Jeep's new mid-size, three-row Grand Commander is a China-only model, but the U.S. will soon get a similarly sized SUV of its own.
As hot as the domestic market is for three-row crossovers and SUVs right now, Jeep's decision to focus attention on China for such a vehicle shows how important that country is to the global automotive industry. The all-new Jeep Grand Commander was introduced at the Beijing Motor Show, giving Jeep its biggest vehicle since the Commander was killed off in 2010.
The Jeep Grand Commander was previewed last year by the 2017 Yuntu Concept, and production version has a familiar Jeep look with cues shared with the current Compass and Renegade. Measuring in at just under 192 inches long, the Grand Commander is about two inches longer than the Grand Cherokee, but it is narrower with a wheelbase that is four inches shorter. These dimensions make sense for a vehicle that will be more of a passenger hauler than an off-roader.
Under the hood, the Jeep Grand Commander uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This is similar to the powertrain found in the Cherokee, but output has dropped from 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque in the Cherokee to 231 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque in the Grand Commander.
Just after the release of the new Jeep Wrangler, this comes out of a busy automaker. When will the Grand Commander, or something like it arrive in America? We aren't sure if it's a sign of things to come, or if FCA has something else in mind for the United States.
There is no need to fret for U.S. buyers, though, as Jeep is preparing to revive the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer nameplate in the U.S. for a true full-size, three-row SUV.
Scroll down for more official images of China's new Grand Commander now that it's been unveiled at the Chinese auto show.
Would you drive this Jeep Commander, the three-row crossover SUV ready for a new generation? For now you can, if you're part of the Chinese market.
NEXT: JEEP WAGONEER CONFIRMED, PHEVS AND DESERTHAWK TRIM BY 2022
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