Jeep® Unveils Its New Three-Row Commander D-SUV For Brazil:

This morning we talked about the critical success that the Jeep® brand is having in Brazil, the second best-selling market for the brand behind the United States. While a majority of the success is due to the Renegade and Compass models due to the fact they are manufactured there, Jeep has continued to look at expanding its lineup in that market with other models. Recently, we saw the all-new Grand Cherokee L on public roads within Brazil. But now, Jeep has launched another all-new model, something to fill in the gap from the Compass to the Grand Cherokee which will be manufactured within the country.

Enter the 2022 Jeep Commander (H1). The all-new Commander will be the biggest and most sophisticated Jeep ever produced in Brazil. Manufactured at the Polo Automotivo de Goiana (PE), it comes to bring a new premium level to the brand in the country and make the Jeep range even more complete. Designed to provide maximum comfort, the model is the first Jeep developed in Brazil, but it will bring a global concept and will be exported to other Latin American countries. 

Unfortunately, we will not be seeing it in the North American market.

“The Commander was born from the perception of the need to offer a new model for a customer who wants to continue growing in the choice of their car, following in Jeep. It starts with Renegade, develops through Compass, and now climbs one more step to Commander. It is the SUV that introduces the customer to an even more premium level of the brand, so our family has become more complete. He will dictate a new phase for Jeep in Brazil. With its own personality and an imposing and sophisticated design, it has premium finishes and technology without losing, of course, its capacity for adventure, as every Jeep should be”, says Alexandre Aquino, director of the Brand Jeep for Latin America.

The new model will be available in two different trim levels, Limited and Overland. Commander will feature turbocharged gasoline 4×2 and turbocharged diesel 4×4 powertrains. Offer seating for seven, the Commander looks to bypass the Cherokee (KL) and properly fill in the gap between the Compass and Grand Cherokee models.

“The Renegade and Compass are absolute successes in the Brazilian market, more than 600,000 units were sold of these two models together, leading to the market leadership of Jeep, which has always remained above 20% of share in SUVs. We want to take this position to another segment that has been growing year after year, which is large sport utility vehicles. We also believe that we will make this category grow. After all, we already made this happen when we launched Compass”, comments Everton Kurdejak, Director of Commercial Operations for Jeep for Brazil.

When it comes to design, the all-new Commander blends a fine balance between elegance and dynamism. There is the traditional Jeep seven-slot grille but now features a black stripe through the slots (a new bold take on the seven-slot grille). The Commander blends a lot of design elements from the newly refreshed Compass (MP), the all-new Grand Cherokee (WL74), and the Grand Wagoneer (WS) models, to create something completely different, but with elements, we are familiar with.

Full LED headlamps provide more safety and have a dynamic beam, something that Jeep has slowly been integrated into all of the lineups models. This time, the Commander headlamps are surrounded by a satin chrome trim giving a much more upscale look to the D-segment SUV. LED fog lamps and tail lamps are also included, with the fog lamps running into the trim above the lower front grille. The tail lamps are pushed high up on the rear, similar to the Cherokee, however, these lamps look very similar to the design of the ones found on the all-new Grand Wagoneer.

With a roofline finished very similar to the ones we have seen on the all-new Grand Cherokee’s upper trim levels, the side profile of the Commander looks sleek, modern, and does not feature the “shark fin” D-pillar we have come accustom to on several of the brand’s models. The satin chrome trim for the daylight opening (DLO) around the side windows even goes up and over, before blending into the rear-pillar just like the new two-row Grand Cherokee.

Inside, sophistication continues to be a main attribute of the Commander. Offered in the brand’s two more luxurious trim levels, there is a high level of refinement, which can be seen even in the seats, made in leather with suede accents. In addition to being a visual refinement, the mix of materials also brings an unparalleled feeling of softness and comfort. The seats also have apparent stitching, in a coppery tone, embroidered on the back and seat rests. The Jeep logo is engraved in low relief (on Limited) on the seat and armrest, which still bears the year the brand was founded (1941). While on the Overland model, the Overland name is what is engraved on the seatbacks.

Following the interior color pattern, there is also suede and leather upholstery on the dashboard with burnished copper stitching in the brown and black finishes and in light diesel gray in the gray finish, reinforcing the refinement of the new model. Yes, it does share its instrument panel (I/P) with the Compass, you would be hard-pressed to notice, with the different materials used.

There is also a hydrographic decorative film with a metallic finish, which varies according to the tone of the interior with a vertical brush with copper chrome, a silver metal brush with chrome, and even a vertical brush with satin chrome. The sophistication is seen even on the model’s external badges such as the car name and Jeep logo. They feature a double satin chrome and copper finish, something we have seen on the top-tier Grand Wagoneer Series III to set it apart from the rest of the lineup.

