2006 Jeep Commander First Drive

Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.

A Grand Cherokee gone retro

Introduction

Jeep Commander - 2006 First Drive:

Big, bold, and endowed with plenty of power from a massive motor, the original 1963 Jeep Wagoneer had tons of space for nearly everything - including the kitchen sink. Today, in the spirit of that gargantuan SUV, comes the all-new 2006 Jeep Commander, the first Jeep equipped with three rows of seats. However, the Commander isn't as large as the old Wagoneer, though certainly resembles it thanks to styling that is more angular then any current Jeep model except the Wrangler.

The Commander's sharp-cornered design only hints at the solid capabilities and modern features contained in this hulking Jeep. Naturally, with the name Jeep emblazoned on the hood, the Commander is Trail Rated, which means that it meets the same minimum off-roading capabilities as any other Jeep equipped with four-wheel drive. Short overhangs emphasize this Jeep's excellent hill-climbing capability, and if you replace its all-season tires, the Commander can easily claw its way to that favorite backwoods fishing hole.

But with the Commander, performance is defined by more than just off-road capability. A big 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is the top choice of three engine variants, offering quick acceleration on paved surfaces. And in this, the largest of Jeeps, performance on the road is just as important as its prowess on dirt trails. In fact, power, traction, and ruggedness are virtues that the 2006 Jeep Commander exudes from each of its distinct corners.

Model Mix

Two trim levels, three engines and three different four-wheel drive systems offer consumers a wide variety of ways to equip a 2006 Jeep Commander, which comes only as a seven-passenger SUV that is constructed on the smaller Jeep Grand Cherokee's frame and mechanicals.

Jeep starts out with the base Commander, which includes standard features such as 50/50 split third-row seating, Electronic Stability Control (ESP), 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, an eight-way power driver's seat, CD player, cruise control and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Moving up to the 2006 Jeep Commander Limited grants access to the powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine while adding luxury touches like a chrome grille, fog lamps, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, leather-trimmed seats with memory feature, dual-zone climate control, power adjustable foot pedals, and a power sunroof with CommandView skylights.

The 2006 Jeep Commander comes with a standard 3.7-liter V6 engine that is merely adequate given the SUV's size and passenger capacity while delivering a barely perceptible increase in fuel economy of one mile-per-gallon in city driving over the optional 4.7-liter V8 engine that provides good power and torque. But, we think the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is a must for this vehicle for two reasons. First, we love the power and torque this engine offers and two, with this large vehicle you need the big V8 for hauling and towing, not to mention powering your way through those off-road conditions you might find in the woods. But let's face it - no matter which motor you choose, fuel economy is an oxymoron with the Commander.

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