Neither of them are going away. But they're both going away.

They (Jeep/Cerebrus/whoever) are simply holding onto a name that people recognize ("Grand Cherokee") and putting it on a vehicle that makes sense in buyers eyes (an upsized Commander). The Commander seems to be outselling the Dur-dodo right now and the vehicle itself isn't as good as it could be. Merging the them (GC & Commander) allows them to make one that's better than the two separately.

As a vehicle name, Grand Cherokee is outdated, but everyone's familiar with it. Name recognition shouldn't be underestimated. After all consider how many people buy Hondas just bcause they associate the words "reliable" & "affordable" with it? Commander falls more in line with the naming direction (Liberty, Compass, Patriot, etc) but streamlining things to maximize sales isn't something I would criticize them for.



On the other hand, perhaps this is a prelude to an across-the-board rebadging/restructuring that we've all been drooling for. Maybe they'll drop the Compass and replace it with a 2door offroad Wrangler alternative (call it a "Mutt"); drop the Patriot in favor of a Gladiator then replace the Commander & GC with a Rescue (7-seater that looks and functions like a Wrangler). And finally, they'll rename the Wrangler "CJ-9" and the the new Liberty the "XJ-2."


And then pigs will sprout wings...



((a guy can dream can't he?))

Until Chrysler / Jeep makes an official statement all of this is speculation and people talking out of their a$$.

I am glad to see some support for the Commander---Probably the most market-researched vehicle in the Chrysler lineup--And Jeep deliverd when they put out the Commander...

We own a 4.7L Commander and it is great---Great in snow, great off road and great in the sand...My only complaint is, of course, mileage-city mileage...We are getting 15 mpg city with some highway miles...I'm sure if we did straight city it would be more like 14 or even 13...But straight highway mileage is awesome, we are getting 22mpg on roadtrips. MDS is nice to save a mpg or two, but what the Commander needs is a Hybrid system or a diesel (or both).

I am glad to see a hybrid system coming down the line. It will be a two-mode hybrid coupled to the HEMI package, and hopefully, the Cummins 4.7L will find it's way into the next gen GC/Commander.

I am hoping the next gen is named Commander, because it has earned the top-spot in the Jeep lineup...Let's face it, the GC is old and stale as a platform. The basic formula has been around since the Grand Wagoneer, although we all have to hand it to Jeep for the staedy evolution of the platform over the years.

However, if Chrysler absolutely insists on keeping the GC as the Jeep company flagship, then I wouldn't want to see the Commander as a stretched 7 seat version of a 7 seat Cherokee, there will already be 3 versions of the platform running around, (GC, Durango, Aspen) so making a Commander like the oth ers would just make it a mutant.

I would rather like to see the Commander built as an 8-seat version of the Rescue concept, with the next generation Cummins turbo-diesel as the exclusive engine.

After all, Chrysler does have a track record of 'Hiding the future in plain sight'

The Grand Cherokee should be dropped in my opinion. Grand implies big, which it's never been except in price.
The Liberty & Unlimited are now crowding it's space.
the Commander should go to the "really fully-size" market, and stop being based on the GC
which is "wannabe full-size" IMHO.
The old Grand Wagoneer was a real full-size SUV. It irked me when Jeep advertised the "Full-size Grand Cherokee with
the CRD". It's mid-sized at best.
How do I define full-size?
A useable 3rd row that non-gymnast adults can get in/out of comfortably, and an available diesel towing up to 8000lbs = full size.

Cerebus should learn from the mistakes of their Daimler predecessors and the GC/Commander should go to the Durango platform and
use it's unique Jeep heritage to standout above it's brethern. Not blend in with them.
How, you ask?
Offer the heavy-duty engines in the heavy-duty vehicles: Wrangler for Off Road and
Commander for the tow/haul of big gear = CRD and MDS Hemi. Offer optional airbag suspensions for loads
and ride adjustable heights. Offer disconnects and lockers front & rear like the Rubicon and Power Wagon.
Add more of what makes Jeep unique and make it affordable in base trim.
Geeezsh, do I have to spell out everything for these guys?

And for the love of God, drop the Compass... that thing is worse than the Gremlin and Aztec.
And somebody please slap those guys over in the Skunkwerks for teasing us with the
JK50 concept last year... getting me a hard over the CRD in the JKL... oughta be a Cummins and ya know it!

Placing the Grand Cherokee and Durango on the same architecture is necessary due to the closing of Newark Assembly.

This probably means the Grand Cherokee will grow in size (everything below it has grown).

You may see a return of the Commander on a stretched Grand Cherokee platform if fuel economy issues settle down, otherwise, don't expect large SUVs from the new Chrysler.

I am kind of curious about the validity of all of the article. All the other sources point to the next generation top-end SUV from Jeep sharing a platform with the next generation Durango. So unless the Durango is also using a MB chassis...

Also, Jeep is better off carrying the Commander name if they make it boxy. Kind of silly to have a Grand Cherokee still around when there is no Cherokee name plate (here in the US).

I would much rather see the Commander stay around in a boxy form but just grow about 10 - 12 inches in length, an inch or two in ride height, etc. I would rather see the Grand Cherokee get replaced with something much more agressive like the Trailhawk concept (although I dislike the concepts rear quarter design).

That's 2 years longer than I thought it would last. I always liked the exterior (reminds me of my XJ... but on steroids) but that 3rd row (eliminating any useful cargo space) was ridiculous.

Ditch the Compass with it!

Then, extend & square up the GC, and we'll have an all-boxy lineup, like it should be! Right angles rule!

Maybe these cutbacks will make room for a Scrambler "JKS"... FINALLY!