>As suggested by its slab-sided styling, the Commander offers utility and a roomy, airy cabin. The rear seats are progressively stepped up, theater style, giving back-seat riders a view of the road. This feeling of airiness is enhanced by a pair of glass roof panels, though the third row is best reserved for 10-year-olds.

Who needs 7 seats anyways?

DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler Group is leasing 2006 model year vehicles at a drastically higher rate than crosstown rivals General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. as it works to unload a glut of new cars and trucks.

Lease deals can help automakers boost sales because they typically offer lower monthly payments.

Dealers say Chrysler is making lease deals on 2006 models even more attractive by lowering lease interest rates, relaxing credit requirements and raising vehicles’ residual values.

I am not a fan of leases, because like renting your apartment, you end up with nothing. but, if your looking for a car and can’t afford a lot, this might be a good deal for you.

Other 2007 Chrysler Group vehicles that will support E85 are:

* Chrysler Sebring sedan and convertible with the 2.7-liter engine
* Dodge Dakota and Dodge Ram pickups and Dodge Durango SUV with 4.7-liter engine

Let’s hope that they get on making the 2008 Jeep Wrangler E85 compatible.
Technorati Tags: 2007 Jeep Commander, 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee, E85, Jeep, Ethanol

The following is from a DaimlerChrysler press release.

The 2006 Jeep® Commander has received the government’s highest rating for frontal-impact crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Jeep Commander’s five-star rating for frontal crash protection makes it the 11th new product from Chrysler Group to achieve the top safety rating in the governmental frontal crash tests.

“Chrysler Group is offering Jeep Commander customers peace of mind through more standard safety and security equipment and the application of a broad range of engineering technologies,” said Craig Love, Vice President – Rear-wheel Drive Product Teams, Chrysler Group. “The inherent stability and security we design in to all Chrysler Group vehicles is enhanced by both passive and active safety systems, whether driving on- or off-road.”

The new 2006 Jeep Commander includes the highest level of standard safety and security technology and features ever offered on a Chrysler Group vehicle. Introduced for the first time on the Jeep Commander, standard side-curtain air bags with a roll detection system deploys air bags in certain rollover and side-impact situations. In addition, Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Brakes, and 4-Wheel Brake Traction Control System are also standard on Jeep Commander. These are only some of the many safety and security features — designed in from the beginning — that provide the Jeep Commander with the ability to “go anywhere, do anything” safely and securely.

Starting with the Chrysler Pacifica in 2003, Chrysler Group has had 11 product launches that produced NHTSA-rated five-star vehicles for frontal crash protection. These vehicles include: Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler and Dodge minivans, Dodge Durango, Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram Quad, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Dakota, Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger and Jeep Commander.

The 2006 Jeep Commander is built at Chrysler Group’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, Mich., on the same production line as the award-winning Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Technorati Tags: Jeep Commander, Safety Rating

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Flop

Whats old is now made new again, but with a twist in the 2006 Commander. This is the first seven passenger Jeep, ever. For all of you who miss the rugged classic styling of the Jeep Cherokee that graced the planet from 1984 to 2001, then you will love the look of the new Commander.

Boxy is the name of the game, starting with a traditional seven-slot grille, which is flanked by circular headlight lenses in rectangular casings; the timeless lines carrying through to the upright windshield. You wont find any wimpy curves here, its all about solid and strong angles, paying homage to Jeeps military and off-roading roots.

While this Commander may have a bit of a retro look to it, there is a lot that is modern beyond the sheetmetal. Actually, it shares more than a few traits with the recently redesigned Grand Cherokee. Its two inches longer, however, which allows for a third row. The Commander and the Grand Cherokee share the same suspension, powertrain and 4×4 systems. Both incorporate rack and pinion steering and an independent front suspension. Built with the same underpinnings, the Commander is just as handy off road as its brother. The new SUV has earned the coveted Trail Rated designation, meaning it has been designed to certain standards when it comes to five categories: ground clearance, traction, maneuverability, articulation and water fording. So you can have a good time getting off the beaten track with six of your closest friends.

Read the whole article.
Technorati Tags: Jeep Commander, Jeep, Reviews

Personally, I wouldn’t want to spend $800 to put stickers on my $40,000 vehicle, but that’s just me.

From JeepNewsNow

Technorati Tags: Jeep Commander, Wood Paneling

bq. The Commander performs such chores with an undeniable presence, like it or not, and one with overtones of the Hummer. There is a blunt seven-slot grille, a bunkerlike greenhouse and squarish windows. While the Commander doesn’t compete directly with any of the three existing Hummers, it could be seen as a retort to a brand that has stolen some of the rough-and-ready image that Jeep used to claim exclusively. (The chicken-or-egg debate doesn’t end there, given that several of Hummer’s styling cues seem to have been borrowed from Jeep in the first place.)

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander