2008 Jeep Commander Sport Utility Vehicle Review & Performance

Based on the Grand Cherokee, the Jeep Commander is the second-largest civilian-production Jeep in history. (The largest was the J-120/J-130 Gladiator pickup of the 1960s and '70s.) The Commander is two inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than the Grand Cherokee. The Commander's stepped roofline makes for excellent headroom for the rear-seat passengers, and the stepped effect is camouflaged by a roof rack rail.

The Commander is instantly recognizable as a Jeep, thanks to liberal use of Jeep design cues, such as the seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel openings, and squared-off lines with flat surfaces. Exposed Allen-head bolts along the wheel openings and in the headlamp module are decorative, intended to create a technical look.

Its body sides are more vertical than those on most SUVs, consistent with Jeep design heritage. From the rear, the flat hatch helps define a boxy space that reminds us of the Hummer H2. Jeep literature points instead to boxier ancestors within the Jeep family, including the 1946-65 Station Wagon, the 1963-91 Wagoneer, and the 1984-01 Cherokee.

The roof rack rail has three integrated tie-downs on each side. On Limited and Overland, assist handles extend from the roof rail down the back of the D-pillars, adding to the rugged, utilitarian appearance of the vehicle. The assist handles are black with chrome inserts on Limited, and black with platinum inserts on the Overland. On top of the rear bumper is a diamond-plate-texture step pad. The pad's nonskid surface is helpful when stepping on the rear bumper to gain access to the roof of the vehicle for tying down kayaks, bicycles and other gear.

Jeep has reached deep into its heritage to revive the Overland name. First built in 1903, the Overland automobile was the earliest ancestor of the Willys. Willys played an instrumental role in the development and production of the World War II-era Jeep, but was also the first automaker to seriously envision a civilian market for a military-style utility vehicle. The Willys Jeep debuted in 1946 and had its name shortened to just-plain Jeep in the early 1960s. Although the Jeep brand has passed through several owners since then, its lineage remains unbroken.

The cockpit of the Jeep Commander has a cozy, cocoon-like feel to it. The seats are nicely shaped and padded, and the steering wheel, a four-spoke design with cruise control buttons at the thumb positions, has the substantial feel of leather and exposed stitching on higher line models. The Commander has a tangible sheltering quality that immediately appealed to us. It's the kind of vehicle we'd like to get into on a cold, windy day.

At the same time, the Commander offers a sense of spaciousness. 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 Commander's raised roof permits use of stadium seating; each row is higher than the one in front of it, giving second- and third-row passengers enhanced forward visibility.

Up front, occupants enjoy a commanding view of the road. Head and leg room are plentiful. From the driver's seat, the controls are all within easy reach and are logically placed. The materials are decent for the price, but there are more hard plastic surfaces than top-line buyers might like. Commander offers good storage space, with a large center console, a decent-sized glove box with an open cubby above it, plenty of cupholders and other thoughtful cubby holes here and there.

The second-row seats are comfortable but are tight on leg room for taller passengers. The third-row seat will accommodate an adult, but seems designed for children in the eight- to 10-year-old range. To access the rear, the second-row seat flops forward, providing a careful adult with a reasonably easy path to the rearmost bench seat, which is split 50-50. Those of average size and weight should be able to make their 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 or for longer trips. The third row does have available rear heating and air conditioning controls, and nearby power points. In addition to providing comfort for children, the rear HVAC can be a relief to dogs on hot days.

Both the second- and third-row seats fold to create a perfectly flat 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 tradeoffs. The load floor height is relatively high, however, at 36.2 inches, meaning it requires extra effort to lift cargo up and in.

Jeep says the MyGig Multi-Media Infotainment system can hold 1600 songs. The MyGig Entertainment system doesn't have a navigation system and all its associated map information, so it hold twice as many songs. The rear-seat DVD package is now offered with Sirius Backseat TV. The TV has three channels, all aimed at kids: Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon. Two sets of headphones are provided, so front passengers can listen to Sirius radio while rear occupants watch the TV. With the car in Park, front passengers can watch TV on the MyGig screen.

The Jeep Commander is remarkably responsive around town for a seven-passenger SUV, a trait we noticed while driving them in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Its rack-and-pinion steering feels more precise than in many truck-based SUVs. Driving in rush-hour traffic reveals the Commander to be quicker, better balanced, and a little more conducive to aggressive driving than the average truck-based SUV, and far more so than its appearance suggests.

Still, the Commander is a tall and heavy and it suffers from copious body lean during heavy braking and in turns. When driving a Commander, you'll want to slow down more for turns than in most vehicles. Many car-based SUVs offer more stable carlike ride and handling than the Commander, and better fuel economy, too.

The Commander's 4.7-liter V8 engine delivers good throttle response around town, and with its 2008 upgrades is better than ever. The five-speed automatic transmission enhances the engine's responsiveness and features two second-gear ratios. Punching the throttle signals the automatic to kick down into the lower second gear to supply greater acceleration. Otherwise, a taller ratio with a smoother upshift is used. The effect is an energetic surge when you call for it, and a sense that you can control the transmission with your right foot.

We found the 4.7-liter V8 to be a fine all-around performer, leaving us to consider the 5.7-liter Hemi as a requirement only for those who plan to tow heavier loads. The Hemi is rated to handle up to 7,400 pounds vs. 6,500 pounds for the 4.7-liter V8.

The 3.7-liter V6 uses the same electronic throttle control as the V8s, but its EPA-ratings are only 14/19 mpg City/Highway, compared to 13/18 mpg for the 4.7-liter V8 and 13/19 (13/17 with 4WD) for the 5.7 V8. Given its fuel economy and power limitations, we would not recommend the V6.

