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Jeep Commander vs. Ford Explorer XLT  Comparative Review

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The 2009 Jeep Commander

For 2009, the Commander's available 5.7-liter V8 has been revised and adds variable valve timing. The Jeep Commander comes in three trim levels: Sport, Limited, and Overland. All are available with 2WD or 4WD. Overland receives Keyless Go passive entry and new high-intensity headlights.  Limited and Overland trims add rear heated seats as standard equipment. The Jeep Commander offers more capability over rugged terrain than most drivers will ever need. The mid-level 4.7-liter V8 was upgraded for 2008, gaining 70 horsepower for a total of 305, while also achieving slightly better fuel economy performance.

In addition to the upgraded 4.7-liter V8, Commander got new entertainment and off-road features in 2008. 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-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.

Commander Sport 2WD comes standard with a 3.7-liter SOHC V6, rated at 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. 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. Other Commander options include rear DVD entertainment system and engine block heater. The Commander is two inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than the Grand Cherokee. The Commander's stepped roofline makes for excellent headroom for the rear-seat passengers, and the stepped effect is camouflaged by a roof rack rail.  The Commander's raised roof permits use of stadium seating; each row is higher than the one in front of it, giving second- and third-row passengers enhanced forward visibility.  The second-row seats are comfortable but are tight on leg room for taller passengers.  Both the second- and third-row seats fold to create a perfectly flat load floor, and there is an L-shaped storage bin located behind the third-row seats.  The five-speed automatic transmission enhances the engine's responsiveness and features two second-gear ratios.  On the highway, the Commander is a notably smooth and comfortable cruiser.

The 2009 Ford Explorer XLT

For 2009, the Ford Explorer carries over with minor adjustments to standard equipment and restructured option groups, including a new XLT Sport Package. Additionally, all-wheel drive Explorer models now get the XLT trim level. Explorer has earned the best possible impact protection rating in the federal government's crash tests: five stars for the driver in a frontal impact, the front-seat passenger in a frontal impact, front-seat occupants in a side impact, and rear-seat occupants in a side impact.  Ford says the Explorer is designed to meet all known federal frontal- and side-impact crash requirements through 2010. Ford has added new standard and optional features. Side curtain airbags are standard on 2009 models, voice activation is added to the optional navigation system, and top-line Limited models get standard power adjustable pedals and a universal garage door opener. There are three new options for 2009: a capless fueling system, 20-inch wheels and Ford's Sync entertainment and communication system.

With the V8 engine, the Explorer is rated to tow up to a whopping 7,310 pounds.  All Explorers offer a smooth ride and decent handling for such big, heavy vehicles. The interiors are pleasant, with only oddly designed door panels to complain about. Standard equipment on the XLT includes air conditioning; cloth low-back bucket seats with manual driver lumbar adjustment; 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat with back-rest recline; power windows with one-touch-down driver window; remote keyless entry; AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with auxiliary input jack; cargo management system; two 12-volt power points; trip computer with two-line message center; one-piece liftgate with flip-open rear window; fold-away power exterior mirrors; black roof side rails; fog lights; and painted aluminum wheels on P235/70R16 all-season tires.

Up front, the Ford Explorer looks like an F-150 pickup with finer, scaled-down features.  The seats are supportive and comfortable.  Second-row seats are available as a 60/40 split bench with recline adjustment, or as two captain's chairs with fold-down armrests and a center console. The bucket seats are more comfortable for adults, but the bench seats fold down better for cargo.  The third row, when ordered, is always a 50/50 split, but is available with manual or power folding and unfolding.  The DVD-based navigation system is very easy to use, with excellent colors and graphics, and a big eight-inch display.  Both the V6 and the V8 are smooth and quiet. With the lighter V6, the Explorer is a bit easier to turn and maneuver, but both engines are pleasant and competent. Choose the V8 if you pull trailers.  The steering has a nice, hefty feel at highway speeds, while still providing plenty of assist for parking. The suspension is relatively supple, giving the Explorer a nice ride on rough streets.

The Commander is the largest production Jeep as well as the first to seat seven. Despite its extra size, the Commander still provides the same rugged off-road capability and comfort expected of the Jeep name. The 2009 Jeep Commander should be attractive to families that need four-wheel-drive capability for vacations, camping, or challenging winters. Its seven-passenger seating capability is complemented by seats that fold flat for big cargo capacity. For details and specifications read a further review on the Jeep Commander.  With a wide range of engines, options and prices, the Commander is versatile enough to appeal to a broad array of buyers. It has an MSRP of $28,980 - $45,710.  The estimated fuel range is 20 mpg Hwy, 15 mpg City. The Commander comes with a 36 months/36,000 miles basic warranty.  The Ford Explorer has never been better and represents an excellent choice among midsize sport utilities. It's handsome, smooth, quiet, comfortable and competent. Read a Motortrend review for more information on the Explorer XLT.  It has an MSRP of $26,995 - $37,705. The fuel economy range is 20 mpg Hwy, 14 mpg.  It comes with a basic warranty of 36 months/36,000 miles.