By Charles Donaldson
It’s boxy, for a big SUV. No, it’s not a Hummer it’s a 2010 Jeep Commander! Think of the last version of the Jeep Cherokee on steroids, lots of steroids. The Commander is a capable vehicle that longs for the rugged off-road terrain. It seats seven passengers comfortably and has room for your real estate signs and more! I must admit I was surprised with the fit and finish both inside and out.
Jeep buyers prefer the rough, boxy-classic style over smooth curvy lines. The Jeep Commander has a retro profile that should please the loyalist. Its styling breaks away from the current trends of softening the corners and angles of other large SUV’s. It definitely stands out in a crowd. If you ask anyone why they buy a Jeep the first thing they will tell you is because it is a true terrain, trailblazing vehicle. Taking the trail less traveled is built into the Jeep DNA!
For 2010, the Jeep Commander comes in four variations: Sport 2WD ($32,355), Sport 4WD ($34,355), Limited 2WD ($40,990), Limited 4WD ($43,610). The Overland trim was discontinued. The Sport models come with a 210 horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to an automatic transmission. Both Limited versions upgrade to a 5.7-liter 357 HP Hemi V8. The Commander is based off the Grand Cherokee platform and is two inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than the Grand Cherokee.
The cabin area of the 2010 Commander has comfortable front seats. The second and third row seats are stadium styled providing a better view for passengers as you drive from house to house. You would expect the legroom in the third row to be limited, yet it is suggesting that its best suited for children. I would have preferred a little more leg room in the second row, however, unless your clients are extremely tall they will remain comfortable during your house hunting expedition. Behind the third seat you have 7.5 cubic feet of cargo space that, with the second and third row seats folded down, can grow to 68.5 cubic feet.
While the outside of the Commander is masculine looking, the inside has an upscale feel. The controls and gauges are well placed and easy to use. The center console frames the optional touch screen media center and climate controls; in silver on the Sport, and a wood grain design on the Limited. Our test Sport vehicle also had the optional power sunroof with Command View 2nd row skylights, which created an open-air feeling. The third row seat area had its own temperature controls and plenty of storage areas.
The 2010 Jeep Commander delivers a smooth ride and responsive handling. As mentioned, both models can be purchased as a 4WD which includes the basic Quadra Trac 4WD system. You can upgrade to the full-time active Quadra Trac II 4WD that includes front and rear electronic limited slip differential, hill start assist, and hill descent control.
You’ll be ready for the road with these features on the 2010 Commander: the Sport edition features 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rack, full power accessories, front and rear air conditioning, rear parking sensors, heated exterior mirrors, eight way power driver seat, and a six speaker audio system with a CD/MP3 player. The Limited edition adds to the list: remote engine start, auto dimming exterior mirrors, dual zone climate control, heated second row seats, power lift gate, and driver seat memory.
Room for improvement:· Third row seat is best suited for children
Cool Features:· Overhead Skylights (optional)
· Rear View Camera (optional)
· Remote engine start (on Limited versions)
Safety features on the Jeep Commander include full length side curtain airbags, stability control with rollover mitigation, traction control, and antilock disc brakes. These features and more helped the 2010 Jeep Commander score high in the safety ratings earning five stars for frontal collision protection.
In Summary – The 2010 Jeep Commander offers the off road vacationers a vehicle that is capable and has the skills to meet most challenges. It does so with a comfortable interior that can be loaded with high tech features including GPS navigation, rear camera, power adjustable pedals, and a rear seat entertainment system! The styling of the Commander is unique which in this case may not be for everyone, however, for Jeep loyalists it will be a hit.
Specifications
2010 Jeep Commander Sport 4x4
Base price: $33,575 as driven: $38,100 (with destination charges)
Engine: 3.7-Liter V6
Horsepower: 210 @ 5200 rpm
Torque: 235 pound-feet @ 4000 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed Automatic with Overdrive
Drive: Four-Wheel Drive
Seating: 7-passenger
Turning circle: 38.7 feet
Cargo space: 68.5 cubic feet
Curb weight: 4710 pounds
Fuel capacity: 21.1 gallons
EPA mileage: 19 highway, 14 city
Wheel Base: 109.5 inches
Warranty: 5 years/100,000 miles
Also consider: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Explorer, Hummer H3, and Nissan Pathfinder
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