Yesterday afternoon, my folks drove 120 miles south and rescued us from the Lost Coast Brewery, a wonderful little joint that we had set up camp in while we waited. We transferred our belongings from the stricken Jeep into the back of their Honda Odyssey. Even with the Honda's third seat in use, all of our stuff from the back of the Jeep, plus items the girls had piled between them in the second row, fit well below the headrests in the Odyssey.
So if you are serious about needing a third row, and mererly haul an average amount of stuff, the recent crop of medium sized SUVs with third row seating might be a disappointment. Our Commander can't handle nearly as much junk with its third row stowed as a minivan can with the third seat in use. And with the third row occupied, it can't haul much of anything.
Dan Edmunds, Director of Automotive Testing still @ 24,615 miles
thebigal says:
10:06 PM, 08/23/06
you just made a great point - what's the point of these SUV's like the Commander? It costs more than the Oddysey, gets worse mileage, doesn't ride as well, holds less stuff, breaks down more often, and most owners will probably never test it's "trail ratedness". For me, I think I'll go and get an Oddyssey when it's time.
dclark2 says:
10:26 PM, 08/23/06
This is funny! As I read this, I was drinking some Lost Coast ale at my computer! If the Jeep is built to only leave you stranded at brew pubs, I'll buy one tomorrow!
actualsize says:
10:40 PM, 08/23/06
Score one for you dclark2. Hopefully you didn't spew any on the keyboard. It's bad for the computer and a waste of good beer.
crockette says:
10:02 PM, 11/ 9/06
Too funny.... I think everyone has had a breakdown in a vehicle at one time or another if they are past 30. True the Commander doesn't carry all that a mini-van will or for that matter a lot of other SUV's and some cars. If that is the only reason you bought one then you just wasted some cash. Trail Rated is definately being tested by some if you visit some other blogs you will see the pics. A lot of people buy a vehicle for looks and ride. Personally I own a Commander 4x4 with Leather and a 5.7 Hemi... I think it rides better than a Buick Lucerne which by the way I also own or my previous Tahoe. You must be kidding it rides worse than a mini-van.... Power, Response, Trail/Snow and Ride is what this vehicle is about.