Design Car Jeep Commander

Jeep Commander Design

Most of the Commander's engineering went into off-road performance, and reviewers say it shows. The Jeep Commander is a niche vehicle for people who like to go off-road and need a lot of passenger room.

However, reviewers say that the passengers you haul down the trail in the Commander won't be happy campers. While some high-tech interior features, like Chrysler's uConnect multimedia entertainment system are available, the Commander just isn't as comfortable as competitors. What's more, it's rough on-road ride and thirsty engines make it tough to justify when compared to class leaders.

While the Commander has one of the lowest prices in the Large SUV class, its poor performance and inhospitable interior mean you may want to shop elsewhere. If you're looking for a comfortable SUV with plenty of seating space and towing capabilities, check out the Chevy Tahoe. Though it doesn't have the off-road chops of the Commander, some critics say it can handle the off-road terrain that most consumers will throw at them. If you just need people-moving ability and don't plan to go off-road or tow, check out the Chevrolet Traverse. It can seat as many as the Commander, costs a little less, is more comfortable to drive and gets better fuel economy. While it isn't as rugged as the Commander, if you can confine your driving to the pavement, it may be a better choice for you.

Jeep Commander Interior

Slide inside the Commander's cabin and you'll find yourself enveloped in comfortable seats. An upscale two-tone decor makes for an attractive interior, but there's too much hard plastic for an SUV in this price range. (The Limited is a bit nicer.) There aren't any midsize SUVs that offer truly spacious third-row seating; still, even by these low standards, legroom in the Commander's third row falls short and is suitable only for children. Cargo capacity is unspectacular as well, largely because of the packaging issues created by the Jeep's solid-axle rear suspension and generous ground clearance. The SUV offers 7.5 cubic feet with all three rows in use, 36.4 with the third row stowed and 68.9 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. These numbers would be OK for a compact SUV, but they're minuscule for a midsize sport-ute.

In reviews, we've praised the Jeep Commander for its off-road capabilities and powerful available V8. Opinions about ride quality are mixed; some have found the Jeep to provide a tranquil ride but others, expecting a more secure feel, deem it wallowy. Handling on pavement is competent for a nearly 5,000-pound vehicle, but not the least bit sporting. The base V6 doesn't hustle the Commander with much authority. The 5.7-liter V8 is both powerful and relatively fuel-efficient.