Jeep's first seven-passenger SUV, the new-for-2006 Commander is essentially a restyled Grand Cherokee with a third-row seat. With its sharp-edged lines, an upright windshield, and bold front grille, it pays styling homage to classic Jeeps, though in practice it looks like the old, boxy Cherokee. Its stepped roofline facilitates raised "theater" seating to provide better outward visibility for all seven riders, and both the second and third rows can fold flat for cargo-carrying flexibility. The Grand Cherokee's trio of engines is likewise available here, including a standard 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6, and the optional 230-horsepower 4.8-liter V-8 and the 5.7-liter HEMI that boasts 325 horses and incorporates a "displacement on demand" function to help boost fuel economy. All come mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox. Three full-time four-wheel-drive systems are offered in addition to standard-issue rear-wheel drive. The top Quadra-Drive II system utilizes electronic limited-slip differentials to afford maximum trail-forging abilities. Standard items include anti-lock brakes, traction control, and a new Electronic Roll Mitigation feature that can selectively deploy the vehicle's side-curtain airbags in a crash, based on input from multiple sensors. A DVD video system, Boston Acoustics stereo, and dual "Command View" skylights over the second row of seats are optional.

The Grand Cherokee received a major revision last year that brought added power and updated styling to the mid-sized SUV. The base engine is a 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 with a 230-horsepower 4.7-liter V-8 and a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that generates 325 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque also available. The 5.7-liter engine is able to deactivate half its cylinders during cruising and light acceleration to boost fuel economy. New for 2006 is a high-performance SRT8 version that comes powered by a 6.1-liter version of the HEMI that leaps off the line with an explosive 415 horses, which is enough to propel the SUV to 60 mph in around five seconds. Its chassis and 4WD systems are specially tweaked to handle the added power and provide spirited handling, and the SRT8 rides on 20-inch wheels and high-performance tires with specific styling cues. All engines come with five-speed automatic transmissions that include manual-shift capability. Electronic Stability Program, and a choice three full-time four-wheel-drive systems are offered, including the top Quadra-Drive II system that employs electronic limited-slip differentials for added off-road capability. It's not as sophisticated a ride as a pavement-only vehicle, however, compared to more mannered crossover SUVs.