Over the course of the past twelve months, I’ve racked up a considerable amount of

Commander has a few minor changes to carry it through '09. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

time behind the wheel of Jeep’s seven-seat Commander. Despite all odds - including the wallet-emptying trips to the gas pump, and my reluctance to put this particular test vehicle through its paces by taking it off road - it managed to find a soft spot in my heart. There was just something about it, the sense of adventure it possessed and the fact that its form truly follows its function, which is to take seven people off road in comfort.

Despite a major slump in full-size SUV sales, I still believe the Commander has potential for a modicum of market success due to its specific skill set. Sure it’s the only “Trail Rated” seven-seater on the market (which means that it's the only Jeep with seven seats), but more accurately it's one of a very select number of three-row vehicles that’s truly off-road capable, and it's smaller than Tahoe size and complement of fuel saving technologies should make it a favourite amongst adventurous families. And yet, the chopping block never seems too far away from reality, simply because demand for body on frame SUVs has dropped like a rock in water. Still, its demise will have to wait at least another year as Jeep has not only opted to keep the Commander around for 2009, but it has also ushered in a couple of significant changes.

The most important can be found under the hood. Jeep has added the new, second-generation 5.7-litre Hemi V8 to the Commander’s engine lineup.

It gets the Grand Cherokee's chromed wheels, but unfortunately not the turbodiesel engine. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

Last year, the 4.7-litre “semi-Hemi” Magnum V8 was upgraded with a twin-spark design, raised compression and a couple of other features that allowed it to produce 305 horsepower, up from 230-hp (250 hp in the “High Output” Dakota), a figure that put it uncomfortably close to the 335-hp 5.7-litre Hemi. Correcting this is the revised second generation Hemi (a full Hemi if you're not of the camp that doesn't consider it a 'real' hemi in the first place) that boasts variable valve timing, variable intake manifold and an increased compression ratio. This effectively gives it improved breathing abilities and resultantly higher output. At the same time, these characteristics allow the MDS cylinder deactivation system to operate for longer, improving fuel economy. In total, the new engine makes 357 horsepower and 389 lb-ft of torque.

Jeep has also tuned the base V6 model to provide better fuel economy with no sacrifice to power or performance. Though the figures have yet to be posted by Transport Canada, in the US Chrysler’s engineers have reduced its consumption allowing an additional mile to be driven on the highway with each gallon of gasoline consumed, without changing the engine’s horsepower or torque figures.

Talk about luxury! The Overland's cabin looks fantastic. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

As important as fuel economy is in this class, or for that matter its heavy-duty four wheel drive system, high ground clearance and short overhangs for blazing trails and climbing rocks, Jeep didn’t forget its customers’ desires in a daily driver. The ride is supremely comfortable, perhaps the best of any body-on-frame vehicle with a live rear axle, and it’s well-stocked with electronic safety aids like ESP (Electronic Stability Program), hill descent control and trailer sway control. The revised Commander is also fitted with more luxuries and upscale amenities.

This particular test vehicle came off the line with Jeep's Overland trim level, which is not available in Canada, but it’s identical in concept to the Grand Cherokee Overland. In Overland

Door panels are trimmed in stitched leather - a nice high-quality touch. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

trim, the Commander gets all the luxury toys and goodies, as well as the finest materials that are available in Jeep’s parts bin. For instance, the extra-comfy seats were trimmed in two different shades of leather (dark and light), as well as “Preferred” suede with contrast stitching. And while the Overland package isn’t new to US consumers, there are a few new additions for model year ’09 in the luxury department. Look carefully at the interior photos and you’ll spot leather trim on the tops of the door panels, as well as on the handbrake lever and door handle. Also, the eight small circular dashboard vents feature chrome surround rings to brighten up the appearance of the cabin. Small touches they might be, but these details exude a sense of quality that can only serve to impress consumers. Though the gauges remain the same, the instrument panel features a revised display that shows a much larger and notable “Eco” symbol that illuminates when the Hemi V8’s MDS is activated.

The same sort of changes can be found on the Commander’s exterior.

New "Eco" gauge illuminates when MDS is active. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

The basics remain the same, but a handful of minor detail-oriented changes help to drive the Commander’s appeal up. These include new headlamp bezels that integrate projector beam units which cover high-intensity discharge bulbs (standard on Overland, optional on Limited), body-coloured mirrors, chrome-covered door handles and 18-inch chrome-plated seven-spoke wheels borrowed from the Grand Cherokee Overland. They might be minor upgrades, but they help to build on the Commander’s rugged good looks.

It would take some serious re-engineering for Jeep to address some of the Commander’s flaws - a cramped third row and tiny cargo bay - but the brand has built up the Commander since its introduction to the market in model year 2006, and this year’s upgrades with the new Hemi and the added refinements makes the ’09 truck the best it’s ever been. At the time of writing Jeep hasn’t announced whether or not the Commander will be available in Overland trim here in Canada, nor has pricing been released. If there is something that Jeep can do to ensure the future success of the Commander, it would be to install the Grand Cherokee’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel under the hood. So guys, how about it?

Specifications (Jeep Commander Overland 4X4):

• Price Range (MSRP): $TBA
• Body Type: 5-door SUV
• Layout: front engine, 4WD
• Engine: 357 hp, 389 lb-ft of torque, 5.7L, 16-valve OHV V8 Hemi (std. 305 hp, 334 lb-ft of torque, 4.7L, 16-valve SOHC V8)
• Transmission: 5-speed auto w/AutoStick manual mode
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD, BA
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,788 / 1,900 / 1,826 / 2,781 mm (188.5 / 74.8 / 71.9 / 109.5 in.)
• Curb Weight (est.): 2,356 kg (5,214 lbs)
• Tires: 245/60R18
• Cargo Volume (behind 3rd row / 2nd row / 1st row): 212 / 1,028 / 1,940 L (7.5 / 36.3 / 68.5 cu.ft.)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy - 5.7): TBA
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive; 60/100,000 powertrain
• Direct Competitors: Land Rover LR3, Lexus LX570
• Web Site: www.jeep.ca

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(J003) Standard Metallic Paint

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(EKG) Engine: 3.7L V6

(DGJ) Transmission: 5-Spd Auto W5A580

(AEE) Mopar Chrome Edition Group

(26S) Quick Order

(DGQ) Transmission: 5-Spd Automatic 5-45RFE

(JL_) Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats

(AGS) Sun/Sound Group

(RSP) UConnect Hands-Free Communication

(EZH) Engine: 5.7L V8 Hemi MDS VVT

(25S) Quick Order

(AHX) Trailer Tow Group IV

(AHT) Trailer Tow Group