2008 Jeep Commander

When I first saw the exterior styling of the Jeep Commander three years ago, I thought it was brilliant for Jeep to go back to its roots and recapture the boxy profile made famous by its original Jeep Cherokee. The no frills design simply set a tone for what was a very capable off-road SUV.

The Commander offers three basic trim levels: Sport, Limited and Overland. The tester was the Overland trim, which featured big 18-inch wheels that further enhanced the go-anywhere attitude you get from the Commander.

One of my favorite standard features on the Overland model was the power liftgate. If you have groceries or your arms are full, you can wait just a couple seconds for the tailgate to open and close with the press of a button. The Overland trim is the luxury version that enhances a quiet interior cabin with two-tone leather seats, Bluetooth and a MyGIG navigation and music system. That liftgate shows the kind of thought Jeep put into who might be driving the SUV.

If you have kids, the Limited and Overland models have an optional Sirius Backseat TV and all models have an option for the rear-seat entertainment system. The Backseat TV is actually three children's channels delivered via satellite. So, watching cartoons and children's fare is even easier in case you forget the DVD or you just cannot stand another backseat showing of Kicking and Screaming.

A third row is big news for Jeep, but that's where the "big" stops. While second-row legroom is fine, the third row was way too tight for any adult. Cargo space also suffers a bit when compared to other models in this class. The space behind the third-row is only 7.5 cubic-feet, just 68.5 cubic feet with the second and third rows down, which is less than the class' average.

The great news is that there is a new version of the optional 4.7-liter V8 engine. It now makes 305 horsepower, up 70 horsepower over last year's 4.7-liter V-8. The base engine is a modest V6 and the high-end model is a 5.7-liter V-8. Besides the 4.7-liter V-8's additional power, it is actually slightly more fuel efficient. Optional on the Limited, and standard on the Overland, is a 5.7-liter V-8 rated at 330 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. I found the power on my 5.7-liter to be outstanding, available on demand, but every pump of the pedal made me feel it at the fuel pump a few days later.

The Commander engines are well mated to a five-speed automatic transmission that delivered fine shifts and smooth transitions in all traffic conditions. The boxy, higher roofline and off-road manners are appreciated inside, but they are a tough combo to keep from ignoring on any uneven or bumpy pavement.

Standard on Overland (optional on the Sport and Limited) is the advanced Quadra Drive II 4WD system. This will take you wherever you want to go off the road and on the pavement in snow and rain it is a security blanket equal to just about any vehicle on the road.

You will be impressed with the off-road technology delivered with the Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist, which are notable parts of the Quadra-Drive II 4WD system. The Commander can tow 7,400 pounds.

The Jeep Commander offers standard antilock disc brakes, stability control with rollover mitigation and full-length side curtain airbags. A five-star rating earner for its protection of front occupants in head-on collisions, the Commander is competent and confident.

Overall, at a base price for the Sport at $28,330, I love the look and feel of the Jeep Commander. I appreciate the new 4.7-liter V-6 and crave the 5.7-liter V-8 power, but fuel economy is what it is -- and in the end consumers will have to weigh great looks and capacity with economy.