DriveTech

Jeep has entered into the full size SUV market just when it looked as though everyone was backing out.

But Jeep added a few twists to the full SUV market that buyers have really embraced. To start with, this is a full seven-passenger vehicle that's also capable of going off-road. The Commander borrowed the four-wheel drive system from its brother, the Grand Cherokee, so it comes with a well-proven system. And since it did come from Grand Cherokee, you have your choice of three different Quadra Trac systems and your choice of two transfer cases. Sit down with one of the North County Jeep specialists to make sure you get the system that fits your needs.

If 4X4 is not your cup of tea, opt for the two-wheel drive version that doesn't have choices of Quadra Trac or transfer cases, so you don't worry which is the best combination. You also get a choice of three engines, a 210-horse V6, a 235-horse V8 and the Hemi with 330 horsepower for towing. When it comes to transmissions, there's only one to worry about - a five-speed automatic with overdrive. You can manually shift the automatic on terrain that needs manual finessing.

Walk up to the Commander to notice the slight resemblance to the old Cherokee. There's a reason for that as it helps maximize the interior space, which the Cherokee was famous for. The Commander is four inches longer that the Grand Cherokee and has stadium-style seating that gives the rear occupants a clear view. The headliner is recessed into the roof for maximum headroom for folks in the comfortable third row seating.

The rear seats can be folded flat for cargo loading and I found the process pretty simple. You also have seat-fold down combinations, thanks to the third row splitting 50/50 and the second row splitting 40/20/40. With carpet on the backside of the seats and anchors, your load won't shift at the slightest turn or acceleration.

Sitting behind the wheel, notice the four very large instrumentation gauges that keep you informed about what is going on under the hood. A tire monitoring system at all four wheels is a standard feature. In fact, the Commander comes standard with just about everything you could ask for in a 4X4, seven-passenger hauler.

If you're like me and need places for stuff, the Commander comes through. There's overhead storage, storage to the left of the steering wheel, storage in the lower dash and a large storage area in front of the passenger that holds maps and the like. The cup holders are nestled in the center console where the shifter is located. The driver seat is very comfortable and can be adjusted eight ways. The steering wheel has tilt capabilities. The sound system is excellent, with AM/FM/CD player and changer controls and comes with six well-placed speakers.

North County Jeep added a few options that truly enhance the '06 Commander's features, such as rear A/C with separate controls, Class IV trailer hitch system, Quadra Trac II Active Full-Time 4WD and a 3.73 axle ratio for towing. Then, to keep the Commander cool, they added a heavy-duty engine cooler.

My test Commander had very vibrant "Inferno Red" with "Crystal Pearl Coat" paint. The 17X7.5 alloy wheels really set it off. Yes, it is a little boxy but it still has that "Commander" look to it. I also really liked the recessed roof rack. What I wasn't crazy about was the fuel mileage. My tester had the 235 horse-powered, 4.7-liter V8 that only gets 15 miles per gallon in the city and 19 MPG on the open road.

Safety features include front advanced multistage air bags, supplemental side air bags, enhanced accident response system, four-wheel traction control, brake assist, park assist, crumple zones and beams in the doors for maximum safety.

I was very impressed with the way the Commander drove, its acceleration and all the room you get inside. I'm not much on SUVs, but this Commander fit all my needs without being behemoth!

So if you need a seven-passenger SUV, put the Commander on your road test list. Right now, Jeep is offering "Employee Price Plus," which means this $32,415 Commander will only cost you $27,018, plus tax and license. Call North County Jeep in the Escondido Auto Park at (760) 438-9171 or stop by to take one out on the road (and maybe off-road as well).

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