Jeep Commander is the real deal for off-roading

Everyone knows that SUVs aren’t doing so hot these days – all those people who traded their "boring" minivans for "trendy" SUVs 10 years ago are now exchanging their "boring" SUVs for "trendy" hybrids.

It’s not really about the environment, and we all know it. It’s about keeping up with the latest trend.

But for some people, SUVs were not just a fleeting fashion statement.

SUVs have always been the vehicles of choice for off-roading enthusiasts, outdoor fanatics, and extreme-sports addicts, regardless of the price of a gallon of gas, because no matter how fuel-efficient and eco-friendly it may be, you just can’t go off-roading in a Prius.

Introducing the 2008 Jeep Commander – a full-size sport-utility vehicle for those faithful few who will always believe in the SUV.

The Jeep Commander is the real deal – not some car-based crossover that looks like kind of an SUV but is really just a sedan on steroids.

(I’m not knocking crossovers – I actually do like most of them. I’m just saying that they aren’t real SUVs. They’re more like "SUV-flavored.")

Naturally, all three Commander models are available with four-wheel drive – and not just any old four-wheel drive, either. I’m talking state-of-the-art Trail Rated Jeep four-wheel drive systems that can handle some serious terrain.

Also, the Commander offers optional third-row seating, with a total capacity of seven passengers and 15 possible seating configurations, as well as plenty of cargo space (up to 68.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down).

Add the optional roof rack, and all of your friends and all of their gear can ride comfortably (or not so comfortably, if you’re into off-roading and prefer like I do to drive over the boulder in the road rather than around it.)

Of course, even hardcore outdoor enthusiasts deserve the same creature comforts found on those fancy crossover SUVs.

The Commander, which starts at $28,330, is loaded with tons of great standard features, such as air conditioning, cruise control, power windows/locks/ mirrors, CD player, SIRIUS satellite radio, and a trip computer.

Fantastic optional features, including an in-dash DVD player, GPS navigation, a rear DVD player with a flip-down screen, a rear back-up camera, and a power sunroof with awesome dual skylights, are also available.

My favorite feature of all, though, is the available MyGIG information and entertainment system. This system allows you to upload music, pictures, and other media either directly from a CD or from an external source (via a USB port) and store it on a 20GB hard drive.

With the ability to hold up to 2,100 songs, you’re more likely to run out of patience with your buddies in the backseat than you are to run out of good music for the ride.

The 2008 Commander is available in three trim levels: the entry-level Sport, the mid-level Limited, and the top-of-the-line Overland. In addition, each trim level is offered with either rear- or four-wheel drive.

Sport models with real-wheel drive start at $28,330 (plus $730 freight) and Sports with four-wheel drive start at $30,330. Sport models only seat five, but a third-row seat is available in one of the option packages.

A modest 3.7-liter, 210-horsepower V-6 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission powers Sport models. Want a little more power? Upgrade to a 305-horsepower, 4.7-liter V-8 for $1,580. (A flexible fuel version of this V-8 is also available for the same price.)

Standard interior features on the Sport include A/C, power windows and door locks, cruise control, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD player, MP3 capability and six speakers, SIRIUS with one-year subscription, two 12-volt auxiliary power outlets and a trip computer.

Other standard features include roof side rails, halogen headlamps, deep-tint sunscreen glass, all-terrain tires and a full-size spare tire.

Safety features that come standard on Sport models include four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist, traction control, electronic stability control, advanced multi-stage front air bags, supplemental side curtain air bags for all rows, a tire-pressure monitoring system and an enhanced accident response system.

And while you may not worry about someone stealing your vehicle out in the middle of the desert, you just may have to go back to civilization at some point (if only to replenish the snack supply).

Standard features such as a vehicle anti-theft system, remote keyless entry and a rear park assist system will make your brief forays into the concrete jungle as painless as possible.

The Commander also boasts a 21.1-gallon gas tank and a 625-amp maintenance-free battery, so those awful little forays into town will be few and far between.

All four-wheel drive Sport models are equipped with Jeep’s Quadra-Trac I full-time four-wheel drive system.

Without getting too technical, this system basically provides the right amount of traction for almost all driving conditions on its own – the driver does not have to do anything.

For more extreme driving conditions (including serious off-roading), you can upgrade to the Quadra-Drive II system ($795). This system, which includes features such as electronic front and rear limited-slip differentials, hill-descent control, hill-start assist and skid plates, is designed to handle more-treacherous terrain.

Several options packages are available on the Sport model.

