Teresa’s View

Sat., Jan. 28, 2006

Teresa McCallion Marketing Department Columnist

Jeep knows a thing or two about building off-road vehicles that are actually meant for adventures – the company that began as Willys-Overland Company is celebrating six decades building rugged rigs. When buyers wanted a larger vehicle to haul more people, Jeep answered with what they say is the first seven-passenger 4x4 that is Jeep Trail Rated. The all-new Commander is as sure-footed off-road as its heritage suggests and now the whole family can go stump jumping. Square-jawed in a mostly soft-edged category, the Commander is a take-no-prisoners, honest-to-goodness sport-utility-vehicle.

Longer, taller and wider than the Grand Cherokee, the Commander lives up to its name. It’s the only SUV in its class to offer a choice of three engines – 3.7-liter V-6, 4.7-liter V-8 and 330-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. Named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for the fourth year in a row, the Hemi has become an American icon. But wait there’s more. Buyers also have a choice of three full-time four-wheel-drive systems and two five-speed automatic transmissions.

Jeep engineers got the off-road stuff right, but interior ergonomics should have been more completely explored. A tanklike windshield is so narrow it can trigger claustrophobic reactions. The grab handles for front-seat occupants sit so far forward the passenger is practically kissing the air bag – something I rarely see recommended – and the door handles sit so low they are nearly obscured by the seats.

But my biggest complaint about the Commander is poor driver visibility and I’m not talking about the ability of passersby to see me. Rear headrests, tall third-row seats and thick pillars conspire to block the driver’s rearward view. It’s especially problematic on the most dangerous of off-road settings – the grocery store parking lot.

On the plus side, my diminutive mom liked the low step-in height and the whole family appreciated the dual skylights above the middle row and power sunroof above the front seat – a standard feature on our Commander Limited tester.

What Is It?: The Commander is a midsize SUV and the largest of the now four-vehicle lineup that includes the Wrangler, Liberty and Grand Cherokee. Offered in two trims – Standard and Limited – prices for the big rig start at $28K.

The Back Seat: Both rows of bench seats are unusually flat. The second-row legroom is poor, but the third row is better. Although passengers there sit higher thanks to theater seating, they are also knees-to-noggin’ due to a high floor.

Grocery Sack Test: With the third seat in place, a single row of paper grocery sacks barely fit. If you can leave one or more of the kids behind, the second row seats split 40-20-40 and the third row splits 50-50 to form a flat floor. A sturdy storage bin is located in the floor behind the third row.

Cheat Sheet: Jeep is a division of DaimlerChrysler.

So, Where Are Ya From?: It’s assembled in Detroit.

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