7 February 2011
Going commander
Blokes hardly risk being called a 'girly man' when they pull up to the mates BBQ in a Grand Cherokee, but should you want to turn up the macho a notch or two, Jeep's new seven seat Commander SUV could be worth a look.
The exterior styling draws cues from classically boxed-shaped Jeeps before it, like the Wagoneer and XJ Cherokee. We think the retro lines would look as at home on an American wood-veneered station wagon circa the 1970's, as they would on a U.S military vehicle. Its appearance is all American, and as subtle as a professional wrestler.
Yankee vehicles aren't renowned for their humility, so the imposing stature, distinctive linage and self-confident nameplate seems patriotically apt for the Commander.
Shock Horror then to discover the Commander (and the Grand Cherokee for that matter) is assembled in Austria!
Well not really, it comes from DaimlerChrysler's plant in Graz, Austria, which happens to be the motherland of Commando hardman and beefy all-American governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger... Must be something in the water.
Allen key fastener heads dot both the exterior and interior and give the vehicle a machine-like quality, suggesting the Commander is a little more rough and tumble workhorse than dressed up Soccer-mom SUV. Ironically, almost all of the fasteners are actually fake and only for entirely 'decorative' purposes.
Nothing decorative about the drivetrain however, and Chrysler Jeep offers the Commander with two engine options. The superb 3.0 litre diesel as used by Chrysler's technology partner Mercedes Benz, paired to a smooth and responsive five-speed automatic trans. Also the much loved 5.7-litre Hemi petrol engine, again mated to a five-speeder auto and making use of the clever cylinder deactivation system (MDS).
Diesel and petrol power units produce 160kW @ 5200 rpm and 240kW @ 5000 rpm respectively, and both develop high levels of torque, (510Nm @ 4000 rpm diesel, 500Nm @ 4000 rpm petrol). The low down grunt was predictably most impressive in the oil burner which displayed ample pulling power under load.
The torque is also an essential asset that proved invaluable, along with Chrysler Jeep's excellent electronically controlled centre differential, as we took command of deep mud ruts and river crossings during the vehicle's press launch.
The front and rear limited slip differentials are electronically activated also, providing maximum torque to a slipping wheel after only one-quarter rotation.
The Commander shares the Grand Cherokee's platform and wheelbase, much of the suspension componantry is also consistent between the two; interestingly though the heavier Commander feels the more adept on the road. This can be attributed in part to the wider footprint, and the seven seat Jeep benefits from a 14mm wider track front and rear.
Not extending the wheelbase from the Grand's five-seat configuration however means seven seat configuration isn't as bounteous as the heavy-duty exterior styling might suggest
To fit all three rows of seats Jeep have staggered the rows vertically, like a grandstand. Second row seating can accommodate three adults although legroom is not the best in class, third row seating, like most seven seaters is reserved mainly for children.
Triple zone climate control will go a long way to making rear occupants more comfortable, and for those with a fondness of backseat astronomy, the roof features two skylights (non-opening) in the rear.
With the second and third row seating folded to a flat load floor, real-life action heroes have more than enough room for hunting equipment, surfboards or mountain bikes a plenty.
Safety features include multi-stage front and curtain airbags, but side (torso) airbags are not optioned. An anti-roll mitigation system (ARM) also comes as standard fitment.
The Commander pumps a lot of iron for the money, available in one high spec level only, it comes in at a premium of only $1000 over the Hemi and diesel Grand Cherokee variants. Although we feel a re-alignment of the Grand Cherokee's pricing can be expected when the SRT-8 version is introduced later this year.
Commander is available now, and is priced $79,900 for the Hemi or diesel.