It seems that Jeep isn't a brand that does things in half measures. While it knows fully well that over 98 percent of Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) owners never take their cars off paved tarmac, it's heartening to know that the iconic American brand still engineered its latest effort, the Commander, thoroughly enough to satisfy the needs of the remaining two percent.

As if to drive home the point that the Commander is as capable as any other Jeep, its designers seem to have deliberately made it look as sexy as a pair of combat boots, which with a little imagination, isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Coupled with an equally imposing size, the Commander has about as much presence as an aircraft carrier ploughing through Orchard Road.

DRIVING IT

Of the two petrol-powered V8 engine variants the Commander comes in, the 326bhp 5.7-litre and 231bhp 4.7-litre, the latter will be offered locally when it is launched in June.

From the outside, both versions entertain on-lookers with characteristically lazy V8 burble even at low speeds which compliments its muscular styling.

Too bad though, that the engine's soundtrack isn't as audible inside the cabin which also goes some way in attesting to the Commander's sound proofing qualities.

Speaking of which, the Commander is surprisingly quiet for something with the aerodynamic properties of a brick. On paved tarmac at three-figure speeds, only faint traces of wind noise made its presence felt but not to the point where voices have to be raised to maintain a conversation.

Considering that the Commander was fitted with 245/65R 17 tyres, road roar was hardly an issue and even gravel trails failed to pepper the cabin with the expected rash of noise. The secret to this, according to Jeep, is because its wheel arches are lined with a soundproofing material it calls "quiet steel".

For a big car, the Commander is also surprisingly nimble. Manoeuvres through traffic clogged city streets are easier than its size suggests thanks to a turning circle of 11.8 metres. Put into perspective, the Honda Civic charts an 11.5 metre diameter circle at full lock.

Even on the softer US suspension set-up the test car came in (local versions will benefit from a firmer, "international handling package"), the Commander is a comfortable tourer with none of the motion sickness-inducing body movements big SUVs are often associated with, but going off the paved roads is where the big Jeep really starts to come into its own.

Built on the same platform as the Grand Cherokee, the Commander retains the same 2780mm wheelbase that Jeep believes is optimal for off-roading. Any longer and you risk turning your SUV into a giant see-saw when going over a mound with a sharp crest.

A torquey V8 powerplant is just half the equation to the Commander's off-road ability. Channelling its 410Nm of torque to the wheels that need it the most is an extremely clever four-wheel drive system called Qudra-Trac II on the 4.7-litre model.

Under normal conditions, power is distributed 48/52 between the front and rear wheels respectively and is variable up to 100 percent on either end when the occasion calls for it.

When the going gets really rough, say, when you're going down a 10-storey near vertical sand dune or over a car-sized boulder, a chrome T-shaped lever next to the gear selector engages a transfer case where, that lower ratios even more so that the equivalent torque is multiplied by a factor of 2.72 to 1 in addition to ratios already offered by the five-speed automatic in 'normal' or high-range mode as it is known.

Simply put, with the guidance of some of the best 4x4 experts in the business, we managed to get the Commander through terrain that you wouldn't even want to walk on, yet alone drive with a car.

INSIDE IT

Although the Commander looks bigger than the Grand Cherokee, in reality it is only 37mm longer overall and surprisingly, 13mm shorter than the Volvo XC90.

Consequently, it also comes as no surprise that there is next to no luggage space when occupied by seven people. Although legroom for the last row is only just suitable for moderate sized adults, everyone on board gets a clear view forward thanks a theatre-like seating arrangement where the second row is mounted 117mm higher than the front seats and row three is another 120mm higher than row two.

DOLLARS AND SENSE

Invariably, comparisons will be made with the Land Rover Discovery 3, another seven SUV with an off-road pedigree that's more than a match for the Jeep. However, where the Discovery 3 has gone up-market in terms of build quality and price, the Commander comes close enough to the point where its price (the same as the $201,888 Grand Cherokee) wouldn't make its owner feel like he's missing out on very much.

More to the point, the Commander might have an industrial-looking cabin with hard plastics, but at least it you wouldn't feel bad about getting it dirty.

Verdict

They say the desert does strange things to you and two days and 600km of driving through it changed my perception of the Commander from an ugly, boxy car to one that looked in its element and even started to look cool in its special way.

NEED TO KNOW

Model : Jeep Commander Limited
Engine Type : 4,701cc, 16-valve V8
Max Power : 231bhp at 4,500rpm
Max Torque : 410Nm at 3,600rpm
Gearbox : 5-speed automatic
Top speed : 189km/h
0-100km/h : 9.5 seconds
Price : $200,000 with COE (est)
Warranty : 3 years/100,000km
Contact : Chrysler Jeep Automotive of Singapore
Telephone : 6479-3333

SIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN

Land Rover Discovery 3 $275,888 with COE
There's little doubt as to the authenticity and ability of both the Land Rover and Jeep but the Discovery 3's considerable premium can be seen in the build quality that rivals many luxury cars let alone off-roaders.

Volvo XC90 T6 (A) $204,000 with COE
The first premium-badged seven-seater SUV and still one of the most versatile cars on the road. Facelifted model due later this year.