General information about the model
Jeep Commander is the first 7-seater SUV in the Jeep lineup. It is based on the same XK platform as the Grand Cherokee (the Commander is only 5 cm longer). From a technical point of view, it is a five-door car with a front longitudinal engine and a Uniframe monocoque body with an integrated frame. Depending on the version, the Jeep Commander has rear-wheel drive, permanent all-wheel drive without reduction gearing and a locking center differential, and all-wheel drive with all “off-road options.”
The main external features of the Commander are the angular body, made in the corporate style of classic Jeep models, and the “family” radiator grille with seven slits and the JEEP inscription above them.
Car production took place from 2006 to 2010: cars for America were produced at the Chrysler plant in Detroit, and for Europe at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria. Commander was offered to buyers in three configuration options: Base (aka Sport), Limited and Overland (2007-2009).
Initially, the new Jeep model, created on the same platform as the Grand Cherokee, was proposed to be called the Grand Wagoneer; during tests, the car was hidden under the abbreviation YK, but then it was decided to give it the name of the legendary Studebaker, produced until 1966. The presentation of the new product took place in 2005 in New York, and it was initially positioned as a 7-seater version of the Grand Cherokee and only then became the flagship of the model range. Commander combined the classic “chopped” Jeep exterior with a modern, comfortable interior.
Features of Jeep Commander
One of the main features is the three rows of seats arranged in an “amphitheater” (the third row sits highest). To ensure comfort for all passengers, the roof of the SUV also has a “stepped” shape and rises higher at the rear of the vehicle.
To visually increase the space, three hatches fit into the interior - a large one above the front seats and two small ones above the rear ones (offered as an additional option).
The volume of the luggage compartment depends on the position of the seats: with the second and third rows folded, this figure reaches 1770 liters (with them unfolded - only 235 liters).
To once again emphasize the brutal origins of the Commander, the designers decided not to cover the bolts that secure the external plastic elements of the body (arch extensions, etc.) with anything.
In the American market, the car was offered with a base 3.7-liter gasoline engine, as well as more powerful 4.7- and 5.7-liter engines. For economical Europeans, a turbodiesel with a volume of “only” 3.0 liters was also developed. All engines were paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Pros and cons of an SUV
Since the Commander is built on the Grand Cherokee platform and has similar dimensions, it is also not inferior in cross-country ability. Thanks to powerful engines, the dynamics of the Commander are very impressive (the top version accelerates to hundreds in just 7.4 seconds), but the price to pay for fast driving is huge fuel consumption, which...
Despite the fairly ergonomic interior, you can’t count on 7 full seats in the Commander: tall passengers in the third row feel cramped, and on uneven road surfaces they can hit their heads on the ceiling.
The weight of the Jeep Commander (almost 2 tons), combined with a not too sharp steering wheel, makes the car very specific to drive. Its element is leisurely trips on asphalt or moderate off-road.
Interesting about Jeep Commander
The name Commander first appeared in the Jeep lineup back in 1999. This was the name of the concept of an electric car with a body made of aluminum and composite materials. Another feature of this project was the hydraulically adjustable ground clearance by 100 mm.
The name Commander has appeared four times in automotive history: in addition to the mentioned Jeep and Studebaker, it was also worn by the Scammell truck and the Indian Mahindra SUV.
The Commander model appeared on the market in the year of Jeep's 65th anniversary. In honor of this event, a special version of the 65th Anniversary Edition was prepared in several corporate colors (Black, Light Khaki, Dark Khaki, Silver and Jeep Green) and with “Jeep 65” plaques in the interior.
Along with the existing Commander modifications, another one was being prepared for release - the most powerful SRT-8. It was supposed to be equipped with a 6.1-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. However, this project never reached mass production.
At the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, a Chrysler representative announced that a new incarnation of the seven-passenger Jeep SUV was being prepared, this time bringing back the Grand Wagoneer name. So it is possible that the Commander tradition in the Jeep lineup will still find its continuation.
Jeep Commander Awards and Sales Results
For the first two years, the car was in excellent demand in the US market (in 2006, sales exceeded 88 thousand units, while the Grand Cherokee had only 75 thousand), and then the results began to fall sharply. In the markets of Europe, China, South Africa and North Korea, Commander also did not achieve outstanding success. Jeep marketers have come to the conclusion that the 7-seater model not only does not attract new buyers, but also “dissuades” customers from the Grand Cherokee. As a result, in 2010 it was decided to discontinue production of the model. The “successor” to the Commander in 2011 was the Dodge Durango.
