2009 Jeep Commander

NEW FOR 2009:

- New 5.7-litre Hemi Eagle engine with variable valve timing and Multi-Displacement System (MDS) for more power with improved fuel economy

- Sport adds standard vinyl centre armrest cover, leather-wrapped parking brake handle, interior chrome door handles, steering wheel audio controls, and fuel saver notification

- Sport "S" package uses 3.7-litre engine only and discontinues Sound Group, Rear Backup Camera Group, six-disc stereo, manual driver lumbar support and rear air conditioning

- Limited adds standard leather-wrapped front and rear door bolsters, chrome rings on instrument panel vents, body-colour exterior mirrors and heated second-row seats; optional auto-levelling high intensity discharge headlamps added

- iPod interface included with MyGIG entertainment system with navigation

- Nine-inch DVD screen replaces 8-inch screen

- Exterior colours: Steel Blue, Mineral Grey and Black discontinued

For 2009, the Jeep Commander's changes are mostly to its list of standard or optional features. The big news is a new 5.7-litre Hemi Eagle V8, which has the same displacement as the 2008 version, but with variable valve timing; along with the company's Multi-Displacement System (MDS), the new engine produces more horsepower but with improved fuel economy.

A seven-passenger model based on the Grand Cherokee, the Commander is available with a 3.7-litre V6, 4.7-litre flexible-fuel V8 or the new 5.7-litre Hemi Eagle V8, all with five-speed automatic transmissions. The Sport comes standard with the V6 and can be optioned to the 4.7-litre, while the Limited uses the 4.7-litre and can be optioned to the 5.7-litre.

Three four-wheel drive systems are available. The Quadra Trac I, standard on the Sport and optional on the Limited, uses a single-speed transfer case that provides full-time 4WD. Quadra-Trac II, standard on the Limited, is a full-time active 4WD system with low-range gear. Quadra-Drive Drive II, optional on the Limited, has electronic limited-slip differentials.

Features on the Sport include 17-inch aluminum wheels, air conditioning, reversible cargo area floor panel, power locks with keyless entry, Electronic Vehicle Information Centre, Enhanced Accident Response System, floor mats, fog lamps, heated mirrors, ParkSense rear parking assist, CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input and wheel-mounted controls, roof rack side rails, cloth seats with eight-way power driver's adjustment, 40/20/40 second-row reclining fold-and-tumble bench, 50/50 split-folding third-row seats, cruise control, tilt and telescopic wheel, tire pressure monitor warning, power windows with one-touch up/down, speed-sensitive variable intermittent wipers, and fixed intermittent rear washer/wiper.

The Limited adds dual-zone climate control with third-row manual controls, garage door opener, automatic headlamps, SmartBeam automatic high-beam control, heated auto-dimming mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, backup camera, power-adjustable pedals, 115-volt power outlet, MyGIG entertainment stereo, roof rail crossbars, perforated leather seats with driver's side memory and four-way power passenger adjustment, first- and second-row heated seats, leather-wrapped wheel, power sunroof, tire pressure monitor display, security alarm, and rain-sensing wipers.

Advertised as the only "Trail Rated" seven-passenger SUV, the Commander is more about luxury than off-road ability, although it'll go pretty much anywhere the Grand Cherokee can go. It's well-equipped and well-finished, although as with many three-row SUVs, the third row is a tight fit for adults, and cuts into cargo space when the seats are up. The V6 can be overwhelmed by the Commander's size, especially when it's loaded up, and one of the two V8 powerplants is a better choice.