From 2006 to 2010, a remarkable and very interesting car with amazing cross-country ability was produced at two factories of Chrysler Corporation. The name Jeep Commander is rooted in history, because back in the first half of the 20th century, Studebaker produced a car with the same name and a similar philosophy. Today, the SUV is not produced, but the company does not stop talking about 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 corporation cars. The replacement in the company's model line for the Commander was another large SUV called the Jeep Grand Cherokee. But the concern's management does not exclude the parallel release of models in the near future.
The main features of the SUV
I would like to start the review of the legendary model, which has lived on the market for less than 5 years, with the main unusual characteristics that Jeep Corporation offered to its customers. This jeep was the first seven-seater SUV in the history of the company, which would have excellent cross-country ability and bright external characteristics.
The load-bearing body is a rather bold decision with the dimensions of the Jeep Commander. The frame integrated into the body made it possible to create a transport that is stable and capable of any off-road performance. 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 features:
For the first time, the design of three rows of seats of the "amphitheatre" type was used - each row was higher than the previous one;
the passable novelty has become a kind of gift to fans of the Jeep brand on the 65th anniversary of the brand;
to date, 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 forms of cars of the Jeep concern attract not only professional athletes who need the perfect off-road equipment. For many, the Jeep Commander has served as a family car or 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 the photo or video of the model have become its hallmark in the world of competitors.
Interesting design solutions at certain points made the photo of an SUV a very popular material on specialized sites. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to purchase a new version under this name today, but no one forbade admiring the decisions of designers:
Jeep Commander is made in the corporate philosophy familiar to us;
High front optics and a proprietary square grille with longitudinal ribs have become Jeep's hallmark;
Roof rails gave not only practicality, but also a certain charm to the Commander;
The glazing had square shapes and a fairly large area, in some trim levels they offer three sunroofs at once;
On the wheel arches, there were plastic protection bolts - an interesting design move by Jeep specialists.
Every note of the Jeep Commander speaks of the masculine character of the model. One of the most important features of this design is its eternity. Such colorful SUVs do not lose their modernity for many years.
If in subsequent years a new proposal based on the Jeep Commander appears in the concern's lineup, this will not cause much surprise. In addition, the newcomer may have a virtually identical design to the previous generation.
Specifications and test drive
You can appreciate the incredible qualities of an SUV only with a personal acquaintance. In the photo, it may seem unsightly, but during a test drive it turns out that the Commander is able to sincerely surprise. Unfortunately, it is not possible to take a new version for a test ride. Therefore, we will proceed from the feedback from the owners of the Jeep.
Driving a Jeep Commander is a pleasure for fans of powerful vehicles. The asset of the technical characteristics of the SUV has three excellent engines that can give unlimited enjoyment of a test drive 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;
a 5.7-liter gasoline unit is the most powerful Jeep Commander engine, producing 326 horses.
For 2006, the range of such SUV engines surprised potential buyers. The price of the car was quite high, but the 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 were not the limit of the car's power. Jeep Commander, in addition to all its advantages in technology, pleased the owners with an excellent resource. The manufacturer did not survive all the juices from the bulky engines, allowing some instances of the Jeep Commander to reach the mark of 500 thousand kilometers without a major overhaul.
Summing 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, the Dodge, which received most of the advantages of the Jeep Commander, did not gain that popularity even in America. Buyers are not so happy in their reviews of this model. Perhaps we are talking about the charm that could only be created within the eminent 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 midsize SUV made its world debut at the New York Auto Show in the spring of 2005 and went into commercial production in 2006. The first two years the car was in good demand among buyers, but in the future its sales began to decline steadily, especially in the US market. On the assembly line, the "American" lasted until 2010, after which he finally "retired".
Outside, the Jeep Commander is perceived as a car for real men - uncouth forms with chopped outlines, trapezoidal wheel arches with fake bolts on expanders, 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 is 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 is tailored to match the exterior in a masculine and simple style, completely devoid of smooth and sophisticated lines. The monumental center console is crowned with a multimedia complex with a color screen and “washers” of the climate system, and behind a heavy four-spoke “donut” of the steering wheel there is a laconic “toolkit” with analog devices. The interior of the SUV is assembled quite 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 front seats of the Commander with an overly wide profile lack lateral support, but they provide a commandingly high landing. The inhabitants of the second row of seats will definitely not complain about tightness, but the “gallery” is suitable only for children or very tiny people.
The volume of the luggage compartment of the Jeep Commander varies from 170 liters with a seven-seat layout to 1940 liters with the rear seatbacks folded down to form a completely flat floor. A full-size "reserve" of the car is suspended under the bottom.
Specifications. In Russia, the American SUV is found with three different engines, a non-alternative 5-band "automatic" 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 moment is distributed through the center differential, and in the second - three differentials (center and 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 “let’s go”: from a standstill to 100 km / h it accelerates in 9 seconds and lures 191 km / h as much as possible. Passport fuel consumption - 10.8 liters in combined conditions.
- Under the hood of the gasoline versions are V-shaped eight-cylinder units with distributed injection and a 16-valve timing with a volume of 4.7 and 5.7 liters:
- The "younger" 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” of the car takes 7.4-9 seconds, 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. At the front, the SUV has an independent suspension with double A-arms, and at the rear - a dependent five-link design.
The rack-and-pinion steering system is supplemented by a power steering booster, and the brake package is expressed by ventilated front discs, rear “pancakes” and ABS.
Prices. In the secondary market of Russia in 2016, a decent amount of Jeep Commander is sold at a price of 600,000 rubles. All versions of the car are equipped with a set of airbags, ABS, ESP, "cruise", dual-zone "climate", fog lights, leather interior, heated front seats with electric drive, standard audio system, four power windows, 17-inch wheels and factory alarm.