In the first year of its presence on the market, Commander won the prestigious prize of the British magazine 4x4 Magazine in the main category - “SUV of the Year”. The jury gave the new product maximum points for functionality and high level of maneuverability.
Also in 2006, Jeep Commander was recognized as the winner of the Russian SUV of the Year competition in the Full-size SUV category.
The Jeep Commander all-terrain vehicle was produced from 2005 to 2010. The development of this model was carried out on the basis of such a famous SUV as the Jeep Cherokee. In fact, the car almost completely copies the design of the prototype, the features of its technical and optional equipment, the main difference is the presence of a seven-seater cabin.
The appearance of the car is formed from massive, straight lines, the bow and stern are finished with decorative elements made of silver plastic. The seats are installed like in an amphitheater, that is, each subsequent row of seats is located higher than the previous one. The options include a full electrical package, a contactless door opening/closing system, parking sensors, divided into two independent climate control zones. The car is driven by two options of gasoline engines.
Exterior
The hood of the Jeep SUV is set at a right angle, there is stamping on its surface, the Commander headlights have the shape of a vertically mounted rectangle. Round fog lights are built into the narrow bumper, protruding beyond the line of the body; brackets are welded under the bumper; they are used when installing attachments. The perimeter of the wheel arches is emphasized by wide overlays. There is a hatch on the straight roof, roof rails are mounted, and they can be positioned along or across the body. The straight rear pillars are trimmed with decorative trims, their lower part is dedicated to the layout of wide stripes of brake lights. The luggage compartment doors are double-leaf and swing up and down. The vehicle body has dimensions of 4787x1900x1826 mm, wheelbase - 2781 mm. When fully loaded, the car weighs 2903 kg, the trunk volume is 170 liters, this space can be expanded to 1950 liters.
Interior
As mentioned above, the Jeep interior can accommodate up to seven people; each passenger in the Commander is provided with a separate leather-trimmed seat equipped with bolsters, pillows and lumbar support. The seat positions are changed using an electric drive, and it is already installed in the initial configuration. Air conditioning ducts are connected to the second row of seats; passengers are given the opportunity to control the functions of the stereo system and the microclimate. Eleven speakers of the stereo system are distributed around the perimeter of the cabin, built into the inner surfaces of the doors, and into the front panel. To the right of the driver there is a wide plastic platform with cup holders and a high armrest-box. The front part of this platform is finished with inserts imitating natural wood. The gearbox and all-wheel drive levers are located in this area. The plane of the console is used for the layout of the display of the infotainment system, blocks with microclimate controls, and on-board systems. The upper part of the steering wheel rim is made of the same material as the front part of the central tunnel, the composition of the instrument panel scales is standard.
Specifications
In the initial configuration, under the hood of the Jeep Commander SUV, an engine with a volume of 4701 cubic centimeters and a power of 235 hp is installed. forces, maximum torque reaches 393 Nm. The top-end unit has a volume of 5654 cubic centimeters and develops power up to 330 hp. forces, thrust - 508 Nm.
The development of the Jeep Commander SUV was carried out under the code name YK. It is noteworthy that the concern initially planned to give its new model the name Jeep Wagoneer. The car premiered at an exhibition in New York in the spring of 2005. The car is developed on the platform of the latest version of the Grand Cherokee and has the same basic design, that is, a Uniframe monocoque body, independent double-wishbone front suspension and a five-link rear axle. The car's exterior reflects the brand's military roots - the body is replete with straight lines, flat surfaces and chopped shapes. Round headlights and a seven-slot grille make it instantly recognizable as a Jeep. The weight of the car is more than 2.3 tons, but the seven-seater SUV with a trunk capacity of up to 1950 liters also looks massive and monumental. The car was produced in three modifications: Standard 4x2, Laredo 4x4 and Limited 4x4. Under the hood of the car, one of three engines with power from 210 to 326 horsepower was installed. The Jeep Commander was discontinued in 2010. From 2006 to 2009, almost 192 thousand cars were sold in the USA, and no more than one thousand in Russia.
