Car Reviews: The 2007 Jeep Commander

All through the summer, car owners and drivers constantly speak down on those who drive sport utility vehicles and larger trucks. However, when the first snow of the season hits, more and more car owners simply stare with jealousy at those with four wheel drive, who are able to cross snowy terrain without a second of hesitation.

However, while this envy may be well deserved for certain SUVs, for others, we really have to wonder if there is anything to be jealous about. Case in point: The 2007 Jeep Commander. Although the vehicle represents a new direction for Jeep, perhaps it may not be the best road to travel, at least not quite yet.

Of course, everything looks reasonably good from the outside, at least, if one likes the look of the Hummer H3. While the Commander doesn't look "bad" per say, there's just really nothing that makes it stand out from the crowd. There's no doubt that the vehicle still looks like a Jeep, it just looks more like some other things first. First off, the car is based (and shares the same platform) off of the Dodge Caliber SXT. Although the outward appearance may vary slightly, the same design concepts are present on both cars.

Save for some of the more distinctive Jeep badges and a little wider overall body size. However, the biggest complaint regarding the exterior is not that it does not look good, but simply that it does not really look like anything. Even though the Commander is "new", it really resembles everything else that has been put out in the past few years, taking cues from both the Caliber and the seemingly the H3.

Not that sharing similar styles can be a bad thing, just that it doesn't really work for the Commander, and the result in an SUV which neither looks good or distinctive. In fact, it can even be said that some of the older Grand Cherokee's have more style than this 2007 imitation.

Even though the Commander may not be that nice on the outside, it is very pleasant to be inside of. All around, the interior is made of truly top notch materials and it really seems to be set up towards giving the driver a pleasant experience.

Depending on the model and package purchased, the SUV comes with leather seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel, wood grain accents on the interior, and a premium sound system. However, even with the cloth seats, the Commander is still very comfortable inside, and the sound pumping through even the basic system is of great quality.

Even though rearward visibility may not be the best thing in it's class, it really isn't bad, and far outpaces vehicles such as the Honda Element and Toyota FJ when it comes to being able to see where your going. Indeed, the Commander puts the driver in a position of power, and although the car does not sit up quite that high, the driver feels as if they are sitting at a perfectly comfortable distance, one that allows for great visibility while not compromising the feeling of driving an actual SUV.

Perhaps, though, the SUV war is really won in terms of driving. In fact, the Commander drives much like it looks: acceptable but really nothing special. The engine is underpowered for an SUV of it's sheer size, and although the continuously variable transmission has been used to great success in other cars, perhaps it is not quite ready for an SUV application quite yet. The transmission feels a bit sluggish, and it sometimes feels as though the driver has to fight the car for what it wants to be done.

Add this with the underpowered engine, and the Commander is by no means an exhilarating vehicle to drive. However, the four wheel drive functions excellently, and those who desire should have no problem trudging through snow or other adverse driving conditions. However, due to the tricky nature of the suspension, taking the vehicle off road is not recommended.

Speaking of handling, the Commander really doesn't have too much of it to speak of. The body roll is exceedingly high around corners, and although the SUV is rock steady on the highway, it really doesn't seem meant for country roads, or even really having fun. Not a bad driving car by any means, just one that doesn't really leave the potential for a whole lot of enjoyment. Add this to the low gas mileage, and perhaps we have an SUV which is really best left avoided.

Even though it can seem tempting to buy an SUV come winter, often the temptation is best left unanswered. If one can simply make it through the winter, it is entirely possible to get SUVs and trucks for a fraction of the cost that they sell for during winter. However, even during summer, it is not likely that the 2007 Jeep Commander is really a great choice. There are simply other, far more interesting, and far more entertaining SUVs on the road, and for the price that one pays for the Commander, it is much better seeking a superior product.