New Commander
- Thread starter lionsbreath
- Start date
Scott Brady
Founder
I priced one out on the web last night, and they are very expensive. Nearly 40k to get the required off-highway goodies. Not interested any longer, though I will test one to rate it performance.
For 40k I can buy a 2003 Land Cruiser. No Brainer IMO.
For 40k I can buy a 2003 Land Cruiser. No Brainer IMO.
ShottsCruisers
Explorer
Scott Brady
Founder
So Aaron, what did you think of the vehicle?
datrupr
Expedition Leader
Scott, Good question, glad you asked. Here it is, the official Datrupr impression on the Commander.
Lets start with the styling. I really feel that the styling of the Commander leaves a lot to be desired. It has, IMO, a really........odd........look to it. I think it is in the realm of most new car styling, you either love it or hate it. As I just stated, I don't like the way it looks. Ground clearance in the stock form on the 4WD looks adequate for a stock vehicle, but it was hard to get a good perspective as all the 4X4's I saw had step bars on them, or at least the ones I remember. There did not appear to be too much hanging down on the underside though, which is a good thing as it has 4 wheel independant suspension. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong on anything Joe, as it was a couple of weeks ago and my memory is fading. The overall size I would say is ideal for expedition duty, roughly the size of an 80 series cruiser.
Interior wise is slightly a different story. Sitting in the drivers seat leaves little to be desired. The seats are comfy with fairly good support, but I can see them getting a little tireing on long trips. They have decent bolstering for trail duty and should hold the driver in place fairly well. I have to say, I love the dash lay out. IMO it is the best part of the vehicle. All the controls are well placed and thought out with decent visibility and pretty easy to operate without having to take your eyes off the road for very long. That, and the styling is really cool. On the upscale model that I looked at it had redundant stereo controls on the steering wheel which makes most used functions convenient. I really liked the on board Nav system, but it looks like it might take a little bit of practice to learn and control with ease. There is plenty of room in the front seats for even large drivers and passengers to be comfortable and still leave decent room in the second row. The third row needs to just go away. Access to to the third row looks to be a challenge even for children, and when up there is not even enough room to let the cat have a comfortable space in the cargo area. Also when up, there is no visibility what so ever to the rear. Which does make the defeatable parking assist a must. The best part of the third row is the ease of use when folding down, and the fact that they do fold flat. Overall, the visibility is a bit hindered with a smaller than what I am used to greenhouse matched with very oversized A, B, and C pillars housing the full side curtain airbag system. I did not drive it though so I can not give you my impression of road manners and power delivery, but if you would like a more in depth review just let me know and I will be happy to take one for a spin for the good of all of our members and guests.
On another note, the command trac four wheel drive system sounds pretty cool. If that system works properly I don't think the vehicle would ever have a need for lockers. It works by transfering power to the wheels that have the traction. So, in theory if you had three wheels off the ground all of the power would be distributed to the one wheel on the ground to provide traction to get you off or over that particular obstical. If it works as well as it sounds DC just may have something. I wonder if Joe will us take one on the Land Rover test track up the street?
Lets start with the styling. I really feel that the styling of the Commander leaves a lot to be desired. It has, IMO, a really........odd........look to it. I think it is in the realm of most new car styling, you either love it or hate it. As I just stated, I don't like the way it looks. Ground clearance in the stock form on the 4WD looks adequate for a stock vehicle, but it was hard to get a good perspective as all the 4X4's I saw had step bars on them, or at least the ones I remember. There did not appear to be too much hanging down on the underside though, which is a good thing as it has 4 wheel independant suspension. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong on anything Joe, as it was a couple of weeks ago and my memory is fading. The overall size I would say is ideal for expedition duty, roughly the size of an 80 series cruiser.
Interior wise is slightly a different story. Sitting in the drivers seat leaves little to be desired. The seats are comfy with fairly good support, but I can see them getting a little tireing on long trips. They have decent bolstering for trail duty and should hold the driver in place fairly well. I have to say, I love the dash lay out. IMO it is the best part of the vehicle. All the controls are well placed and thought out with decent visibility and pretty easy to operate without having to take your eyes off the road for very long. That, and the styling is really cool. On the upscale model that I looked at it had redundant stereo controls on the steering wheel which makes most used functions convenient. I really liked the on board Nav system, but it looks like it might take a little bit of practice to learn and control with ease. There is plenty of room in the front seats for even large drivers and passengers to be comfortable and still leave decent room in the second row. The third row needs to just go away. Access to to the third row looks to be a challenge even for children, and when up there is not even enough room to let the cat have a comfortable space in the cargo area. Also when up, there is no visibility what so ever to the rear. Which does make the defeatable parking assist a must. The best part of the third row is the ease of use when folding down, and the fact that they do fold flat. Overall, the visibility is a bit hindered with a smaller than what I am used to greenhouse matched with very oversized A, B, and C pillars housing the full side curtain airbag system. I did not drive it though so I can not give you my impression of road manners and power delivery, but if you would like a more in depth review just let me know and I will be happy to take one for a spin for the good of all of our members and guests.
On another note, the command trac four wheel drive system sounds pretty cool. If that system works properly I don't think the vehicle would ever have a need for lockers. It works by transfering power to the wheels that have the traction. So, in theory if you had three wheels off the ground all of the power would be distributed to the one wheel on the ground to provide traction to get you off or over that particular obstical. If it works as well as it sounds DC just may have something. I wonder if Joe will us take one on the Land Rover test track up the street?
Last edited:
+ d
Adventurer
if anyone wants more info on these things check out www.xkjeeps.com
(it's a sister site to the digital grand cherokee bible www.wjjeeps.com)
(it's a sister site to the digital grand cherokee bible www.wjjeeps.com)
Scott Brady
Founder
Aaron,
Thanks so much for the review. I was really bummed when I found the sticker price. That vehicle is going to need heavy discounts to be competitive.
Too bad...
Thanks so much for the review. I was really bummed when I found the sticker price. That vehicle is going to need heavy discounts to be competitive.
Too bad...
Scott Brady
Founder
yeah... You can buy a two year old Land Cruiser for that, which is 50x the vehicle. I can't believe they didnt put the 2.8L CRD in it... That would have got my interest.
If the Trooper goes, right now my choice would be a 2002 4Runner or 2002 Land Cruiser.
If the Trooper goes, right now my choice would be a 2002 4Runner or 2002 Land Cruiser.
ShottsCruisers
Explorer
kcowyo
ExPo Original
ShottsCruisers said:
Don't believe it. Go drive one.
The initial fuel estimates were revised from 21/26 to 20/25 after their release. The power should please anyone unless they're comparing it to a full size truck diesel, ie Powerstroke, Cummins, or Duramax. The power to weight ratio is very good and the turbo lag is no more than one would find in a full size diesel.
Quiet, peppy and doesn't smoke or wreak like the familiar diesel offerings.
ShottsCruisers
Explorer
kcowyo said:
Here's a few links for you all:
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_report.jsp?WebLogicSession=Q1aUvG9C0Ibbpm3PtZkcOsr6lQk4vvn47skslf132XoJRtfexykv|-7232043187596666948/169937909/6/7005/7005/7002/7002/7005/-1|-8923328724342289482/169937910/6/7005/7005/7002/7002/7005/-1&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=772771&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=389451&bmUID=1129747644984
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef1454f/2158