SUV Test drive Jeep Commander 2005 - 2007 SUV
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The trend of cubism in the auto industry is supported by the flagship of the model range of Jeep Commander. He shares one platform with Grand Cherokee, but it looks much more massive and formidable. The Commander body is only 47 mm longer than the Grand Cherokee, but thanks to this delta it was possible to install another series of seats and ultimately get a seven -seater salon. In Russia, the Commander since the beginning of 2006, and it was sold at first with only two gasoline engines (4.7 and 5.7 liters, 231 and 326 hp). At the end of February, a new version with a 213-horsepower 3-liter diesel engine appeared in the lineup.
In a spacious salon, first of all, you pay attention to the windshield, it is almost vertical and it seems that you can’t reach it. The interior responds chopped appearance, the interior decoration looks frankly condo, here the model is largely echoing with Cherokee, close to Commander in spirit. The front panel made of hard plastic is fixed around the perimeter with severe bolts displayed, no flimsy clips and pistons. Soft surfaces once, two and counted: a leather steering wheel, the upper part of the door decoration, and even seats covered with light skin. On the go inside, the soundproofing is relatively quietly made in good faith, however, they sometimes creak on the off -road panels. The chair is allowed to adjust three standard electroregulations plus a lever lumbar back; There is a memory for two riders, and mirrors are programmed along with seats. When the ignition is turned off, the chair automatically drives back, facilitating the output.
The steering column is set only in height, the departure adjustment is replaced by the servo drive of the pedal unit. The legs for the legs in the second row zone turned out to be unexpectedly unexpectedly, given the dimensions of the jeep. The backs here can not only fold, but also be adjusted by tilt by putting the back vertically, you will do a good deed for someone who huddles in the back row. It is better to send the smallest, young and flexible passengers to the third row (you still have to manage to get there), it will be more freed in the main compartment. By the way, a separate climate control panel is provided for the rear row passengers. The trunk can be called conditional, fifteen centimeters behind the third row is perhaps for a couple of cases. We need to transport the washing machine we put the rear seats on the shoulder blades and have a volume of 1028 liters. And, having folded the seats of both rows, we get almost two cubic meters of free space. At least take the lining ...
We got a car in the Limited configuration with a 326-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi engine. He energetically drags a three -ton car with idle revolutions (about 600 rpm), and by 4000 revolutions the eight -cylinder monster will fierce and is able to inform the heavy SUV incredible acceleration. Perhaps Commander will be good as a tractor, you can cling to both the house on wheels and a trailer with a yacht. But he also eats a jeep with such a motor for four, with dynamic movement in the city, the fuel consumption reached 30 liters per hundred. The MDS system is designed to protect the wallet, which disconnects part of the cylinders with unhurried movements according to the manufacturer, this saves up to 20% of the fuel. 
The automatic box is configured in a comfortable way, the transmission is not too quick, but it seemed that the 5.7-liter HEMI is indifferent. It is worth noting a very sensitive gas pedal, slightly pressed his nose up, jump forward. Slightly released Commander pecks his nose. Such a setting requires the driver of maximum caution when maneuvering in constrained conditions, for example, in the parking lot.
The drift of the off -road becomes difficult: he was a little overwhelmed with traction, and the wheels immediately break into a slip, even with blocked differentials. In the fragmented mud on the slope, you can crawl down sideways for quite some time, until the electronic collar guesses to strangle the engine. Diagonal hanging for the Commander seeds, although the separation from the coating occurs somewhat earlier than we would like. The transmission Quadra-Drive II is always on guard and is ready to work out this provocation with a bang. In Russia, two options for all -wheel drive are proposed to choose from. Quadra-Trac II has electronic control of the reducing nearby. A more complicated Quadra-Drive II transmission is equipped not only with a lowering gear, but also with differentials with automatic blocking ELSD (Electronic Limited Slip Differentials).
On a broken country, a soft suspension with large moves easily copes with threatening sizes with bumps and potholes. The little things do not reach the body at all. On the Highway Commander habits, it is lazy in protracted turns, and is quite capable of ensuring an attack of sea disease to passengers with a weak vestibular apparatus. With the intensive movement of the damping capabilities of the suspension, sometimes there is not enough, the body has a tendency to swing on gentle waves, and the unsproveed masses constantly make themselves felt. With provocations of the skidding, the stabilization system does not stand on ceremony and, not allowing the car to be racked, overlaps the fuel supply, selectively slows down the wheels and flies the car in the desired trajectory. 
The force on the steering wheel is small, information about what is happening under the controlled wheels, the steering provides a minimum. The brakes are moderately gripped, informative, at the same time the pedal has a decent move. ABS enters into work with some delay and allows a complete blocking of the wheels, this allows the driver to control the shower on the verge of blocking on a drooping off -road or on an icy coating. The developers paid increased attention, Commander, one of the first cars of the company equipped with a overturning system. Using sensors, electronics determine the likelihood of an overkil, and if it decides that it is inevitable, the NEXT Generation airbags with multi -stage gas filling and the curtains of safety are ahead of the lead.
For whom is this car? First of all, for those who are ready for off -road adventures, but not too serious. After all, Commander is not an uncompromising jeep. He is comfortable, and at the same time it will allow improperly to be a lot, much more than some newfangled crossover. The motor is almost 6 liters for those who love intensive accelerations, but only on the straight free road there are a lot, soft suspension and fuel consumption make themselves be kept within the framework. Jeep Commander cope with the role of a universal car better than maintaining the status of an expensive prestigious car. One way or another, the fans of the legendary brand will certainly appeal. 
The main competitor is perhaps the aristocrat of Discovery 3. An Englishman with a 300-horsepower engine, ceteris paribus, will be equipped with a pneumatic suspension with adjustable road clearance. The most affordable version of Commander will cost 46,700. For this money, the buyer will receive a car in configuration with Sport, including the front, side and window PB, cruise control, air conditioning, on-board computer, CD-resort and 6 speakers, 17-inch wheels, central locking with Du. This option is equipped with only 3 l diesel (217 hp) and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Limited equipment is supplemented with separate climate control, leather seats, rain sensor, heated seats and memory of electric drive settings. Higher class audio system. The cost of the machine in this configuration is 54,200 per diesel option and 52,400 for gasoline, with 4.7 liters of a motor (231 hp). A car with a 5.7 liter engine (326 hp) is supplied in the trimations of Limited (61 700) and Overland (64 300), the latter differs, in particular, 18-inch discs painted in the matte titanium exterior details, with the internal decoration of the skin , suede, wooden inserts.
Source: Motor magazine [March 2007]
