Jeep has launched its new Commander range, the first of its products to have three rows of seating.

Chrysler UK said the Commander was deliberately designed to look boxy and was a return to the Cherokee styling of the early 1990s.

"Our market research tells us that there is an increasing desire for cars to have a unique look. And if you remember the sometimes negative reaction of customers when the original Cherokee was replaced by the current model in 2001 you will realise that there is also a huge following for the classic Jeep design here in the UK," said Simon Elliott, managing director of Chrysler UK.

The new seven-seater is fitted with a ‘Quadra-Drive II’ four-wheel drive system which uses electronic limited slip differentials and has the ability to keep the Commander going if only one wheel has traction.

The Commander Predator trim comes with ABS, ESP, tyre pressure warning light, body coloured grille and 17-inch alloy wheels as standard. The Limited model has the same spec, but adds dual zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, leather trimmed interior, front and rear park assist, and Boston Acoustics speaker system.

The Jeep Commander will be available in the UK from April with the 3.0-litre V6 CRD and 5.7-litre V8 HEMI engines. A choice of two trim levels is available on the 3.0-litre V6 CRD, Predator and Limited, the 5.7-litre V8 HEMI comes with the Limited trim only.

Chrysler expects nearly 80% of sales of the 700 Jeep Commanders allocated to the UK during this year will be diesels.

Jeep Commander prices:

Model Trim On-the-road price
Jeep Commander 3.0-litre V6 CRD Predator £27,490
Jeep Commander 3.0-litre V6 CRD Limited £30,990
Jeep Commander 5.7-litre V8 HEMI Limited £34,490
Optional Extras
Luxury Entertainment Pack* Limited only £3,000
Privacy Glass All models £250
Metallic paint Predator only £400

(* Luxury package: full screen satellite navigation including six disc changer, rear DVD system, power command-view sunroof with dual skylights)