Jeep will offer the new Commander in 6 traditional exterior colors, which include Polar White, Granite Crystal, Billet Silver, Jazz Blue, Deep Brown, and Diamond Black. However, there will be a new and totally exclusive color for the model called Slash Gold (which is a subtle gold-tone). In addition to the black roof, Overland models will get the lower moldings on the vehicle to be color-matched to the exterior.

Inside, there will be three interior colors available, Black Leather and Suede on Limited, while Overland customers will be able to choose from Brown Leather and Suede or Gray Leather.

Jeep has also informed us, that it has installed 9 new fun Easter eggs throughout the exterior and interior that are specific to the new Commander. This is separate from the traditional Easter eggs, like the Willys in the corner of the front windshield.

While being based on a stretched version of the Compass architecture, interior space is not lacking in the new Commander. There are three rows of seats, seven seats in total, and one of the largest rear cargo spaces in the category with 1,760 liters (62.15 cubic feet) with the seats down, 661 liters (23.3 cubic feet) with the five-passenger configuration, and 233 liters (7.8 cubic feet) with all seven seats up – the largest volume with seven passengers for the segment. In addition, the model also has a surprising storage space of 31 liters of volume.

Very versatile, the Commander allows the seats to be folded in eight different ways, leading to an easy and intuitive extension of the vehicle’s load span. Furthermore, it is not only the first row that brings maximum comfort and practicality. The second row has a longitudinal displacement of up to 14 cm (5.5 inches), allowing you to choose between greater legroom also for passengers in the middle row or choose to increase the trunk even further.

It is worth mentioning that the second and third rows of seats are reclining, ensuring a more comfortable personalized position between each occupant. To top it off, the Jeep Commander has great accessibility to all this space, with an 80° door opening angle, the best among its competitors.

When it comes to technology, the Commander takes a lot of the refreshed Compass’ goodies and repackages it into the new D-segment SUV. There is the customizable 10.25-inch Full Digital cluster and 10.1-inch Full HD Uconnect 5 touchscreen media center with built-in navigation and mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly. It also has smartphone charging, place the device on the indicated part of the center console and the wireless charging capable device will fast charge. However, in case other passengers want to do the wired charging, there are USB ports in the three rows of seats.

It also brings access to the trunk with electrical opening and closing on the Limited and Overland, the latter also having a presence sensor (Hands-Free). There are also windshield and side window defrost, automatic mirror folding, Keyless Enter ‘N Go, and Dual-Zone air conditioning with a channel dedicated to the rear seats.

Other technology highlights that offer more convenience to the customer are the power-adjustable driver’s seat on all versions, the power-adjustable front passenger seat on the Overland, and the large panoramic sunroof.

The all-new Jeep Commander comes very well equipped as standard on all versions with autonomous steering technologies highly valued by customers in the premium segment. It features Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), collision alert with automatic braking, blind-spot and cross-traffic detection, lane change alert, emergency braking for pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists, driver fatigue detector, speed limit sign recognition, automatic headlights, and park assist.

Commander also features a premium Harman Kardon sound system with 9 speakers, a subwoofer, and 450-watts of power. It also has the exclusive Fresh Air technology, which uses cabin ducts as an “acoustic box”. This eliminates the need for traditional speakers, reducing system weight by 40% and volume by 70%, as well as ensuring higher sound pressure and deeper bass range.

As it should be, the Jeep Commander is fully connected. The model brings Adventure Intelligence, Jeep’s exclusive connectivity platform, in all models. The platform delivers convenience, assistance, and entertainment with smart maps, emergency calls, and a WiFi hotspot that connects up to eight devices to the Jeep Commander’s native WiFi.

A big new feature of the Overland version of the platform is the Alexa in-vehicle function, which takes Amazon’s personal assistant into the new Jeep SUV. Just be connected and synchronized with your account and you can use all Alexa functions from inside the car. In addition to all the familiar commands, such as closing the windows, turning on the headlights or the engine, the Jeep Commander has access to all the assistant’s commands, including those external to the vehicle. For example, you can ask Commander to open the garage door, see the weather, look for a restaurant or pharmacy, or even add an item to a shopping list.

The Commander also features Jeep Off-Road Pages with information such as the degree of vertical and lateral inclination, selected traction system, and differential lock status.

Developed on the Small Wide platform (same as the Compass and Renegade), the Jeep Commander has a body made of 79% high and ultra-resistant steel, which provides greater safety to its occupants by increasing rigidity and absorbing impacts. The model features new front and rear suspensions with geometry and calibration adapted to the model’s dimensions and weight. They were developed to deliver the best performance, handling, and comfort in all conditions.

Even the Commander’s air conditioning performance stands out. With the dual-zone system and rear blower, it has the best third-row temperature in the segment, 10% lower than competitors.

