of the GC considering the overall size of the thing. 

[mdxtasy]

There must be a market for fuel thirsty vehicles in the US - I caught that one episode of King of Cars where a guy bought a Hummer with payments of US$1500 a month!

 

[ab]

I wonder if the Commander will be as good at off roading as the Hummer?

Warning: do not drink milk while watching this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpxoomyFs_0

[Mitlov]

I don't mind the Commander, but I am just not sure where big SUVs sit in the grand scheme of things. There are vey few vehicles on the planet that have the oppulence of a Land Rover - a loaded LR3 or Ranger Rover Sport are as good inside as an Audi A6 or A8 in terms of quality of materials and comfort. Can a loaded Commander be as good as one of those?  Does it matter?

Daimler-Chrysler has never been known for luxurious interiors, but I don't think that's what the Commander was supposed to be about.  Besides, at a bit over half the price of a Range Rover Sport, I don't think that's what it is aimed at.  The 4Runner and those sorts of vehicles strike me as its closest competition.

[Mr Meow]

This is really big monster. I would cry at the pump. Its not even available in Diesel. Which is nuts if you asked me. I think these SUV are a dying breed.
.

[baumer00]

I agree with most of the comments on here, what a misguided SUV, it just has no real place in the market and it's pretty ugly if u ask me

[avtoller]

A got a quick glimpse of one, presumably on a test drive near the local dealer. I was NOT impressed - especially with its size. 

[Bullet Blue]

Saw another one today. Not a pretty sight. It was also on a test drive and the guy driving it didn't seem overly impressed. 

[ngm]

I'm assuming that the V6 used in the Commander is the same as the Liberty...does anyone find it odd that the Commander in V6 trim gets better gas mileage than a Liberty, even though it's bigger, heavier, and probably has a worse drag coefficient?

[safristi]

sticks and sticks will break my bones....WING !!!! the type has gone real slow....back to..the FAREAST AGES.... ...I agree with most of the above.........does she get the HOUSE & THE CAR?