Alright..I'll be brutally honest! The Jeep Commander doesn't do a whole lot for me.
Not that it isn't a pretty nice SUV and all that, but it's...well...another compromise SUV designed to capture some of the family hauling, kid shuffling, people moving market.
I thought the Jeep Grand Cherokee served that niche quite well...and it does. However, in the evergrowing SUV automotive marketplace, competitive manufacturers seem to have a compulsion to try and please every consumer's needs and desires..almost to a fault.
The Jeep Commander was introduced in 2006. It is built on the same platform as the Grand Cherokee and shares most of the Cherokee's standard and optional features including engines and drive trains.
They both have the same wheelbase and track, with the Commander being slightly larger in the exterior.
The "boxy" look of the old Cherokee is back, but the Commander, and to a lesser degree the Grand Cherokee don't seem to have the same "Jeep" look and feel as the old style Cherokee.
There are some significant differences in the Commander and the Grand Cherokee. The Commander has a third back-seat allowing for more people toting (seats 7), while the Cherokee can only haul 5.
Being that both vehicles are essentially the same in most all of their respective dimensions, something had to be sacrificed to get those extra two people into the Commander.
You guessed it!...Cargo Space.
The Commander with a full load of passengers has minimal space available for such things as luggage, groceries, sports equipment, tools, or whatever else someone might want to haul around. However, with the third seat folded down you could still carry up to 5 passengers and have plenty of cargo space.
But......then you basically have a Grand Cherokee, at least in functionality. (The second seat can also fold down in both vehicles for more cargo space and again, less people carrying).
Lots-O-Cargo Space in the Commander with All Rear Seats Folded Down
So, it seems to my little brain that you have a bit more versatility with the Commander than with the Grand Cherokee, because you have a choice between more passenger space and at least equal cargo space.
Both come in two-wheel drive or optional 4-wheel drive models (independent front suspension only) with several increasingly more expensive package options available. They are roughly comparable in price all the way from base price to "all-the-bells-and-whistles" price.
My personal rather disinterested view of the Jeep Commander and the Jeep Grand Cherokee is that neither one is exactly my cup of tea...but...who knows?...they might grow on me in time.
Especially if they come equipped like this Commander.....
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Traded a Wrangler for a Commander?
My wife's brother Andrew (my brother-in-law) just traded his 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited for a 2007 Jeep Commander.
It certainly wasn't my favorite all-time vehicle, though it wasn't the worst I ...
'06 Commander Great ol' Jeep
I've always loved Jeeps. There's just something comforting knowing that you can go nearly anywhere at anytime for anything.
I was at training when my wife bought the Jeep and well it ...
Commander Used Too Much Gas
I used to have a Jeep Commander. It was hunter green. I enjoyed it, though I would normally use it for commute to and from work.
Eventually, I had ...
My 4x4 Commander
I currently own a silver 4x4 Jeep Commander. I have installed slightly larger but still all-terrain tires on it, since it is used a lot in town and on ...
When I was in the market looking for a big sized family sedan, I never thought ...
Jeep Commander in Kenya
Owning a Jeep Commander Sport, 5-passenger 4x2 was the greatest experience. I had good, bad and ugly experiences, but most of them led to the knowledge ...
Sold on my Jeep Commander
I currently own a Jeep Commander and I must say it is a great vehicle. It is comparable to the Dodge Nitro, but looks a lot better and has more space....
Hi, this is Larry..the author of this website. I know you hear a lot about how to build an online business...but nothing compares to what you will see when you click the box below. Proven simply the best!