The Sport Quick Order Package S ($2,140) adds a third-row 50/50 split bench seat, rear heating and A/C, a carpeted cargo area, and fog lamps.

The Popular Equipment Group ($1,095) adds a roof rack, heated front seats, power-adjustable foot pedals, remote ignition, a 115-volt auxiliary power outlet and an upgraded 276-watt Boston Acoustics sound system with six-disc CD changer, digital signal processing and six speakers.

The Sun/Sound Group ($1,195) adds the upgraded sound system and the dual skylights.

The Rear Back-Up Camera/Rear DVD Group ($1,700) adds the MyGIG system, the upgraded Boston Acoustics system, the back-up camera, a rear DVD player with an eight-inch flip-down screen located in the rear overhead console and an in-dash front DVD player with a 6.5-inch touch screen.

The Navigation and Back-Up Camera Group ($1,400) includes a GPS navigation aid with a 6.5-inch touch screen and hard drive, Uconnect hands-free communication system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a microphone and the back-up camera.

The Uconnect system is also available on its own for $310.

The Rear Back-Up Camera Group ($500) adds the MyGIG system, the upgraded stereo system, the back-up camera and the front DVD player with touch screen.

The Sport Quick Order Package U ($5,970) adds all of the stuff from the Popular Equipment Group and the Sun/Sound Group, as well as the third-row seat, leather seats and steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, automatic headlights and universal garage-door opener.

A power liftgate with pushbutton access is available for $400.

Next up are the mid-level Limited models, which start at $37,020 for rear-wheel drive models and $39,640 for models with four-wheel drive.

Limited models are powered by a 4.7-liter, 305-horsepower V-8 engine and a multi-speed overdrive automatic transmission (a flexible fuel version of this engine is also available for no additional charge). An optional 5.7-liter 330-horsepower Hemi V-8 is available for $645.

Four-wheel drive models are equipped with the Quadra-Trac II system, which is similar to the Quadra-Trac I system but also includes low-range and neutral settings.

Limited models add several additional standard features, including third-row seating, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats and steering wheel, the upgraded audio system, front DVD player with touch screen, back-up camera, power sunroof with skylights, heated front seats, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, roof rack, fog lamps, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and remote ignition.

Options available on Limited models include the Uconnect system ($310), the rear DVD player ($1,200), power liftgate ($400), an Exterior Appearance Package ($75) which consists of chrome exterior assist handles and premium fender flares and the upgraded Quadra-Drive II system ($795).

One really cool feature available on Limited and Overland models only is SIRIUS Backseat TV ($470). This incredible feature provides backseat passengers with 24-hour satellite TV (one year of service is included).

With channels like Nickelodeon, the Disney channel, and Cartoon Network, children (or people who behave like children) in the backseat can be entertained for hours. Also, the system is set up so that people in the front seat can still listen to satellite radio while backseat passengers watch satellite TV and listen on wireless headphones.

The MyGIG system with GPS navigation is available –shockingly – for no extra charge.

The top-of-the-line Overland model starts at $40,200 for rear-wheel drive models and $43,665 for models with four-wheel drive.

Overland models are powered by the 5.7-liter Hemi, paired with the multi-speed automatic overdrive transmission.

The Quadra-Drive II system is standard on Overland models.

Additional standard features include MyGIG with nav, Uconnect, premium two-tone seat accents, wood-grain interior accents, a power liftgate, a towing package, and a floor console with leather armrests.

Optional features include the rear entertainment system ($1,200) and SIRIUS Backseat TV.

A Mopar chrome accents package ($800) is available on all models, as is an engine block heater ($40).

If you’re a diehard SUV-lover, fuel efficiency probably isn’t high on your list of requirements. Still, it doesn’t hurt to know what you’re going to be dealing with.

Sport models with four-wheel drive get 13-14 mpg city/18-19 highway. Sport models with rear-wheel drive get 14 city/19 highway.

Limited models with four-wheel drive get 13 city/17-18 highway. Limited models with rear-wheel drive get 13-14 city/ 19 highway.

Overland models with four-wheel drive get 13 city/17 highway. Overland models with rear-wheel drive get 13 city/19 highway.

And if these fuel economy ratings have you clutching your chest and gasping for air, maybe you would be better off going with a smaller, more economical sedan.

Just don’t expect me to tow your Prius out of the ditch on the side of the highway when you try to escape from gridlock traffic and get stuck – I’ll be off in the middle of nowhere attempting to drive over a boulder…

The automotive columns of Jennifer R. Williams appear regularly in the Star-Telegram. Contact her at autoscribejennifer@yahoo.com.