The 4.7 offers the additional advantage of Flex-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capability, meaning it can run happily on gasoline or up to 85 percent ethanol (E85). Except, that is, in Maine, New York, Vermont, Connecticut and California, where the 4.7 remains a gas-only unit.

On the highway, the Commander is a notably smooth and comfortable cruiser. Jeeps are not the most aerodynamic vehicles in the world, but wind and tire noise seem unremarkable, well within the range of the average SUV and something less than in bigger, square-bodied truck-based 4X4s. It is easy to maintain a conversation using normal tones of voice, and easy to imagine this would be a fine vehicle for cross-country touring.

The advanced Quadra-Drive II system and a 2.72:1 low-range gear gives the Commander excellent capability, something we learned on rocky forest trails in the Pocono Mountains. This system supplies lots of traction, and the Commander has quick steering that makes it maneuverable in tight quarters.

The Goodyear Fortera tires, with their all-terrain tread, proved their worth as traction devices and suspension components, helping to soak up the lumps from rocks and logs, and maintaining a grip clearly enhanced by the Commander's electronic traction control.

Ground clearance is sufficient to negotiate rocky terrain, but the trail was challenging enough to create a few clangs and clunks when we touched the underbody. We found the Commander capable of going anywhere it will fit. The limitation would come if the Commander were used to cross steep, narrow gulches that call for extreme angles of departure because its longer body has more rear overhang than a Grand Cherokee. Nonetheless, for most people, there is probably more rough terrain capability built into the Commander than they will ever need or use.

The 2008 Jeep Commander comes in three trim levels: Sport, Limited, and Overland. All are available with 2WD or 4WD.

Commander Sport 2WD ($27,415) comes standard with a 3.7-liter SOHC V6, rated at 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard on Sport are cloth upholstery, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers, power windows, power heated mirrors, front bucket seats with lumbar adjustment, rear obstacle detection, liftgate glass that opens by remote control, all-terrain tires on 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, a full-size spare tire, and cruise control with switches on the steering wheel. For 2008, the tilting steering column adds a telescoping feature.

Commander Sport 4WD ($29,415) adds Quadra-Trac I, an automatic full-time all-wheel-drive system enhanced by electronic traction control.

A 4.7-liter SOHC V8 is available on Sport as part of an option package. It is rated 305 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. This engine also comes with a five-speed automatic, but a more heavy-duty unit with a split second gear that provides a shorter ratio on kick-down than on up-shift.

Limited 2WD ($36,305) comes standard with the 4.7-liter V8 and HD transmission, plus a wide array of comfort and convenience features, including leather-trimmed first- and second-row seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, Sirius satellite radio with one-year subscription, Boston Acoustics speakers, power adjustable heated front seats, power adjustable pedals, third-row heat and ventilation, sunroof, remote starting, rain-sensitive wipers, automatic headlights, universal garage door opener; and a security system. For 2008, the Limited model adds a standard rear backup camera and Jeep's MyGig Entertainment System, which has a 6.5-inch touchscreen and a 20-gigabyte hard drive to hold music and picture files. Limited can be distinguished by its chromed grille and exterior chrome accents.

Limited 4WD ($38,925) has Quadra-Trac II, a full-time active four-wheel-drive system that includes a two-speed transfer case (so you can select a lower gear range for crawling through seriously rugged, muddy, or sandy terrain; or neutral for towing); plus electronic traction control.

Optional on Limited is the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 (again, as part of a larger package), producing 330 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. The Hemi features the fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS) technology, which shuts down four of the eight cylinders under light-load conditions.

Optional with the Hemi is Quadra-Drive II ($795), Jeep's most sophisticated 4WD system. Three limited-slip differentials (one in each axle and one between the axles) are electronically controlled, sending torque to the wheels, or single wheel, with the best traction. The system also includes low-range gearing and traction control.

The top-of-the-line Overland ($40,385) comes standard with the Hemi and a trailer-tow group. It raises the interior plush factor with suede-trimmed leather seats embroidered with the Overland logo; leather-wrapped shift knob and grab handles; Berber floor mats; and woodgrain trim on the center stack, console, steering wheel (which is also leather-wrapped) and front door panels. Overland also adds conveniences, such as a power liftgate, UConnect hands-free cell phone link, and a cargo net. For 2008, Overland trades a standard navigation system for Jeep's MyGig Multi-Media Infotainment system, which adds voice control and a navigation system with real-time traffic to the MyGig Entertainment System. Outside, Overland is distinguished by Platinum-look trim, a unique wire-lattice grille and 18-inch wheels instead of 17s.

Overland 4WD ($43,850) comes with Quadra-Drive II.

Other Commander options include rear DVD entertainment system and engine block heater. For 2008, the rear DVD entertainment system is available with Sirius Backseat TV that includes three child-oriented channels: Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. An Off-Road Group for 4WD models adds skid plates and tow hooks. A Class III towing package is available with the V6, and a Class IV package with either V8. Additionally, many Limited and even Overland convenience features are offered as either options or part of option packages on lower-cost models.

Safety features that come standard include head-protecting side-curtain air bags with a roll detection system to deploy in case of rollover and/or side impact. Front air bags are the multi-stage type that deploy in stages according to the severity of an impact. Torso-protecting front side air bags are not offered. Also standard are anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist, electronic stability control, a tire-pressure monitor and rear obstacle detection. All-wheel-drive models have traction control. Available are a rear backup camera, hill-start assist, hill-descent control and trailer sway control.