The 2008 Jeep Commander comes in three trim levels: Sport, Limited, and Overland. All are available with 2WD or 4WD.
Commander Sport 2WD ($27,415) comes standard with a 3.7-liter SOHC V6, rated at 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard on Sport are cloth upholstery, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers, power windows, power heated mirrors, front bucket seats with lumbar adjustment, rear obstacle detection, liftgate glass that opens by remote control, all-terrain tires on 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, a full-size spare tire, and cruise control with switches on the steering wheel. For 2008, the tilting steering column adds a telescoping feature.
Commander Sport 4WD ($29,415) adds Quadra-Trac I, an automatic full-time all-wheel-drive system enhanced by electronic traction control.
A 4.7-liter SOHC V8 is available on Sport as part of an option package. It is rated 305 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. This engine also comes with a five-speed automatic, but a more heavy-duty unit with a split second gear that provides a shorter ratio on kick-down than on up-shift.
Limited 2WD ($36,305) comes standard with the 4.7-liter V8 and HD transmission, plus a wide array of comfort and convenience features, including leather-trimmed first- and second-row seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, Sirius satellite radio with one-year subscription, Boston Acoustics speakers, power adjustable heated front seats, power adjustable pedals, third-row heat and ventilation, sunroof, remote starting, rain-sensitive wipers, automatic headlights, universal garage door opener; and a security system. For 2008, the Limited model adds a standard rear backup camera and Jeep's MyGig Entertainment System, which has a 6.5-inch touchscreen and a 20-gigabyte hard drive to hold music and picture files. Limited can be distinguished by its chromed grille and exterior chrome accents.
Limited 4WD ($38,925) has Quadra-Trac II, a full-time active four-wheel-drive system that includes a two-speed transfer case (so you can select a lower gear range for crawling through seriously rugged, muddy, or sandy terrain; or neutral for towing); plus electronic traction control.
Optional on Limited is the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 (again, as part of a larger package), producing 330 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. The Hemi features the fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS) technology, which shuts down four of the eight cylinders under light-load conditions.
Optional with the Hemi is Quadra-Drive II ($795), Jeep's most sophisticated 4WD system. Three limited-slip differentials (one in each axle and one between the axles) are electronically controlled, sending torque to the wheels, or single wheel, with the best traction. The system also includes low-range gearing and traction control.
The top-of-the-line Overland ($40,385) comes standard with the Hemi and a trailer-tow group. It raises the interior plush factor with suede-trimmed leather seats embroidered with the Overland logo; leather-wrapped shift knob and grab handles; Berber floor mats; and woodgrain trim on the center stack, console, steering wheel (which is also leather-wrapped) and front door panels. Overland also adds conveniences, such as a power liftgate, UConnect hands-free cell phone link, and a cargo net. For 2008, Overland trades a standard navigation system for Jeep's MyGig Multi-Media Infotainment system, which adds voice control and a navigation system with real-time traffic to the MyGig Entertainment System. Outside, Overland is distinguished by Platinum-look trim, a unique wire-lattice grille and 18-inch wheels instead of 17s.
Overland 4WD ($43,850) comes with Quadra-Drive II.
Other Commander options include rear DVD entertainment system and engine block heater. For 2008, the rear DVD entertainment system is available with Sirius Backseat TV that includes three child-oriented channels: Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. An Off-Road Group for 4WD models adds skid plates and tow hooks. A Class III towing package is available with the V6, and a Class IV package with either V8. Additionally, many Limited and even Overland convenience features are offered as either options or part of option packages on lower-cost models.
Safety features that come standard include head-protecting side-curtain air bags with a roll detection system to deploy in case of rollover and/or side impact. Front air bags are the multi-stage type that deploy in stages according to the severity of an impact. Torso-protecting front side air bags are not offered. Also standard are anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist, electronic stability control, a tire-pressure monitor and rear obstacle detection. All-wheel-drive models have traction control. Available are a rear backup camera, hill-start assist, hill-descent control and trailer sway control.