http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102045









It’s so cleverly hidden behind the luggage rack that at first glance you don’t notice the Jeep Commander’s key feature. The stepped roof yields more than three inches of headroom for third-row passengers, and Jeep’s first third-row seat is the whole point.

Jeep cites the seven-seater’s “traditional” design heritage in the Cherokee, but the boxy, upright shape is especially meaningful to the packaging. It maximizes cabin and cargo room in a vehicle only two inches longer than the Grand Cherokee with which it shares a platform. Keeping the size down allows trail-rated performance, and may help Jeep escape the softening of the market for the biggest sport/utilities.

Commander shares Grand Cherokee’s 109.5-inch wheelbase and its base V6 and rear-wheel drive, but also offers a choice of V8 engines (4.7-liter PowerTech or 5.7-liter Hemi) and three full-time 4x4 drivetrain options. Production of the 2006 model starts this fall.

 

This definitely is a nominee for the "Ugliest New SUV" award. Thing looks like a lunch box. Why such the boxy shape I dunno. And dont give me that "theres more room"crap either. Reminds me of a bigger and longer Jeep Cherokee, where the boxy design was more suitable, but I guess that didnt do to well either because its discontinued. Why do they think it will work in 2005?? After all the new cars they've been introducing, I guess the 300C is still the only one that most will like. What a turn around.

 

Boy that thing is old looking!

 

I have to agree with you about this Jeep "Commander" (what's up with the U.S.-heavy Jeep model designations - Liberty, Commander ... what's next - Jeep Arctic Warfare?)

I don't think that this will be very successful. The only reason the only concievable competitor, Land Rover, can get away with ****-ugly designs (save for the Range) is because people avoid them like the plague due to reliability problems - and some people mistake that vehicular exodus for exclusivity.

If people want 7-person seating and don't want to pay a whole lot - they'll turn to a generally reliable Ford or GM truck-based behemoth. If they have the money to burn - they've got a lot of options. That is to say - I wonder from what part of the market Chrysler/Jeep thinks they'll be siphoning sales ...

Case-in-point: Durango - have you seen the sales figures ... not good.

Large SUV's are and have been for some time totally imprudent, but are now increasingly losing popularity. With the success of the 300 - I'd think Chrysler would be funnelling cash into the "next" or a complimentary sedan or wagon.

M.

 

I guess " ugly " is a relative thing....I don't think this vehicle, by SUV standards, is particularly ugly at all. To me it's borderline handsome.....certainly better than the Nissan Murano or Pontiac Aztek. The boxy shape, which is reminiscent of past Cherokees and the Isuzu Trooper II of the 1980's, is very space-efficient......critical in a large SUV.
What is going to hurt this vehicle...especially if they stick the Hemi in it, even with the Hemi's cylinder shutdown feature.........is not looks, but the GAS prices that we are going to see later on....hold on to your hat for that one, folks.

 

It looks like the new Range Rover!

 

I doubt gas prices will shoot up much beyond $2.50/gallon in the near future (1-2 yrs). Reason being: once everything in Iraq is in place - that being the oil infrastructure and the U.S.-friendly gov't - we'll be getting royalties in the form of unofficially set prices along with nearly all of Iraq's supply.

And I'm sure that'll **** OPEC and the EU off something royal.

Of course, that's only my unsubstantiated speculation.

BTW MMarshall: I was up in your part of town recently. I might post some pictures from my trip in another thread. D.C.'s changed a lot since I was there last in '98. What's with that "Tree Conservation Program" nonsense around the Capitol grounds? I know all about the Visitor's Center they're building underground ... but what vehicles or pedestrians, besides the construction vehicles and workers already permitted inside the barrier, would ruin the trees on the grounds - so much so as to necessitate a massive barrier? Doesn't make any sense ...

All the road traps and police officers ... the D.C. P.D. is a LOT friendlier now than they were before. They are always quick to ask you where the F* you're going and why and how you plan to get there and let me search your backpack and please step into my van .... maybe not all of that - but it was pretty rediculous. Just rolling around for an hour - I was confronted 4 times about my intentions and destination. Apparently it's become a crime to gawk at all the security and take pictures of it.

M.