Driving Impressions
Equip the 2006 Jeep Commander with 4WD and the Hemi V8, and you’ll probably be pleased with the truck’s performance, except when it comes to fuel conservation, of course.
We tried several versions of the 2006 Jeep Commander during a one-day drive that included a variety of driving conditions, and came away from our drive favorably impressed with the V8 drivetrains. The standard 3.7-liter V6 offers just adequate responsiveness, but helps buyers who need the Commander’s space and want its design but not necessarily bigger, costlier cubic inches that require additional fuel. Obviously, the 4.7-liter V8 is a better choice if towing and hauling are in your future. But we would probably opt for the 5.7-liter V8 – and not just to be able to tell some observer that, yeah, it’s got a Hemi. Rather, the biggest engine transforms the Commander thanks to its gobs of power. During our highway and city driving we noticed little noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) finding its way into the cabin. Given the tall greenhouse, you might expect lots of wind noise inside the Commander, but the cabin remained impressively quiet. The Commander’s suspension successfully smoothes out harsh roads, yet offers real off-road prowess whether you are climbing over rocks or traveling a rough trail into the backwoods. Not only is the ride quality quite good, but handling is also impressive on the road and off. Seating is comfortable as long as you’re not relegated to that cramped third-row seat, and all of the Commander’s switchgear is located in the right places. The gauges are easy to view and convey plenty of information so the driver can keep tabs on what is going on with the mechanical bits under the hood. Rear visibility is a bit obscured by third-row seat headrests that sit high, but to help combat this situation the Commander is equipped with a reversing proximity warning system that alerts the driver if a person or object is behind the vehicle. Overall, the 2006 Jeep Commander is a capable on-road or off-road SUV that offers plenty of interior room and amenities, meaning that it should command a high-place on your consideration list of seven-passenger SUVs. It is comfortable and makes traveling with a gaggle of passengers pleasant. Well, as pleasant as traveling can be with a bunch of family, friends or kids.
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