Technical

The Commander basically shares the same drivetrains as the Grand Cherokee with only a minor difference. The base engine is a 3.7L V6 that pumps out 210 hp at 5 200 rpm and 235 lb/ft of torque at 4 000 rpm. The next up is the 4.7L V8. It develops 235 hp at 4 500 rpm and 305 lb/ft of torque at 3 600 rpm. The good'ol HEMI 5.7L V8 comes next. It charges ahead with 330 hp at 5 000 rpm and 375 lb/ft of torque at 3 750 rpm, 5 more in both cases than the Grand Cherokee. The only transmission available is a 5-speed automatic with a manual mode. The 2,300 kg truck comes to a stop via 4-wheel disc brakes and steering is power assisted rack-and-pinion. The Limited model I tested is delivered with the Quadra-Trac II Active full-time 4WD system with front and rear electronic limited-slip differentials. 17" wheels and tires are standard.

On the road

What can I say about the very famous HEMI V8 that has not already been said? Sure, it has tons of grunt, moves the city-block sized truck as though it was the size of a Liberty and it sounds great. But, unless you need to tow a heavy trailer or are constantly loaded to the gills, the 4.7L V8 will do nicely. That is, of course, unless you want to show off on your own and blow by modified Civics in traffic... The principal reason for suggesting the smaller V8 or even the V6 is to not become best friends with all your neighbourhood gas stations. My final returned average fuel consumption is a staggering 20.5L per 100 km over a 650 km test. My worst ever number behind only the Dodge Ram Power Wagon.

The brakes are sharp. Steering is far more precise and agreeable than any truck in this category should have to be. The ride could be best described by someone who's been on many yacht trips over repeated waves. Road undulations cause the Commander to slowly lower itself into the rut long after the wheels have made their way through it. This then causes the body to slowly raise itself back up. This lazy up and down movement may be annoying if not nausea-inducing but there is a reason for it. The Commander is Trail Rated. For a Jeep to be Trail Rated, it must be able to traverse the worst surface conditions. One of the principal ingredients for this is generous wheel travel as well as a capable AWD system. The Commander has both on top of good ground clearance and an available Off-Road group of options.

Safety

The truck has standard dual front, side and side curtain air bags, ABS brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) have yet to crash test a Commander.