2008 Jeep Commander

NEW FOR 2008:

- More powerful, flexible-fuel (E85) 4.7-litre V8

- Available MyGIG entertainment system

- Available hill descent control, hill start assist and trailer sway control

- Redesigned tilt/telescopic steering wheel with EVIC controls

- Available 115-volt power outlet

- Available 8-inch DVD video screen

- Available touch-screen navigation system

For 2008, the Jeep Commander receives several new available features, including a 4.7-litre V8 that accepts E85 ethanol fuel, and makes 305 hp and 334 lb-ft of torque, compared to 235 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque in the 4.7-litre engine it replaces.

A seven-passenger model based on the Grand Cherokee, the Commander comes with a choice of three engines: a 3.7-litre V6, 4.7-litre V8, or 5.7-litre Hemi V8. The 3.7-litre is base in the Sport, which can be optioned to the 4.7-litre; the Limited comes with the 4.7-litre and can be optioned to the 5.7-litre. The Hemi engine includes multi-displacement (MDS), which seamlessly shuts off four cylinders under light load for improved fuel economy.

Three four-wheel drive systems are available: the Quadra Trac I, with a single-speed transfer case that provides full-time 4WD; Quadra-Trac II, with full-time active 4WD that routes up to 100 per cent of torque to either axle in case of wheel slippage, and electronic shift with low-range gear; and Quadra-Drive II, with electronic limited slip differentials. Qudra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II come with hill descent control, which provides downhill assistance at a controlled rate of speed; both also include hill start assist, which keeps the vehicle from rolling backwards during the transition from brake to throttle. Qudra-Trac I is standard on the Sport, which can be optioned to the other two systems; the Limited comes with Quadra-Trac II, and can be optioned to Quadra-Drive II.

Features on the Commander Sport include 17-inch aluminum wheels, air conditioning, four-wheel disc brakes, vehicle information centre, fog lamps, heated mirrors, ParkSense rear backup warning system, CD/MP3 stereo, power locks with keyless entry, roof rack, cloth seats, 40/20/40 folding second-row bench seat, 50/50 split-folding third-row seats, eight-way power driver's seat, engine immobilizer, cruise control, tire pressure warning system, speed-sensitive variable intermittent wipers, and fixed intermittent rear wiper/washer.

The Limited adds dual-zone climate control, third-row manual temperature control, MyGIG entertainment system, SIRIUS satellite radio, driver's position memory, SmartBeam intelligent headlamps, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, rear backup camera, power-adjustable pedals, roof rail crossbars, four-way power passenger seat, leather-wrapped wheel, power-adjustable pedals, power sunroof, and rain-sensing wipers.

Advertised as the only Trail Rated seven-passenger SUV ? although it's questionable how many drivers go off-roading with that many people along ? the Commander is more about luxury than grunt. It's well-equipped and well-finished, although as with many three-row SUVs, the Commander's third row is a tight fit for adults, and cuts into cargo space when the seats are up. The V6 isn't always up to the task of hauling this big vehicle around, and with its power increase, the 4.7-litre will probably be the best combination of performance and fuel figures.