The Jeep Commander offers more capability over rugged terrain than most drivers will ever need. It can haul up to seven people and a lot of stuff just about anywhere it can fit. If you're expecting an unrefined vehicle with sluggish performance, however, you'll be surprised. It's surprisingly smooth and spry.

As suggested by its slab-sided styling, the Commander offers utility and a roomy, airy cabin. The rear seats are progressively stepped up, theater style, giving back-seat riders a view of the road. This feeling of airiness is enhanced by a pair of glass roof panels, though the third row is best reserved for 10-year-olds.

Utility comes in the form of a perfectly flat cargo floor when the rear two rows are folded down, providing 68.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Those in the front seats enjoy a comfortable cabin, much of which is shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Belied by the utilitarian styling, however, is the Commander's responsiveness and ride quality. It rides surprisingly well for a tall, seven-passenger SUV. On the highway, the Commander is a notably smooth and comfortable cruiser. It's reasonably quiet, allowing easy conversation, a pleasant surprise given the squared-off styling and all-terrain tires. The tall ride height and off-road capability make the Commander handle poorly, though. While not tippy, the Commander is prone to body lean in turns and heavy braking, and isn't as nimble as the latest crossover SUVs.

A choice of V6 and V8 engines is available. The mid-level 4.7-liter V8 is upgraded for 2008, gaining 70 horsepower for a total of 305 while also gaining slightly in fuel economy performance. With its responsive acceleration and 6,500-pound towing capacity, the 4.7-liter V8 is a fine choice in the Commander. The top-line 5.7-liter V8 Hemi makes the Commander downright quick and is best for those who need to tow trailers up to 7,400 pounds.

Two-wheel-drive models are available, though that seems a curious choice because it loses the benefits of Jeep's highly capable four-wheel-drive systems, one of the Commander's most compelling features. Buyers who don't need off-road capability might be better served by something else.

In addition to the upgraded 4.7-liter V8, Commander gets new entertainment and off-road features for 2008, as well as an available five-passenger version. The entertainment features consist of Sirius Backseat TV with three child-oriented channels and Jeep's MyGig, a 20-gigabyte hard drive that holds songs, pictures, and navigation system map information. Hill-start assist holds the brakes when the driver lets off them on a hill to allow smooth launches. Hill-descent control uses the ABS to control the rate of speed when driving down steep hills. Commander is available with an optional trailer sway control system that helps stabilize trailers during towing.