The ride and drive of the Commander is impressive. Being based on the
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(Photo: Kevin ''Crash'' Corrigan) |
Grand Cherokee it has a solid yet comfortable approach to road holding. My test unit carried the 5.7L Hemi unit which, to say has an abundance of power, is putting it mildly. The Hemi is a great engine but it does have a strange effect on the driver, you tend to feel the force and use the power. This, in turn, has a startling effect on the fuel gauge which rapidly drops towards the E with every stomp on the pedal. Now this might shock those of you who know me but I'm going to say it anyway. "I think that the Hemi is a little OTT for this truck". Does anyone really need all that power in a SUV like this?
All in all, I think that the Commander is basically a good vehicle. There are a few things that I would have done differently if I had been on the design team but, then again, they might not like the wallpaper in my family room.
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(Photo: Kevin ''Crash'' Corrigan) |
What it all boils down to this, will it do the job that it was built for? The answer is yes. Will it appeal to the SUV buying public? I think that the answer will also be yes. But of course the big question is...would I buy one?
You know, I think I would. It would have to be one of the smaller engines rather than the Hemi. If available, I'd order one as a 5 passenger as I'd prefer a bit more space and I don't have that many kids anyway. But yes, I would buy one and be happy in the knowledge that I was driving around in what will probably become another Icon of the Jeep world.