The model also has thermo-acoustic insulation glass. The windshield and windows of the new Jeep SUV bring a unique technology. Developed in several layers, they ensure better insulation, reducing up to 10db in sound and around 10°C (50°F) in vehicle interior temperature. To top it off, the rear and side windows are darker, providing more privacy and sun protection.

Another Jeep Commander differential is in relation to its Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) behavior, with the best articulation and comfort index among the competitors. The model was developed to deliver a low noise level in the most diverse conditions, whether in urban traffic or highways, on smooth asphalt, or on uneven pavements and unpaved roads.

As we said before, there will be two powertrain combinations. The first is the turbocharged 1.3-liter FireFly inline-four-cylinder from the Global Small Engine (GSE) family. In Brazil, Jeep is now calling it the T270 engine due to the torque rating. The T270 engine, which offers low CO2 emissions and great performance. It is already prepared to meet the requirements of the Proconve L7, scheduled for January 2022. Its design is focused on efficiency and features low fuel consumption.

The engine produces 185 horsepower and 270 Nm (200 ft.-lb.) of torque on ethanol. 

All of the T270-powered Commanders feature a 6-speed automatic transmission and 4×2 traction system. They also bring the Sport driving mode, which enables a differentiated calibration, with faster gear changes that are now performed at higher revs. This makes the throttle response more agile and steering firmer for a sportier driving experience.

The Jeep Commander also has Traction Control +, a traction control system that works in conditions where the vehicle has a low grip floor with the ground on one of the wheels. It is available for all 4×2 versions. The system applies braking torque to the wheel that is slipping and transfers the torque to another wheel that is in contact with the ground. To enable the function, the driver simply presses the ASR OFF key. So, even with front-wheel drive, the model can still venture on the trails, like every Jeep.

The Jeep Commander also offers as an option the four-cylinder turbo-diesel TD380 engine, which received a specific calibration map, new engine flywheel, new torque converter, new turbine, and had an improved pedal curve, allowing a torque increase of 350 Nm (258 ft.-lb.) to 380 Nm (280 ft.-lb.) of torque and 170 horsepower.

The TD380 also anticipates compliance with Proconve L7 standards. The propeller brings the SCR exhaust gas after-treatment system, reducing the emission of polluting gases. Thus, it is necessary to use the ARLA32 additive. In the TD380 engine, the autonomy is about 10,000 km (or about 6,200 miles). Thus, the driver will not need to stop to refuel with the additive very often.

With the authentic DNA Jeep, all Turbo Diesel versions of the Commander have a 4×4 traction system with low-range, 9-speed automatic transmission, terrain selector with three modes (Sand/Mud, Snow, and Auto), and Hill Descent Control (HDC), that assists the driver in steep descents during off-road routes. In addition, they have a minimum height from the ground of 21.2 cm (8.34 inches), an approach angle of 26°, and a departure angle of 24°.

Naturally sophisticated, the Jeep Commander is designed to be complete. Thus, it comes with two very well-equipped versions that already deliver the best series content, as is the case with vehicles in the premium segment. With the exception of choosing exterior and interior colors, the customer does not need to define anything else when purchasing a Commander.

It is worth remembering that the range of versions of Jeep models usually starts with the Sport, goes through Longitude (Latitude for North America), and then reaches the Limited. In Jeep Commander, the first version is already Limited. In addition, as the Commander comes to bring this new level of sophistication to Jeep models made in Brazil, the Overland version debuts in the national portfolio as the top of the model range.

Limited – 

The Limited version comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels, Full LED exterior lighting, and seats in Black Leather and Suede and Black interior finish. It brings a lot of technology with a 10.25-inch Full Digital cluster, 10.1-inch multimedia center with Adventure Intelligence platform and wireless mirroring, cell phone charger by induction, Keyless Enter ‘N Go, front seats with electric adjustments, and electric opening of the trunk. In addition, it has seven airbags and all the Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) mentioned above.

In addition to all this, the T270 turbo flex 4×2 version comes with Jeep Traction Control+. The diesel engine configuration also has 4×4 Low mode, terrain selector with three modes (Sand/Mud, Snow, and Auto), and Hill Descent Control.

Overland –

Overland features 19-inch aluminum wheels and Leather and Brown Suede seats. To complete, in addition to the contents offered in the Limited T270 version, the Commander’s top-of-the-range version also comes with a panoramic sunroof, premium Harman Kardon sound system, electric passenger seat, trunk with a presence sensor, and 127v sockets. Commander even brings Adventure Intelligence Plus with Alexa in Vehicle. The TD380 configuration, in addition to everything on the Limited turbo diesel, features body-colored lower moldings, and Jeep Off-Road Pages.

The Commander starts production in Brazil this week. It will also be built in India, next year in April under the “Meridian” name for the Indian marketplace.

What do you think of the new Commander? Would you like it to come to the North American market? Let us know in the comments below.