Vehicle Review

Jeep purists never got over the loss of the original Cherokee, so it's no surprise the 2010 Jeep Commander bears a striking resemblance to the former's beloved and boxy design. Unlike the old Cherokee, the Commander offers far better interior accommodations, including a third-row seat. The Commander is Jeep's largest SUV to date and, although it shares much of its chassis and suspension with the Grand Cherokee (as well as the availability of a HEMI V8 engine), no one will ever mistake the two. While the Commander doesn't offer the same cargo space as a full-sized Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition, it should suit most families looking for a workable combination of comfort, power and superior off-road ability.

For 2010, Limited trims now have as standard a 5.7-liter V8, power rear liftgate and body-colored exterior mirrors. The Overland trim has been dropped from the Commander line up, as has the 4.7-liter V8 engine.

This is the SUV for you if you like the bolted-together industrial look, want seven-passenger capacity and have an occasional desire for serious off-road capability. If you covet Jeep's tough "Trail Rated" image and reputation in a quiet, fully-equipped, leather-lined cabin, you'll like the 2010 Jeep Commander all the more.

If your SUV needs are more about fashion than function, and/or your driving preferences are more attuned to on-road ride and handling than off-road aptitude, this may not be the car for you. There are sleeker, less-expensive and more fuel-efficient SUV and crossover wagon choices available to get you around town.

While the Commander's shape is cinder-block blunt, much wind-tunnel effort has been devoted to reducing aerodynamic drag for fuel efficiency and interior quietness. The big, blocky outside mirrors, for example, are virtually invisible to the wind, according to the vehicle's chief designer. The roof is raised 3.15 inches, with the upturn beginning over the second row to provide more headroom. The roof-rack stanchions resemble buttress-style bridge supports, and five large simulated Allen screws appear to hold on each trapezoidal fender flare. The uplevel Limited wears chrome on its signature seven-slot grille, front fascia, body-side moldings, roof-rail crossbars and the two large liftgate grab handles that assist access to rooftop cargo.

Jeep's first three-row vehicle provides good two-row room, but we wouldn't want to spend much time in that way-back third row with just 28.9 inches of legroom and 35.7 inches of headroom. Behind it are grocery hooks and a bin with a clever three-way lid, but little cargo capacity with the seatbacks up. Echoing the exterior's "bold, rugged, constructed" theme, the base Commander cabin has cloth seats and a nicely textured upper dash. Sixteen Allen-head screws retain eight large, round air vents, while simulated Allen heads encircle the gearshift knob and steering wheel hub. The second row splits 40/20/40, the third row 50/50, and both fold flat for cargo.

The 2010 Jeep Commander Sport boasts a 3.7-liter V6 engine, Quadra-Trac 1 (4x4 models), 17-inch machined-face wheels with painted pockets, power windows, heated power mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD six-speaker audio and rear park assist. Its standard safety package includes multi-stage front and three-row side-curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with "Roll Mitigation" that senses an impending roll-over and works to prevent it. The loaded Limited adds a 5.7-liter V8 engine, leather seats with heated fronts and a four-way power passenger's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear heating and air conditioning, power-adjustable pedals, CD/DVD/HDD/MP3 player with navigation, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, power flip-up liftgate glass, power sun roof, ParkView rear back-up camera and twin tinted second-row skylights.

Available options include driver's eight-way and passenger's four-way power seats, an engine block heater, 20G hard drive audio and navigation system, ParkView rear backup camera, auto-leveling HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers, power rear liftgate, Uconnect hands-free communication system, rear heating and air conditioning, rear-seat DVD with nine-inch screen and a "popular equipment group" that includes heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, remote start and a 115-volt outlet. Four-wheel-drive choices include Quadra-Trac I (standard on four-wheel drive Sport), Quadra-Trac II (standard on four-wheel drive Limited) and Quadra-Drive II.

The 2010 Jeep Commander Sport has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting around $32,000., while the four-wheel drive model with Quadra-Trac I full-time four-wheel drive and Brake Traction Control System (BTCS) is closer to $34,000. The Limited starts around $41,000 and tops out just under $49,000 fully loaded. Our New Car Blue Book Values – which represent what people in your area are actually paying – can differ substantially, so be sure to give them a look before heading to your local Jeep dealership. The Commander is expected to hold an average resale value, on par with the Grand Cherokee, but well below the Honda Pilot and Toyota 4Runner.

The standard 3.7-liter V6 is adequate on- or off-road with light passenger and cargo loads, but would be underpowered with heavier loads or at higher altitudes. Steering is nicely weighted and fairly precise, while the on-road ride is surprisingly quiet and smooth. Braking is strong and fade-free. The hot-rod HEMI V8 is delightfully smooth and powerful at any speed, as you would expect. Given its hefty weight and high center of gravity, on-road cornering is not the Commander's forte, but truly impressive off-road capability is. Also impressive are the Limited's leather- and woodgrain-trimmed interior and ultra-comfortable front bucket seats.

HEMI V8 Engine
This smooth and muscular powerplant, named for its '50s high-performance ancestors, is an always-eager sweetheart, electronically tethered to your throttle foot. Despite its size, power and simple OHV (pushrod) valvetrain, it delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of 14 miles per gallon city and 20 miles per gallon highway, due to its Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which transparently disables four of its eight cylinders at light loads to conserve fuel.

Quadra-Drive II Active Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive
Jeep's most advanced four-wheel-drive technology, Quadra-Drive II uses front and rear Electronic Slip Differentials (ELSDs) to transfer up to all available torque to any individual wheel with traction. Standard with the HEMI V8 and available with the other two engines, it is as capable in difficult conditions as any system, either on or off the road.

Chrysler's modern HEMI V8 gets all the attention, but it is costly and, despite the best efforts of its fuel-saving MDS, less fuel-efficient than its more affordable stablemates. Potential buyers should test drive and consider the more frugal V6, depending upon their anticipated towing and hauling needs. The HEMI is more glamorous and more fun when you tickle its throttle, but you don't need 357 horses to cruise around town on level ground.

3.7-liter V6
210 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
235 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 (2WD), 14/19 (4WD)

5.7-liter V8 HEMI
357 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
389 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4350 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 (2WD), 13/19 (4WD)