Jeep, the king of outdoor vehicles, is synonymous with four-wheel drive vehicles that offer a stable ride and powerful performance on off-road and snowy roads. Jeep's flagship model, the Grand Cherokee , and the only Jeep with a diesel engine, the Commander, are especially popular with skiers and snowboarders. The two vehicles have similar appearances, but how do they actually work? We compare the Grand Cherokee and Commander, including comments from Jeep owners who own both vehicles.
Requirements for a car to use on snowy mountains
Let's think about the conditions for the car you would like to use to go skiing or snowboarding in the snowy mountains
・It is a four-wheel
. ・There is enough space inside the vehicle to comfortably store long items (skis, snowboards) of about 180 cm and other gear
. ・It has various functions that make it strong on snowy roads
. ・It is equipped with convenient functions for driving in winter.
・It can comfortably accommodate sleeping in the vehicle when necessary.
There's no doubt that these are roughly the conditions that Jeep needs. Among Jeep models, the ones that easily meet these criteria are the flagship Grand Cherokee, which boasts Jeep's traditional off-road capabilities, and the Commander, a diesel-engine, three-row, seven-passenger SUV. These two vehicles look similar, but what are they actually like inside, and how easy are they to use?
What's the difference between the Grand Cherokee and the Commander?
Grand Cherokee Limited
The Grand Cherokee is Jeep's flagship model, combining luxury equipment and a comfortable ride with a full-fledged outdoor vehicle. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, its evolution shows no signs of stopping. The main features of the Limited are ample interior space, a snow driving mode, and outstanding stability on snowy roads. Of course, it is also excellent for city and highway driving
Its main specifications are a five-seater, inline four-cylinder DOHC turbo, 1995cc, eight-speed automatic transmission. Its overall length of 4900mm, width of 1980mm, and height of 1810mm make it large, requiring careful maneuvering in tight spaces, but it is extremely easy to drive for a large SUV
The luxurious exterior and interior match well with the city, and also exude a unique style and presence in snowy mountains and other outdoor scenes. This is perhaps the true reason why the Grand Cherokee is chosen
Compare the Grand Cherokee and Commander at a glance!
| Grand Cherokee Limited | Functions (Function details) | Commander Limited |
| 4WD | Drive | 4WD |
| 4900mm×1980mm×1810mm | Total length x width x height | 4770mm x 1860mm x 1730mm |
| 60:40 split | Cargo space arrangement | 2nd row 60:40 split 3rd row 50:50 split |
| 5 people | Passenger capacity | 7 people |
| regular | fuel | diesel |
| ー | fuel economy | 10.1 (city mode), 14.8 (suburban mode) , 17.3 (highway mode) km/l |
| Inline 4-cylinder DOHC turbo | engine | Turbocharged inline 4-cylinder DOHC diesel |
| 1995cc | Engine displacement | 1956cc |
| can be | SNOW mode | can be |
| can be | Heated seats | can be |
| can be | Steering wheel heater | can be |
| Available for PHEV models | PHEV | none |
| Set to high grade | air suspension | none |
| 4 colors | Color variations | 4 colors |
| option | sunroof | option |
| none | Third row seats | can be |
| Power gate | lift gate | Hands-Free Power |
| can be | fog lights | can be |
| 10.1 inches | In-touch panel monitor | 10.1 inches |
| 3 | Number | 3 |
| 8,300,000 yen (tax included) | price | 5,970,000 yen (tax included) |
Commander Limited
The Commander Limited, a seven-seater with three rows of seats and a diesel engine, will be released as a fully redesigned model in 2022. It is slightly smaller than the Grand Cherokee. The main differences are that it has a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-four-cylinder turbo diesel engine and seats seven people. And it will be priced significantly cheaper than the Grand Cherokee
The first impression is that the exterior is strikingly cool. If the Grand Cherokee has a luxurious presence, the Commander exudes a sophisticated coolness. The unique design, which connects the traditional Jeep seven-slot front grille to the slightly thinner LED lights, gives the impression of beauty and strength, even though it is positioned as a rugged SUV
It's aimed at families who want a minivan and want an SUV that's spacious, stylish, and easy to drive. Folding the third row provides ample luggage space. Folding the second row also creates a fully flat seating area, making it suitable for sleeping overnight. The only downside is that it's not 180 degrees like the Grand Cherokee, but has a slight incline
The car runs smoothly and stably on snowy roads, highways, and in town. I'll leave the detailed driving impressions to the car magazines, but it's a reliable, stress-free, powerful car for snowy mountain driving. It also runs on diesel, making it cost-effective
Each owner's impression
Grand Cherokee Limited
Mr. A (52 years old), Grand Cherokee owner for 7 years
Mr. A has been skiing for over 30 years. Recently, he has become addicted to powder snow, and enjoys side country skiing and guided tours accessible from the slopes. His current Grand Cherokee is his second, and he drives just under 20,000 km per year
Why I chose the Grand Cherokee
