Test Drive—2006 Jeep® Commander

Suspension & Stuff

On the Commander’s dark side there really are no fresh happenings. The front suspension comprises a short and long arm arrangement featuring coil springs, twin-tube coil-over shocks, dual A-arms and a stabar for a full independent front. In back is the expected live axle, five-link coil rear. Power rack-and-pinion steering assists in delivering a 36.7 ft. curb-to-curb turning diameter. Braking is managed by twin-piston vented discs up front and single-piston discs in back. ABS is standard, as is Electronic Stability Control. Wheels are of the 17x7.5-inch variety. The standard versions are machined-face aluminum, while Mineral Gray painted aluminum and chrome-clad aluminum are optional on the base and Limited models, respectively.

Driving Impressions

Jeep is pitching the Commander as a go-anywhere family SUV. To that end, the company has hit the mark. Interior space is almost decadent, and represents a definite improvement over anything else in the Jeep fleet in terms of passenger space, comfort and cargo capacity. On the highway the Commander handles as well as you would expect from a mid-level domestic SUV. The ride is comfortable, and handling is fairly precise for a vehicle of this size.

When the wheels leave the pavement, the Commander keeps on going thanks to its proven 4WD systems. The 34-degree approach and 27-degree departure angles give the Commander some leeway on the challenging trails, and the engine hold capability (steep incline at a dead stop) is absolutely superb. The Commander would certainly benefit from lower gearing for the more technical trails, but to gripe about that on a “family-oriented” SUV would probably be nitpicking.

On its own merits, the Commander is a well-styled sport utility vehicle that lives up to the traditions of its Jeep contemporaries for on-road refinement and off-highway capabilities, yet exceeds all as far as capacities are concerned. The design is definitely aggressive and, hopefully, will set the tone for future Jeep products.

—J Rations staff

2006 Jeep Commander Pricing

Commander 4x2 ($27,985 including $695 destination)

Commander 4x4 ($29,985 including $695 destination)

Commander Limited 4x2 ($36,280 including $695 destination)

Commander Limited 4x4 ($38,900 including $695 destination)

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Specifications

Transmission: W5A580 Automatic,
Five-Speed Overdrive

Availability: Included with 3.7-liter V6

Description: Adaptive electronic control or

Electronic Range Select (ERS) driver-interactive manual control and electronically modulated torque converter clutch

Gear Ratios:

1st: 3.59

2nd: 2.19

3rd: 1.41

4th: 1.00

5th: 0.83

Reverse: 3.16

Final Drive Ratio: 3.07:1 with 3.7L engine

or 3.55:1 with 3.7L engine and NV245 transfer case

Overall Top Gear: 2.55 with 3.07 axle

or 2.95 with 3.55 axle

Transmission: 545RFE,
Automatic Multi-Speed

Availability: Included with 4.7L and 5.7L

Description: Three planetary gear sets,

one overrunning clutch with Electronic Range Select (ERS) driver interactive control, electronically controlled torque converter clutch

Gear Ratios

1st: 3.00

2nd: 1.67 upshift; 1.50 kick-down

3rd: 1.00

4th: 0.75

5th: 0.67

Final Drive Ratio: 3.73 with 4.7L or 5.7L

Overall Top Gear: 2.50 with 3.73 axle

Transfer Case: NV140

Availability: Std. with 3.7L

Type: Single-speed, electronically shifted

Operating Mode: Full-time 4x4

Low Range Ratio: None

Center Differential Type: Electronically controlled

clutch pack torque transfer

Torque Split, Front/Rear: 48/52

Transfer Case: NV245

Availability: Included with 4.7L and 5.7L engines;

Opt. with 3.7L engine

Type: Two-speed, electronically shifted

Operating Modes: 4x4 Low (Lock),

Neutral; Full-time active 4x4

Low Range Ratio: 2.72

Center Differential Type: Electronically controlled