2009 Jeep Commander

The Jeep Commander offers more capability over rugged terrain than most drivers will ever need. It can haul up to seven people and a lot of stuff just about anywhere it can fit. It's also surprisingly refined, a fact belied by its rugged, utilitarian looks. The Commander is surprisingly smooth and spry. As suggested by its slab-sided styling, the Commander offers utility and a roomy, airy cabin. The rear seats are progressively stepped up, theater style, giving back-seat riders a view of the road. This feeling of airiness is enhanced by a pair of glass roof panels, though the third row is best reserved for 10-year-olds. Utility comes in the form of a perfectly flat cargo floor when the rear two rows are folded down, providing 68.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Those in the front seats enjoy a comfortable cabin, much of which is shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Belied by the utilitarian styling, however, is the Commander's responsiveness and ride quality. It rides surprisingly well for a tall, seven-passenger SUV. On the highway, the Commander is a notably smooth and comfortable cruiser. It's reasonably quiet, allowing easy conversation, a pleasant surprise given the squared-off styling and all-terrain tires. The tall ride height and off-road capability make the Commander handle poorly, though. While not tippy, the Commander is prone to body lean in turns and heavy braking, and isn't as nimble as the latest crossover SUVs. But any self-respecting off-road enthusiast understands this going in. A choice of V6 and V8 engines is available. The top-of-the-line 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is upgraded for 2009, gaining 27 horsepower and 14 pound-feet of torque. The Hemi makes the Commander downright quick and is best for those who need to tow trailers up to 7,400 pounds. The mid-line 4.7-liter V8 offers fairly responsive acceleration and a 6,500-pound towing capacity, making it a fine choice in the Commander. Two-wheel-drive models are available, though that seems a curious choice because Jeep's highly capable four-wheel-drive systems are among the Commander's most compelling features. Buyers who don't need off-road capability might be better served by something else. The 2009 Commander offers a new 9-inch rear DVD screen, auto-leveling xenon headlights, an iPod interface, and a new entertainment system called UConnect GPS with a 30 gigabyte hard drive.