The release of the off-road vehicle Jeep Commander was carried out in the period from 2005 to 2010. The development of this model was carried out on the basis of such a well-known SUV as the Jeep Cherokee. In fact, the car almost completely copies the design of the prototype, the features of its technical, optional equipment, the main difference is the presence of a seven-seater saloon.
The appearance of the car is formed from massive, straight lines, the bow and stern are trimmed with decorative elements made of silvery plastic. The seats are installed as in an amphitheater, that is, each subsequent row of seats is located above the previous one. The options include a full power package, a contactless door opening / closing system, parking sensors, divided into two independent climate control zones. The car is driven by two versions of gasoline engines.
Exterior
The hood of the Jeep SUV is set at a right angle, there is stamping on its plane, the Commander headlights have the shape of a vertically mounted rectangle. Round fog lights are built into the narrow bumper protruding beyond the body line, brackets are welded under the bumper, they are used when mounting attachments. The perimeter of the wheel arches is emphasized by wide overlays. On a straight roof there is a hatch, roof rails are mounted, and they can be placed along or across the body. Straight C-pillars are trimmed with decorative trims, their lower part is allocated for the layout of wide brake light strips. The luggage compartment doors are double-leaf, swing open up and down. The body of the machine has dimensions of 4787x1900x1826 mm, the wheelbase is 2781 mm. When fully loaded, the weight of the car reaches 2903 kg, the trunk volume is 170 liters, this space can expand up to 1950 liters.
Interior
As mentioned above, the Jeep cabin can accommodate up to seven people, each passenger in the Commander is provided with a separate leather-wrapped seat provided with cushions, pillows and lumbar support. Changing the positions of the seats is carried out by means of 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 interior perimeter, built into the inner surfaces of the doors, into the front panel. To the right of the driver is a wide plastic platform with cup holders and a high armrest-box. The front of this platform is trimmed with inserts imitating natural wood. On that site are the levers of the gearbox and the inclusion of all-wheel drive. The plane of the console is used for the layout of the display of the infotainment system, blocks with microclimate controls, on-board systems. The upper part of the steering wheel rim is made with 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, the maximum torque reaches 393 Nm. The top unit has a volume of 5654 cubic centimeters, develops power up to 330 hp. forces, thrust - 508 Nm.
Starting work on this SUV, the Jeep concern intended to call the new Grand Wagoneer. The test vehicle was codenamed YK. However, later he received the majestic name Commander.
His debut took place in April 2005 at the New York Auto Show. The vehicle is intended to strengthen and expand Jeep's existing Wrangler, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee lineup.
The creators awarded Commander with a unique, recognizable appearance and high technical characteristics. It is designed on the platform of the new Grand Cherokee, respectively, the basic design of the models is similar - a Uniframe body (carrying with an integrated frame), an independent double wishbone front suspension and a rigid five-link rear axle.
Working on the exterior, the designers did not forget about the unshakable traditions of the Jeep brand. As befits a car with "army" roots, the Commander received straight lines, chopped shapes and flat, almost vertical body surfaces. Even the side-view mirror housings are made massive and “square”. Appearance Commander seems both new and already familiar. The front view will immediately recognize the approaching Jeep. The headlights still look all the same rounded brand, and a strict radiator grille with seven slots has long become a family feature of the legendary brand.
The car looks interesting from behind. Many details merge into one picture, which can be called new for Jeep cars. Chrome-plated nameplates, plastic rivets on the rear door window, roof rails going forward along the roof - all this is successfully combined, creating a new image for the new model.
The SUV looks massive and monumental, but it also weighs 2361 kg.
The uniqueness of the Commander is that it has seven seats. Due to the almost vertical windshield and the increased body height, it was possible to place three rows of seats in the cabin, and they are placed in an amphitheater, that is, third-row passengers sit above all, who have an excellent overview. For greater ease of landing on the second and third rows of seats, the roof is made with a ledge. The seats of all passengers are comfortable and provide good lateral support.
The interior is rather restrained. Simple but functional deflectors are surrounded by the main find of designers - decorative rivets in the amount of 16 pieces. They also surround the new Jeep emblem. The dashboard is as extremely simple and functional as everything else around it.
To visually increase the interior space, the designers generously awarded the Commander with three hatches at once. The largest of them is located above the front seats. A couple of small ones are above the rear seats.
A roomy SUV is able to take on board not only seven people, but also a lot of bags, suitcases and boxes. After a short manipulation of the seats for the rear passengers, you can get an impressive amount of usable space. The length of the car is 4787 mm, the width is 1900 mm, and the floor after the transformation of the seats is completely flat - all this makes it possible to obtain a volume of 1950 liters. But the volume of the trunk in the standard layout of the cabin is not impressive - only 170 liters.
Three engines are offered as the main driving force - 3.7L V6 12V (210 hp), 4.7L V8 16V (230 hp) and the top motor of the North American branch DCX 5.7L V8 16V Hemi (326 hp).
The choice of transmission options with permanent all-wheel drive is similar to the Grand Cherokee - two versions of Quadra-Drive with a demultiplier (NV245) and without (NV140), as well as Quadra-DriveII with electronically controlled limited-slip differentials ELSD.
Modifications: Standard 4x2, Laredo 4x4 and Limited 4x4.
The equipment includes ABS, full power accessories, several audio system options, separate climate control. The basic version also received 17-inch wheels, parking sensors and a Keyless Entry contactless access system to the cabin. For a surcharge, you can order inflatable "curtain" safety, digital navigation system GPS / DVD, satellite radio Sirius, leather and wood trim, "turning" headlights and a rain sensor.