I do skiing, mountain climbing in the summer, and camping, so I bought the Graciello seven years ago as a 4WD with ample cargo space. This is my second car. My previous one was an Altitude. It had a generous 3600cc displacement, but the 2000cc turbo engine gave me a smooth and stable ride, so I switched without any problems. I'm happy that the weight tax has also gone down
Impressions
The driver's seat is high and provides a wide field of view, making it easy to drive, and the spacious seats mean you don't get tired on long drives. Even at high speeds, the car offers a stable ride without the intimidating feeling of speed. When I drive other cars, I am reminded of how comfortable my own car is. Perhaps thanks to the air suspension, the sense of stability is very high
I usually fold down the rear seats halfway and always carry two pairs of skis. When I go with friends, I can fit more. Even with three people and a lot of luggage, the living space is comfortable. I used to use a jet bag, but I didn't like the wind noise and the reduced fuel efficiency, so I started storing my luggage inside the car. It's also easier to take things in and out
I have never gotten stuck on a snowy mountain. Even when I wake up in the morning and there is a fair amount of snow, I can easily get out without using a shovel by simply moving the car back and forth to create space in the snow. The tires are 21 inches, but because the wheelbase is wide, I have never gotten stuck in snow
When the temperature drops, the seat heaters turn on automatically when you start the engine. If you forget to turn them off, it gets too hot
The seats fold flat, so sleeping in the car is stress-free. I use it a few times a summer season. I'm short at 170cm tall, but it doesn't feel cramped even when loaded with luggage. It takes a little ingenuity to sleep comfortably with two people, though. With a cooler box, lanterns, and our own curtains, sleeping in the car is comfortable
Fuel economy is not great, about 10-19 km/h on highways and 5-6 km/h in city driving, but since it uses regular gasoline, I think it's within the acceptable range
Commander Limited
Mr. K (41 years old) with 6 years of Jeep experience
Mr. K enjoys both skiing and snowboarding. He has been skiing since he was a child, for over 30 years. He goes on family ski trips with his children several times a season, but during the peak season from January to February, he enjoys weekend mountain climbing with friends in search of fresh snow. He drives about 12,000 km a year
Why did you choose Commander?
I was originally driving a used Grand Cherokee Limited, but recently traded in for a new Commander. I've only had it for one winter, but it's very easy to use. The biggest difference I can feel from the Grand Cherokee is the diesel engine. Previously, it had a 3600cc 8-speed automatic transmission, which felt heavy, but now it feels light and nimble, and I feel no stress on the highway or on snowy roads. Being able to use diesel fuel is a huge help, especially with gasoline prices soaring
Impressions
Some people point out the engine noise that is unique to diesels, but I actually like that wild sound. The ride is very smooth. Even on the highway, you won't get tired using the adaptive cruise control and active lane management functions. Like the Graciero, it's great that you can drive with a high driver's eye level
It seats seven, but I always keep the third row folded down. I've only used it about twice so far
When we go skiing or fishing, we fold down the second-row seats halfway and store long items inside the car. I think it's also possible to sleep overnight, but I haven't tried it yet. It's a shame that the second-row seats don't fold completely flat when we put our kids to sleep, but we can adjust the thickness of the blankets to fit, so it's not a problem
It gives you a sense of security on snowy roads. As with the Graciero, the car has a high ride height and large tires, so you don't have to worry about getting stuck. It drives well
The best thing about buying it is that people around me say it's cool. I agree. When I compared it with the Graciero, Compass, and Renegade at the dealership, the Commander seemed the most stylish. I'd say the fuel economy in suburban areas is about 15km/L, but it might be a little lower in the city
Since I drive it almost every week, the fact that it uses diesel fuel is a big plus. I also want to praise the fact that the weight tax has become cheaper than before. I was able to buy a new car because it was much cheaper than the Gracello, which gave me the push I needed. I do think that the Gracello has a more luxurious interior, but when you weigh the driving performance, various functions, and overall satisfaction against the price, it feels like a great deal
summary
So, which one should you choose? This will depend on the user's lifestyle and preferences, but when considering a car for a trip to the snowy mountains, it's hard to choose between the two in terms of driving, stability, and livability. If you're forced to choose, if you prioritize luxury, the Grand Cherokee is the way to go, and if you're looking for a Jeep feel at a cost-effective price, the Commander is the way to go. These
are two cars you should definitely consider when choosing a car for a trip to the snowy mountains.
Information
Jeep official website: https://www.jeep-japan.com/
Official SNS: Instagram ｜ Facebook ｜ Twitter ｜ YouTube