Jeep Commander
2006 JEEP COMMANDER REVIEWS
The Jeep Commander is in no way a ground breaking vehicle, but it attempts to offer consumers something new in a not so new category. Jeep introduced its mid sized sport utility vehicle in 2006, though it was first seen at the 2005 New York Auto Show. Everyone already knows that Jeep is known for high quality vehicles that stand the test of time, but the Commander is the first Jeep vehicle that offers seating for seven passengers. The idea that Jeep is offering a sport utility vehicle that seats seven is exciting because it will open up new things to consumers and definitely raise the bar as far as comfort and durability of mid sized sport utility vehicles are concerned.
Jeep did not style the Commander like any of the other vehicles in their current lineup. This vehicle has a very boxy or square styling and features an upright windshield as well as squared off sides. A roof rack is atop the Commander to hide the fact that the roof is quite high toward the rear of the vehicle as the second and third row seats are mounted higher than the first row.
Overall, the Commander is a very stylish vehicle, though it has that simple elegance and sporty look that all Jeep vehicles have. While the Commander is not exactly like any of the other vehicles, it fits in because it isn’t unlike them either. Simply put, the Commander is an interesting vehicle to look at.
 |
 |
 |
When you look under the hood of a Jeep Commander you will see that it has been well equipped to serve the needs of those that want to travel long distances as well as the needs of the average soccer mom and business man. Consumers will have three engines to choose from when they purchase a new Commander. The engine options include a 3.7 liter V6, a 4.7 liter V8, and a 5.7 liter Hemi V8. For those that simply need a comfortable vehicle with space to tool around town, the V6 engine may be ideal while those looking for power and space will find the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 very nice.
The interior is what wins many consumers over on the idea of purchasing a Jeep Commander. The great features start at the driver’s seat, as it has the look and even the comfortable feel that most consumers associate with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The stadium seating is an obvious attraction, as well. When riding in the Commander, the passengers in the second and third row seats will enjoy an unobstructed view. This can be a life saver for parents whose kids get bored of looking at the back of their sibling’s heads! Second and third row seating passengers will also enjoy fixed moon roofs that allow for more natural lighting in the middle and back of the vehicle.
Third row seating in a sport utility vehicle is always an area that is highly scrutinized by those that review vehicles as well as potential customers. The third row seating in this vehicle is quite good. The seats will seat an adult, unlike other SUVs but it generally seems more comfortable for adolescent aged children if you’ll be taking a long or bumpy ride. The second row seems fine for those that have long legs, but the third row is definitely not for the tall or above average in height.
 |
 |
 |
Parents may or may not like the access to the rear seats. The second row seat folds forward, which will allow an adult to access children or groceries in the rear. The split bench seats are equally sizes. A nice feature for this third row is heating and air conditioning controls as it can be difficult to adequately heat and cools the rear area of the SUV with the front controls.
Another nice feature that the Commander boasts is second and third row seating that fold flat to create a loading floor for large loads. There is also a handy L-shaped storage compartment in the floor behind the third row of seats. This set up makes the Commander great for consumers that need room for plenty of passengers, but also may need room for cargo. The space is great, but many complain that the load floor height is much too high to easily load heavy items in and out with ease.
Generally the Jeep Commander is an attractive vehicle because it offers space for plenty of passengers, as well as plenty of cargo space. The great thing about the Commander is that it does not force the consumer to give up passenger room or cargo space, it’s the perfect combination of the two. Of course, there are areas that could always improve such as the cramped third row seating, but even that is better than average. Jeep really seems to have hit the jackpot with the Commander as it has a variety of prices that make it affordable to a large consumer base and it also has three engine offerings that make it quite attractive to even more people. Whether you are looking for style, comfort, storage space, passenger seating, or even power you’ll find that the Jeep Commander has just about anything you could be looking for in a mid sized sport utility vehicle.
2006 JEEP COMMANDER |
|
| Description: | Mid-size 7-passenger SUV |
| Wheelbase: | 109.5 inches |
| Overall Length: | 188.5 inches |
| Engine Size: | SOHC 3.7-L V6, SOHC 4.7-L V8, OHC 5.7-L V8 HEMI MDS |
| Transmission: | 3.7: Auto/5/W5A580, 4.7: Auto/5/545RFE, 5.7: Auto/5/545RFE |
| Drive: | 2WD/Rear, 4WD, 3.7: Quadra-Trac I, 4.7: Quadra-Trac II, 5.7: Quadra-Drive II, ELSD/ESP/DHS |
| Breaking: | Power 4-disc, ABS/BA/TCS/ESP |
| Airbags: | 2 (front), 6 (side curtain) |
| Gas Mileage: | 3.7: 16/19 mpg, 4.7: 14/19 mpg, 5.7: 13/18 mpg |
Commander's Pros:
- Very comfortable on the highways and is a more than capable able off-roader. Seats in the test vehicles felt comfortable even with the extreme bumping over rocks on off-road trails.
- Little to no buffeting when driving at normal highway speeds with windows down.
- Even the base model comes packed with standard safety features. Side-curtain air bags, anti-skid and anti-rollover systems, and backup alarms to warn you when someone or something is behind.
- Highway wind noise was minimal, which is unusual, as the Commander's has a very square shaped body and an upright windshield.
Cool Features:
- Tire-pressure sensors monitor the pressure in all 4 tires.
- Each row of seating is higher than the one in front of it, to give all passangers a good view of the road ahead.
- The Commander comes in 2 different engine configurations, a 4.7-liter or 5.7-liter Hemi. The Hemi is of course, the star performer.
2006 Jeep Commander Features
Base model includes: A/C, AM/FM/CD stereo, remote-control locking system, cruise control, power steering, mirrors, windows, locks, brakes, driver's seat; tilt-adjustable steering wheel.
Size: Commander is 188.5 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, 71.9 inches tall on a 109.5-inch wheelbase. Cargo space is listed at 7.5 cubic feet and at 36.4 cubic feet when third row is folded down. Finally at 68.9 cubic feet when both the second and third rows are folded down. Weight ranges from 4,581 to 5,169 pounds.
Carrying power: Rated to carry from up to 1,620 pounds total, depending on model. Tows from 3,500 to 7,200 pounds, depending on model.
Mileage: V-6 is clocked at 17 miles per gallon city, 21 on the highway; 4.7-liter V-8 is 15/20; 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is 14/19. Midgrade, 89-octane gas is recommended for Hemi. Regular 87-octane is recommended for V-6 and 4.7-liter V-8.