Jeep Commander Specifications
station wagon
SUV
- width 1,899mm
- length 4,787mm
- height 1,826mm
- ground clearance 212mm
- seats 7
From 2006 to 2010, two Chrysler Corporation plants produced a remarkable and very interesting car with amazing cross-country ability. The name Jeep Commander is rooted in history, because back in the first half of the 20th century, Studebaker produced cars with the same name and a similar philosophy. Today the SUV is not produced, but the company never ceases to announce the possible revival of the big Jeep.
Angular design, huge interior, powerful engines - these criteria fit perfectly into the general principles of large and passable cars of the corporation. The replacement for the Commander in the company's lineup was another large SUV called the Jeep Grand Cherokee. But the management of the concern does not exclude the parallel release of models in the near future.
Main features of the SUV
I would like to start the review of the legendary model, which has been on the market for less than 5 years, with the main unusual characteristics that the Jeep corporation offered its customers. This jeep became the first seven-seater SUV in the history of the company, which would have excellent cross-country ability and striking external characteristics.
The monocoque body is quite a bold solution given the size of the Jeep Commander. The frame integrated into the body made it possible to create a vehicle that is stable and capable of any off-road accomplishments. The huge ground clearance added cross-country ability and contributed to the design. In the photo, the Commander looks very colorful. The main interesting features of the SUV are the following:
For the first time, the design of three rows of seats of the “amphitheater” type was used - each row was higher than the previous one;
the passable new product became a kind of gift to lovers of the Jeep brand on the 65th anniversary of the brand;
Today, the company is developing an SUV based on the Commander, which will presumably be called the Grand Wagoneer;
After being discontinued, the Jeep Commander became the basis for the creation of a new model of the Dodge Durango Corporation.
In Russia, the Jeep Commander was also not without attention, although the bulk of car buyers are concentrated in the United States. In our country, the Jeep was awarded the “SUV of the Year” award in 2006, which significantly attracted public attention to the model. For Eurasia, Jeep was assembled at the Austrian Chrysler plant.
External characteristics – cubist design
The brutal shapes of Jeep cars attract not only professional athletes who need ideal off-road equipment. For many, the Jeep Commander served as a family car or fulfilled another task, which only confirms the versatility of the American company's models. It must be said that the rough features that can be seen in a photo or video of the model have become its distinguishing feature in the world of competitors.
At certain moments, interesting design solutions made photos of an SUV a very popular material on specialized websites. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to purchase a new version under this name today, but no one forbade admiring the designers’ decisions:
The Jeep Commander is made in the corporate philosophy that is familiar to us;
High front optics and the signature square radiator grille with longitudinal ribs have become the hallmark of the Jeep;
The roof rails added not only practicality, but also a certain charm to the Commander;
The glazing had a square shape and a fairly large area; in some trim levels they offer three sunroofs at once;
The wheel arches had bolts for fastening plastic protection - an interesting design move by Jeep specialists.
Every note of the Jeep Commander speaks of the model's masculine character. One of the most important features of this design is its timelessness. Such colorful SUVs have not lost their modernity for many years.
If in subsequent years a new offer based on the Jeep Commander appears in the concern’s lineup, this will not cause much surprise. In addition, the newcomer may have a design that is virtually identical to the previous generation.
Specifications and test drive
The incredible qualities of an SUV can only be appreciated through personal acquaintance. In the photo it may seem unprepossessing, but during a test drive it turns out that Commander is capable of sincerely surprising. Unfortunately, it is not possible to take the new variant for a test drive. Therefore, we will proceed from the reviews of Jeep owners.
A ride in the Jeep Commander is a pleasure for lovers of powerful vehicles. The SUV's technical characteristics include three excellent engines that can provide unlimited pleasure during test drives and daily trips:
3.0 CRD - a diesel unit with a potential of 218 horses surprises with its traction from the lowest revs;
The 4.7-liter gasoline engine for the Commander received 303 horsepower and moderate fuel consumption for such a volume;
The 5.7-liter gasoline unit is the most powerful engine in the Jeep Commander, producing 326 horses.
For 2006, the range of such SUV engines surprised potential buyers. The price of the car was quite high, but true connoisseurs of off-road monsters simply could not deny themselves the pleasure of riding such an ideal vehicle.
Judging by the reviews of Russian drivers, the technical characteristics turned out to be not the limit of the car’s power. Jeep Commander, in addition to all its technical advantages, pleased its owners with an excellent resource. The manufacturer did not waste all its juice on large engines, allowing some Jeep Commander units to reach the 500 thousand kilometers mark without major repairs.
