After enjoying a very stable drive

I couldn't believe how comfortable it was when the pavement ended, its suspension soaking up ever rut, bump, log and rock we ran over virtually no negative impact on driver and passengers. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

through winding mountain roads, I took the opportunity to drive the Commander on some light-duty trails, just to get some quick photos. I couldn't believe how comfortable it was when the pavement ended, its suspension soaking up ever rut, bump, log and rock we ran over virtually no negative impact on driver and passengers.

Later that afternoon I took the Commander on a 4x4 track Jeep had set up for testing out its capabilities off the beaten path, and I know I barely scratched the surface, not the paint surface thank goodness, of what this vehicle is capable of. It should, most likely,

The trails Jeep had us traverse during the Commander launch were only moderately challenging, but experience behind the wheel of a Grand Cherokee showed me that this 'ute has impressive off-road capabilities. (Photo: Dean Washington, Canadian Auto Press)

perform similarly to the Grand Cherokee when pushed to the limit, being that it shares the same chassis components and even an identical wheelbase, but better yet, improves on the GC's ground clearance with 251 mm (9.9 inches) of chassis height, 227 mm (9.0 inches of front axle clearance, and 218 mm (8.6 inches) of rear axle height. Sure it's heavier, but this can be a bonus when attempting to find traction on slippery road surfaces. Needless to say the Commander hardly broke a sweat negotiating the moderately difficult test route - what I put the Grand Cherokee through during its Southern California launch was much more grueling so I know the Commander is capable of much, much more.