Jeep Commander sticker starts at $27,985
High-trim Limited version with Hemi V-8 priced at $40,395

By Dale Jewett
Automotive News / August 19, 2005

DETROIT -- The 2006 Jeep Commander, an SUV that is larger than the Grand Cherokee and shares its platform and assembly plant, will carry a base price of $27,985, the Chrysler group said Friday.

Production of the Commander started in late July at the Chrysler group's Jefferson North assembly plant here. Exterior styling of the Commander is patterned on the original Jeep Cherokee.

The base two-wheel-drive Commander is powered by a 210-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 engine. All Commander prices include $695 shipping.

Adding four-wheel drive to the base Commander bumps the price to $29,985. Standard equipment on all Commanders includes three rows of seats, side-curtain airbags, stability control and a rear object detection system.

The higher Limited trim level is equipped with a 4.7-liter V-8 engine that makes 235 hp. Other changes for the Limited trim level include a chrome grille, sunroof, adjustable pedals and Sirius satellite radio with one year of service.

A two-wheel-drive Limited has a sticker price of $36,280. Adding four-wheel drive bumps the sticker price to $38,900.

The 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi, which makes 330 hp, is an option on Limited models. The Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system is bundled with the 5.7-liter V-8. Command Limited models with that option package have a sticker price of $40,395.

$28k seems like a good price until you learn that it comes with the 3.7L standard (will that even move it?) The only model actually worth buying is with the Hemi, and that starts at $40k.

Notice the unusual glass roof panels.




Take a look at the vehicle behind the Commander, looks like assembled on the same line.

Skylights. Nice touch, but the pricing may kill this thing. Check this out: Base 2wd - 210hp - $27,985 Base 4wd - 210hp - $29,985 Limited 2wd - 235hp - $36,280. Limited 4wd - 235hp - $38,900. Limited 4wd - 330hp - $40,395 That a near $10,000 disparirty between an admittedly well-equipped base model. I struggle to see how its really worth that price given assumed equipment levels, etc.

The Hemi version fully loaded better stay away from 50k because it doesn't want to enter escalade territory.

I suspect that's the line the Chrysler SUV will cross.

but oh so ugly...

too narrow for the height. if they were just trying to blow out the old cherokee, this suv is suffering from poor execution. can you stick a hemi into an H3?