The Jeep Commander is a mid-size SUV (2005–2010), and a mid-size crossover SUV (since 2021) manufactured and marketed by the Jeep division of the American car manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The 2021 Jeep Commander, based on the second-generation Compass but is stretched to provide room for the third row of seats, is aimed primarily at developing economies in places like Latin America and India. Brazil (August 2021) and India (April 2022) were the first to receive the car.
History of the Jeep Commander
Jeep Commander Concept Car
Jeep showed the Jeep Commander concept car at various auto shows in 1999. The concept utilized a straight methanol fuel cell for testing purposes, which then supplied power to a nickel metal hydride battery pack. A heavy-duty electric motor at each axle provided constant four-wheel drive. The concept's height was comparable to that of a standard Grand Cherokee. The exterior design heavily affected the next generation of Grand Cherokee, which wasn't due for another six years. There were zero connections between the Commander's idea and the final SUV.
Jeep Commander (2005–2007)
In 2005, for the 2006 model year, Jeep unveiled the first version of their flagship SUV, the Commander. The Jeep Commander was the second-largest mass-produced Jeep ever when it was introduced, standing taller and longer than the Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep Commander concept that debuted in 1999 has nothing to do with the production version in 2006. To diversify its offerings, Jeep has introduced a seven-seater SUV with three rows of seats for the first time.
The new vehicle was based on the same platform as the Jeep Cherokee, sharing the same unibody structure, independent front suspension, wheelbase, and track as the Cherokee. The Commander's base trim came equipped with a 3.7L V6 engine rated at 210 horsepower. A 4.7L V8 engine producing 235 horsepower was standard on the Limitbed model. Additional power was available in the form of a 5.7L V8 making 330 horsepower, an upgrade option.
A 5-speed automatic gearbox accompanied each engine.
Jeep Commander (2008–2010)
Like the XJ Cherokee, the Commander was based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee's platform and provided a seven-seat configuration. The Commander was known for its stolid demeanor, boxy appearance, and rough good looks. Large families or individuals who used to own a Jeep Cherokee XJ in their college years would find this car ideal. Despite the car's strong on-road and off-road performance, it failed to meet sales projections because of the global economic downturn. One obvious nod to earlier Jeeps can be seen in the squared-off shape of the headlights and the flat front fascia. It looked like a cross between a Grand Wagoneer and a Cherokee, thanks to its use of flat panels for the hood, fenders, and nearly vertical windshield. The manufacturer provided the option of seven seats spread throughout the car's three rows of seating. It had a spacious trunk with folded back seats, and that trunk might have been even bigger if the middle seat had been folded down as well. Jeep provided a 3.0L diesel for the European market, borrowed from Mercedes-Benz, and coupled with the ML-Class' 5-speed automated transmission (now called Autostick).
Jeep Grand Commander (2018–2020)
In China, from 2018 to 2022, Jeep will produce the Grand Commander, a mid-size crossover SUV with three rows of seating, with their GAC Fiat Chrysler partnership. The Grand Commander, foreshadowed by the Yuntu Concept, was unveiled in April 2018 at the Beijing Auto Show and released to the Chinese market in May of the same year. The Grand Commander, produced by the GAC-Fiat joint venture, sits above the domestically assembled KL Cherokee compact SUV. The Commander is a five-person variant. A new 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 powers the Grand Commander for the first time. A 9-speed automatic transmits power to the front or all four wheels. Despite its exterior similarities to the XK Commander (available in North America from 2006 to 2010) and its name, the Grand Commander is not a replacement for the XK Commander. It has no connection to the Commander manufactured in Brazil.
Jeep Commander (2022)
Since 2021, Jeep has been manufacturing the Commander, a mid-size crossover SUV called the Jeep Meridian in India. The Commander, which made its debut in Brazil on August 27, 2021, is based on the same Small Wide global platform as the Compass. Despite sharing a name with a Chinese-made product, this Grand Commander is entirely separate. It is sold as the "T270" in Brazil and is powered by a 1.3L turboflex gasoline engine. A 9-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive are standard on the "TD380" 2.0L turbodiesel model. The Meridian nameplate was first shown in April 2022 and produced in India on May 19. Production began in early May of 2022. The 2.0L turbodiesel engine is the sole powertrain option.
Price
For the 2022 model year, Jeep retails the Jeep Commander with a starting MSRP of 239,800 yuan, which is around $33,698.
Features of the Jeep Commander
Exterior Features
It has a two-tone finish and a boxy design, both of which add to its spaciousness and unique appearance. The plastic bodywork and the wheel arches are reminiscent of the Compass. It sports a seven-hole grille up front, chrome trim, LED lights in the bumper, lights on the front fascia, and lights that help the driver see in the dark. There are metal accents up front, rear lights, and a sizable tailgate (the handle is hidden).
Interior Features
It has seven seats that can be moved around or folded flat, and it's upholstered in brown or suede leather with striking bronze accents. It has a maximum cargo capacity of 233 liters, which climbs to 661 liters when two seats are folded down, and 1,760 liters when all seats are folded down. As long as the screen is at least 10.25 inches in size, the internal instrument panel can double as the display for both. Additionally, there is a 10.1-inch touchscreen display for media playback. It boasts a 450-watt sound system with nine speakers and a display that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The automobile boasts a panoramic sunroof and a set of 12V sockets in the trunk. Aside from the main apparatus, there are also remote-controllable electronic operating systems.
Specs and Performance of the Jeep Commander
The 2022 Jeep Commander 2.0L engine delivers 168 hp (125 kW) and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of torque. Jeep sold the Jeep Commander as a front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle with a 3-speed automatic Chrysler TorqueFlite A999 transmission. Dimension-wise, the Jeep Commander measures 4,769 mm (187.8 in) long, 1,859 mm (73.2 in) wide, and 1,682 mm (66.2 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,700 mm (106.3 in) with a curb weight that ranges from 3,655–4,206 lbs (1,658–1,908 kg).
Release Date
Jeep released the first Commander vehicles from 2005 to 2010. The last year you could buy a Jeep Commander was 2010. The 2011 Dodge Durango replaced it and is made at the same assembly plant as the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Jefferson North Assembly in Detroit, Michigan). In August 2021, Jeep released the 2022 Jeep Commander (mid-size crossover SUV), and in India in April 2022.