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2006 Jeep Commander: 7 Passenger Trail Trekker
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By Matthew C. Keegan
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Jeep has finally done it. A 7 passenger trail rated Jeep is nowavailable at a dealer near you. Long a maker of manly SUVs, theCommander holds true to form as it can easily be taken off roadas well as down the highway. Unlike more pedestrian models, theCommander looks every bit the rugged vehicle that it is. ForJeep fans who need the extra room the Commander offers space notavailable in any Jeep since the Wagoneer was retired ageneration ago. Let's take a look at the 2006 Jeep Commander,the focus of this review.
So, why build a seven passenger Jeep? To give customers achoice, that's why. With existing models able to carry only fivepassengers or less, the Commander meets the demand for a largermodel. Instead of losing sales to GM or Ford, Jeep is now ableto offer a vehicle that will keep customers from leaving forbigger and roomier models.
The Commander looks a lot like the Cherokee, which was retiredin 2001 after an 18 year run. The boxy Cherokee was a favoritewith many and the Commander successfully incorporates theCherokee's look and body style.
As it is, the Commander is not a huge beast. At just two incheslonger than the Gran Cherokee, the Commander makes use ofavailable space without adding a tremendous amount of bulk.
Key features of the Commander include:
3 engine choices: a 3.7-Liter V6; 4.7-Liter V8 MPI; 5.7-LiterHEMI? Multi-Displacement
2 transmission choices: a pair of five speed automatics
3 four wheel drive systems
Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
3 Sound Systems: AM/FM Stereo with CD Player and ChangerControls; an AM/FM Stereo Radio w/In-Dash 6-Disc CD/MP3 Player;or a DVD-based GPS Navigation System with 6-CD/MP3 Changer
Leather trimmed or bucket seats
Supplemental Side Curtain Air Bags In All Rows
The usual accouterments including air conditioning, bucketseats, power everything, etc.
Jeep gives owners the option of owning a traditional rear wheeldrive Commander or 4x4 models. Base price for the entry levelCommander starts at just over $28,000 while the fully loadedCommander Limited retails at just under forty thousand. Pricesfor the Commander are on par with those in its class.
I like what Jeep has done with the Commander and think that youwill too. I am, however, holding my breathe as Jeep prepares tointroduce its first non-trail rated model [sacrilege] next year;in the meantime the Commander carries on the Jeep tradition withmuch distinction and aplomb.
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