Introduction

Jeep has long been known for vehicles that enable owners to go anywhere, do anything, at least in spirit. Jeep is expanding its product line, and in coming years it may include pickup trucks, crossover SUVs and youthful small sedans that drive like rally cars. Strictly speaking, this is not a new adventure for Jeep, which has offered a line of pickups (Gladiator) utility vehicles (Willys Station Wagons) and AWD cars (AMC Eagle) in the past. But in the new 2006 Commander, Jeep offers a capability no Jeep has had before: three-row seating and the ability to carry seven passengers. Equipped with a higher level of safety and security features than any previous Jeep, the Commander represents the first salvo in Jeep's upcoming product offensive.

Walkaround

The Commander is instantly recognizable as a Jeep, thanks to liberal use of Jeep design cues, such as the seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel wells, and squared-off lines with flat surfaces. Exposed Allen head bolts along the wheelwells and in the headlamp module are decorative, intended to create a technical look. The Commander is larger than the Grand Cherokee: longer by 2 inches and nearly 4 inches taller, due mostly to a stepped roof line that makes headroom for the rear-seat passengers. The stepped effect is concealed by a roof rack rail, which is standard on all models. Body sides are more vertical than those on most SUVs, consistent with Jeep design heritage. From the rear, the flat hatch and prominently squared-off D-pillar assist handles help define a boxier space that reminds us of the Hummer H2.

Interior Features

A sense of spaciousness is the reason customers will be attracted to the Commander. From the driver's seat, the Commander retains the cozy look and feel of a Grand Cherokee. The difference begins behind the driver, where the raised roof permits use of stadium seating, in which each row is higher than the one in front of it. Second- and third-row passengers have enhanced forward visibility. Overhead skylights add an airy feeling for passengers in the second row. The skylights are fixed and don't open, but they have pull-out shades to filter light and reduce heat. The third-row seats will accommodate an adult, but seem more likely to be designed for children in the eight- to 10-year-old range. To access the rear, the second-row seat flops forward, allowing a careful adult a reasonably easy path to one of the split-bench seats, which are divided 50-50. We hopped in and out a few times ourselves. My average size and weight allowed me to make my way into the third row with minimal effort. Still, the Commander is only a few inches bigger than a standard Grand Cherokee, so back-row seating is not ideal for taller adults and longer trips. The third row does have available rear heating and air conditioning controls, and nearby power points. Both the second- and third-row seats fold perfectly flat to create a load floor, and there is an L-shaped storage bin located behind the third-row seats. The arrangement means that there will always be a practical way to configure the Commander for either more passenger seating, or added cargo and gear. It strikes us as versatile, with few designed-in tradeoffs. The load floor height is relatively high, however, at 36.2 inches, meaning it requires extra effort to load cargo.