Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Commander’s Design:
The 2006 Jeep Commander’s design takes some getting used to. My first impression was that it’s awkward and dated. I understand it carries a retro theme but not enough of a modern twist went into the looks to make it appealing to me. Over time, I have grown to like it, especially the use of the fake bolts on the exterior as well as the dashboard. My only input on this particular design element would be to use the same rivet or bolt design throughout the interior and exterior. The rivets used for the dash should have made their way to the fender treatment, but in a bigger size. The Jeep Commander looks rugged and has a muscular look to it.

Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Commander’s Design:
Except for the chrome D-pillar grab handles and the ugly lighting front and rear, I’m digging this Cherokee rip-off design. The Commander screams “Jeep” to me, and at night the round headlights and parking lamps have a strong brand flavor. I’m not crazy about the look of the headlights, and the taillights should be shorter with the reverse lights at the bottom. I also think the exposed rivets on the Limited model are over the top. Inside, I prefer the Commander’s dashboard design to what’s found in the Grand Cherokee. It’s a flat, no-nonsense design with a handy storage bin in front of the passenger. In fact, the Commander is handier than the JGC when it comes to storage bins and cubbies, and I like the Commander’s four-spoke steering wheel, round air vents, and faux industrial-ness of the exposed screws better than the Grand Cherokee.

Controls are logically laid out, the only complaint being that the navigation system and the stereo are integrated as a single unit without a touch screen. Setting your favorite radio stations is a hassle, but once that’s mastered it’s easy to cycle through them using Jeep’s ingenious rocker switch on the back of the steering wheel spoke. The navigation system is simple to program and operate, and the screen offers excellent resolution, but it’s still fussier than a touch-screen set-up. The Commander’s navigation system offers hard keys for canceling route guidance and altering map orientation, and you zoom the map by twisting the handy selector knob.

Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Commander’s Design:
There was a saying that went around when I was younger, one that I think came from a movie. It went something like: “You ugly, you ugly, U-G-L-Y, your momma says you ugly!” I have no idea why that comes to mind when I look at the 2006 Jeep Commander, but it does. OK, maybe I do – this is one homely truck, from that flat face with droopy and emotionless eyes (headlights), that shiny schnoz (grille), its long and boxy body, and those odd rear exterior grab handles. Needless to say, I was dumbfounded when someone actually walked up to me and complemented our test truck’s good looks. Oh well, some people even found the Pontiac Aztek attractive.

Ah, but that’s just the exterior. The Commander’s interior is much better, with the hard and durable plastic imparting the tough Jeep image, and the fake wood and leather seats giving some cred to the Limited badge. Some may think the bolt heads are a bit much, myself included, but it all goes with that Trail Rated thing. Which brings me to my final point – this truck’s claim to fame is that it’s the only Trail Rated seven-passenger SUV. You know, because there was such an overwhelming demand. Vehicles that can haul the entire family tree are great, but I don’t think I’ll ever plan a trip along the Rubicon Trail with six of my friends and say “Hey, I’ll drive.”

Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Commander’s Design:
Those who like boxes will love the Jeep Commander. From front to rear, this Jeep looks like it was carved out of a piece of rock, a squared-off and straight-edged vehicle low on subtle design cues and high on smash-mouth car design. It is the vehicular equivalent of a block of ice. Inside, there’s quite a bit more sophistication going on than what’s on the outside, but the tough guy design carries through with tiny rivets placed strategically throughout the cabin. It’s a nice touch to a nice interior and a great cabin layout. In back, however, it’s a different story. The entry into the third-row is tight, and it’s hard to imagine anyone of size even making it to the back without some significant bodily contortions. On the plus side, however, the seats fold flat, making way for ample cargo space. The real troubles, however, start when you combine the Commander’s stadium seating with a third-row shoe-horned into the back. The result is cramped seats that create a significant visual obstruction. A heavy and tall manual liftgate – there was no power feature on our tester – is also a significant problem, unless you like jumping for the assist handle. It may actually be quite humorous, to watch short people jump, and then dangle, from the Commander’s back gate.