Here's the page that shows the stats for all the versions of the Commander.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2006_Jeep_Commander.shtml
In the other article on Trucks, it said there were only 4WD models available, so I'm not sure about the 2WD. I haven't checked out the Jeep/Chrysler site to check. Even the souped up 5.7L 4WD gets better milage than my Durango though.
I kind of figured that it had little cargo space with the 3rd row. That definatly makes it out for us. Usually when we need to use our 3rd row, it's when we are picking someone up from the airport, or when I've got a couple extra kids with me (with kid stuff) so I've gotten good at using the rack on top. But then that drags your milage down even worse...lol
Here in Northern Idaho a 4WD is a must. Probably 70% of the roads around here are dirt and a car just gets beat to pieces. Right now we live right on a chip sealed road that gets plowed, but we used to live 2 miles back on a hilly dirt road. The snow was bad in the winter, and in the spring when the snow melted, you had to mud bog just to get to town! We live in the valley now, but are looking at property 11 miles up the mountain. It's so far back there isn't even a phone. We drove up there a few weeks ago and were pushing through 2 feet of snow (in the plowed section LOL). We didn't have any problems, but I was getting nervous. There's no way you could make it in a car. If we end up moving up there, we will have to get a truck with a plow. Oh, and here it is the middle of March, and we have a foot of snow on the ground and it's dumping down more every minute. I have to go to town this afternoon b/c it has been so snowy the past few days I haven't wanted to drag the kids out, but we pretty much are down to a jar of pickles and the baking soda in the fridge.
This should be a fun ride. LOL I have been VERY happy with the AWD and traction control on my Durango. The only time I have ever slipped was when I was goofing around, and even then, it was hard to get the tires to spin.
I do think it's funny that so many people drive trucks and SUV's that have never been in 4WD. A couple weeks ago I saw a line of 16 Hummers (H1's, H2's and H3's) all driving back to town COVERED in mud. I would have a hard time mudding a $60,000 truck, but I gotta respect the person who does.