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2008 Jeep Commander
2008 Jeep Commander
Change of Command
The Jeep Commander is a seven-passenger SUV with retro styling and truck-like underpinnings.
Essentially, the Jeep Commander is a Jeep Grand Cherokee that’s been stretched by just two inches. Rather than just add a third-row seat to the Grand Cherokee, however, Jeep created the Commander as an entirely new vehicle to accommodate two extra passengers.
With its sharp-edged lines, an upright windshield, bold front grille and a boxy shape, the Commander pays homage to classic Jeeps. The Commander has a stepped roofline, which increases headroom.
Four adults can ride in comfort and five can squeeze in a pinch. Only smaller children will want to ride in (or be able to climb into) the Commander’s third-row seat.
The Commander sports a two-tone instrument panel that features large, round gauges and unique steering-wheel and shifter-knob designs. Both the second- and third-row seats can fold forward to form a flat surface. The top Limited model includes a conventional sunroof and twin skylights over the second row of seats, complete with sunshades.
The Jeep Commander features electronic roll mitigation, which uses multiple sensors to deploy optional side-curtain airbags in both single-vehicle rollover collisions and side-impact crashes.
Other significant safety features include the standard Electronic Stability Program, traction control and antilock brakes, all of which work together to maintain traction in varying conditions. Three full-time four-wheel-drive systems are offered in addition to rear-wheel drive.
The base model of the Jeep Commander comes standard with a tepid 3.7-liter V6 engine. A passable 4.8-liter V8 is optional on the base model and standard on the Limited version. This V8 powerplant can be optionally specified in a flex-fuel configuration to run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol, a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. A potent 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is included with the Overland variant and optional on Limited models. It has cylinder deactivation, which shuts down half of the cylinders in less-demanding driving situations to help boost fuel economy.
All three engines are mated to a five-speed automatic transmission that includes manual-shift capability. Base models tow up to 3,500 pounds. Commanders with the mid-level V8 can tow 6,500 pounds and Hemi-equipped models can tow 7,200 pounds.
The Jeep Commander rides on an independent suspension in the front and a live axle, five-link suspension in the rear. While this is the most modern suspension setup in Jeep history, it still offers truck-like ride and handling characteristics, which means it’s less comfortable and stable on pavement than a car.
In the Jeep tradition, the Commander is designed to handle serious off-road use, even though most owners will rarely use the vehicle in this way. It has nearly nine inches of ground clearance and sculpted front and rear overhangs that let the Commander climb and descend steep grades.
Front side and side-curtain airbags are standard. Notable options for the otherwise well-equipped Commander include rain-sensing wipers, SmartBeam adaptive headlamps, heated power seats, a tire-pressure monitoring system, navigation system, wireless hands-free cell phone communication system and an upgraded stereo with satellite radio; most are bundled in various options packages.
Is the Jeep Commander for You?
| Buy the Commander if | You want a full-size, rugged SUV that can tackle off-road terrain but is also decked out with high-end features; you need seating for seven; you need to tow a boat or other heavy equipment. |
| Keep Looking if | You never plan to go off-road and want a car-like ride on pavement, in which case the Jeep Compass or Jeep Patriot are worth considering. |
| Who Fits? | Four adults can ride in comfort (five in a pinch), while only smaller children will want to ride in the Commander's modest third-row seat. |
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