First Glance
If you love the look of the HUMMER H3, you're in for a treat. Jeep can arguably lay claim to the look of the Commander, which hearkens back to the Willys Station Wagons of the 1950s, the Wagoneers of the 1960s and the Cherokees of the 1980s. The classic Jeep six-bar grille is there all right, dipped in a coat of chrome for appeal. Big angular fenders look like they are secured to the body with allen bolts, a very tough-looking feature. The big flip-up rectangular rear glass hides a much smaller oval opening -- an odd shape that doesn't add much functional purpose.
Commander comes standard with 17" aluminum wheels that are just crying out for upsizing. My test vehicle wore optional ($820) chromed 17" aluminum wheels -- 20" would look even cooler, I have to admit. If Commander ever catches on with the customizing crowd, it presents an excellent palette for upgrades and flourishes. I'd love to see some big wheels and flared fenders bolted on, along with more chrome and flash. Anything you've seen done to an H2 could be done to the Commander with great effect.
Continued below . . .
In the Driver's Seat
Visible allen bolts (functional or faux, I'm not sure) appear to hold the dash in place.
Photo © Jason FogelsonCommander's front bucket seats are comfortable and supportive. The center row of seats are acceptable for adults, with plenty of head room but a little lacking in leg and hip space for a vehicle that feels as large as Commander. The third row of seats is for youngsters only. With Jeep's "theater seating," at least the kids will have a good view toward the front, and you'll be able to keep an eye on them in the rear view mirror. You won't be able to see much else in your rear view with the third row occupied, so use those side mirrors and change lanes carefully.
On the Road
For such a tall vehicle, Commander is remarkably sure-footed in 4WD trim. Power and handling ability are well-matched, and you'll find yourself scooting around town with some vigor. With 8.4 inches of ground clearance and a solid-looking set of skid plates, Commander should be able to conquer adverse conditions with grace. The 4WD Commander includes standard four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control and traction control. The HEMI package includes electronic limited-slip differentials front and rear. I didn't test Commander off-road, but I'd love to.
Journey's End
Commander takes Jeep style to the next level -- I'm just not sure if I'm ready to go there with it.
Photo © Jason FogelsonGeneral Motors covers the field with a wide range of SUVs that you should measure against the Commander, from the high-zoot Cadillac Escalade to the GMC Yukon to the Chevrolet Tahoe, not to mention the HUMMER H2 and it's less expensive sibling the H3. Ford's in the game in a big way as well, with the venerable Explorer leading the pack. Don't forget the Japanese -- Toyota's Sequoia and Nissan's Pathfinder are solid, capable vehicles that will move seven passengers from point A to point B, even if the journey leaves the pavement for a while.
For some buyers, only a Jeep will do. Commander takes Jeep style to the next level -- I'm just not sure if I'm ready to go there with it.