Let's sum it up
If a potential buyer is no longer interested in the price, then the manufacturer has done everything right. It was this factor that was present in the features of the Jeep Commander. Flattering reviews about the SUV continue to pour in on various specialized sites, although the car has not been produced in its original form for 4 years.
Interestingly, Dodge, which received most of the benefits of the Jeep Commander, did not gain the same popularity even in America. Buyers are not so happy in their reviews of this model. Perhaps we are talking about charm that could only be created within the famous concern?
Only one thing is clear - Jeep Commander has become an interesting page in the history of the brand. If the SUV appears on the assembly line again, its revival will be welcomed by many lovers of brutal male technology.
The Jeep Commander mid-size SUV made its world debut at the New York Auto Show in the spring of 2005, and its commercial production was launched in 2006. For the first two years, the car was in good demand among buyers, but later its sales began to decline steadily, especially in the US market. The “American” remained on the assembly line until 2010, after which it finally “retired.”
From the outside, the Jeep Commander is perceived as a car for real men - uncouth shapes with chopped outlines, trapezoidal wheel arches with fake bolts on the extensions, a deliberately rough radiator grille with seven “family” slots and rectangular lighting equipment. The SUV looks powerful, weighty and brutal.
The length of the “Commander” extends to 4787 mm, its width is 1900 mm, its height is 1826 mm, and the wheelbase and ground clearance are 2781 mm and 210 mm, respectively. Depending on the version, the “American” weighs from 1992 to 2190 kg in “combat” form.
The interior of the Jeep Commander, matching its appearance, is designed in a masculine and simple style, completely devoid of smooth and sophisticated lines. The monumental center console is topped with a multimedia complex with a color screen and “washers” of the climate system, and behind the weighty four-spoke “donut” of the steering wheel there is a laconic “instrumentation” with analog instruments. The interior of the SUV is assembled rather clumsily, and all panels are made of hard plastic: soft materials can only be felt on the steering wheel and door panels in the upper part.
The Commander's front seats, with their overly wide profile, lack lateral support, but they provide a commandingly high seating position. The inhabitants of the second row of seats will definitely not complain about the cramped space, but the “gallery” is suitable only for children or very petite people.
The luggage compartment volume of the Jeep Commander varies from 170 liters with a seven-seater configuration to 1940 liters with the backrests of the rear rows of seats folded down, forming a completely flat floor. The car's full-size spare tire is suspended under the bottom.
Specifications. In Russia, the American SUV is available with three different engines, a non-alternative 5-speed automatic transmission and two all-wheel drive packages – Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II. Each of the schemes implies the presence of a two-stage transfer case, but in the first case the torque is distributed through a center differential, and in the second - three differentials (center and cross-wheel) with electronic control.
- There is only one diesel engine available for the “Commander” – a 3.0-liter “six” with a V-shaped layout and turbocharging, developing 218 “horses” at 4000 rpm and 510 Nm of peak thrust at 1600 rpm. You can’t exactly call such a car “a lout”: it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 9 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 191 km/h. The rated fuel consumption is 10.8 liters in combined conditions.
- Under the hood of the gasoline versions there are V-shaped eight-cylinder units with distributed injection and 16-valve timing with a volume of 4.7 and 5.7 liters:
- the “junior” version produces 303 horsepower at 5650 rpm and 445 Nm of torque at 3950 rpm,
- “Senior” - 326 “mares” at 5000 rpm and 500 Nm at 4000 rpm.
Depending on the performance, conquering the first “hundred” takes 7.4-9 seconds for the car, the “maximum speed” is 208-210 km/h, and the “appetite” ranges from 13.9 to 15.5 liters in the combined cycle.
“Commander” is designed on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform with the WH index and has a load-bearing body structure with an “integrated frame” and a power plant located in the longitudinal direction. The SUV has an independent suspension with double A-arms at the front, and a dependent five-link design at the rear.
The rack-and-pinion steering system is complemented by power steering, and the braking package includes ventilated front discs, rear “pancakes” and ABS.
Prices. In 2016, a decent number of Jeep Commanders are sold on the Russian secondary market at prices starting from 600,000 rubles. All versions of the car are equipped with a set of airbags, ABS, ESP, cruise, dual-zone climate control, fog lights, leather interior, heated and electric front seats, a standard audio system, four electric windows, 17-inch wheels and a factory alarm system.
