2009 Jeep Commander Review

Specifications

The 2009 Jeep Commander fails to impress even the most dedicated Jeep fan. It is basically a stretched Grand Cherokee with cramped third row seating that is a ‘kid only zone’ comfort wise. Granted, it is the only Jeep built “Trail Rated” seven-seat vehicle on the market but if the third row seats are only large enough for children and block most of the rear window in the process, there is little use for the vehicle. And although the name Jeep may be synonymous with American off-road heritage, anyone who has sat behind the wheel of the seven passenger Land Rover LR3 or Toyota Land Cruiser understands that the competition has comfort, capability and versatility wrapped up in a far superior package.

The Jeep Commander is available in the Sport 5 passenger, the Sport 7 passenger, the Rocky Mountain, the Limited and the top of the line Overland. These all come in a choice of 4WD and 2WD as well as a choice of three engines and two transmissions. The 3.7-Liter V-6 produces 210 hp at 5200 rpm and 235 lb-ft torque at 4000 rpm and most consider it underpowered for the 5245 lb vehicle. The 4.7-Liter V8 engine is considered the best compromise between the three engines at 305 hp at 5650 rpm and 334 lb-ft torque at 3950 rpm. The big boy of the three is the 5.7-Liter HEMI V8 that offers a 330 hp at 5000 rpm and 375 lb-ft torque at 4000 rpm. This new HEMI has a Multi-Displacement System (MDS) that deactivates four of the eight cyclinders during light acceleration or cruising. This system improves fuel consumption by up to 20% in most driving conditions. The range of fuel consumption between the three engines and 2WD or 4WD is small though - 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway for the 4WD HEMI next to 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway for both the 3.7L and 4.7L engines in a 2WD model.

All Jeeps have a look you either love or find mildly over the top and the Commander is definitely a Jeep. The boxy lines are more in keeping with the front end them the smaller and sleeker Compass and yet are not as pleasing as the Grand Cherokee. Although the body hardware has improved from the original 2006 model, most reviewers do not find that the quality is what you would expect for the price tag.

The interior is not much better. Fit and finish is again not high enough quality to fit the price tag although Jeep has done an excellent job on selling buyers with options. The 2009 Commander offers an optional front power sunroof with such refinements as express open/close and comfort stop. Included on the Sport model in the Sun and Sound Package is CommandView® Dual Skylights. Dual-Zone Climate Control comes standard on the Overland and Limited models and offers solar sensors and rear seat head and air-conditioning outlets so everyone inside the vehicle stays equally comfortable.

MyGig® Multimedia System w/ GPS Navigation allows you not only know where you are going like every other GPS system, it also allows you to take your favorite music, photos and DVDs along for the ride. Inside sits a 30gb hard drive so you can upload 4500 of your favorite songs or a few thousand photos through either a disc or a USB 2.0 port. Movies, Sirius TV and photos can be played on the cockpit nav screen when the vehicle is in park. Bluetooth technology allows for hands free calling and each Commander comes with a one-year subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio.

Available in the Overland and Limited Edition Commander is also Sirius Backseat TVâ„¢, another innovation from the fine folks at Sirius and is displayed on a second row 8″ flip down screen. Either the system can be controlled from the rear seat entertainment unit or if parental input is needed, at the radio unit in the front seats. Or enjoy the Rear Seat VES® Video Entertainment System that plays movies and has an auxiliary jack for hooking up a camera or video game. This system is optional on the Overland, Limited and Sport models.

Although speculation abounds, Jeep is giving the Commander another year before it goes to the chopping block. With the big price tag and little return, it will be surprising if we see a 2010 Jeep Commander but stranger things have happened.