2009 Jeep Commander Value

The 2009 Jeep Commander, which is mechanically similar to the Grand Cherokee, has a boxier appearance and is the first Jeep to offer three rows of seating and a versatile interior for combinations of people and cargo. With rear-wheel drive, the Commander can tow up to 7,400 pounds, and with four-wheel drive, it's an extremely capable off-road climber.

2009 Jeep Commander Changes

The Jeep Commander's available 5.7L Hemi V8 gets a power boost for 2009, to 357 hp. Also new to that powerplant is variable valve timing. Jeep's Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which regulates power and fuel efficiency by deactivating cylinders when not necessary, is still available. Standard on Limited and Overland models is a new Leather Appearance Group, which features leather trim on the doors and center console. Chrome accents on the instruments and vents round out the package.

2009 Jeep Commander Overview

Three different trim levels and three engines are offered on the 2009 Jeep Commander, along with rear-wheel drive or one of three different four-wheel-drive systems, each of which can equip the Commander for a wide range of performance requirements and budgets. A 210-horsepower, 3.7L V6 is standard on the base Sport model. The mid-range Limited model gets a 305-horsepower, flex-fuel-capable 4.7L V8, which delivers 334 ft-lb of torque. The top-of-the-line Overland includes a new, second-generation 5.7L Hemi V8, which now puts out 357 horsepower and 375 ft-lb of torque. The engine features Jeep's Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which regulates power and improves fuel efficiency by deactivating four cylinders when cruising. All Commander models come with a 5-speed automatic transmission standard. Each of the three models is available either in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configuration. The Sport model gets the Quadra-Trac I system, which has a single-speed transfer case and normally splits power 52% to the back wheels but can use the brakes to redistribute power where it's needed. The Limited gets the more sophisticated Quadra-Trac II system; it has a transfer case with low range and can send up to 100% of the torque to the axle with the most traction. It also uses a Throttle Anticipate feature to sense quick movement of the throttle and anticipate a loss in traction. The Overland features the Quadra-Drive II system, the system for hard-core off-roading; it also has a low range but uses electronic limited-slip differentials to smoothly route torque to the tires with the best traction. The center differential can go from completely locked to completely open to maximize traction. Quadra-Drive II is available on the Sport and Limited as an option. The Commander comes with seating for seven, arranged theater-style with the second and third rows higher than the front seats. The 40/20/40-split second-row seat folds flat and allows easy entry and exit to the third row, which also folds flat and is split 50/50. Top options on the Commander include Sirius Backseat TV, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and the MyGig system, which includes navigation, audio and communication functions. The system supports real-time traffic information, while it also includes a hard-drive system that can hold more than 100 hours of music in MP3 format. The Sport can be optioned with the 4.7L V8, and the Limited can be ordered with the 5.7L Hemi.