Background: Cherokee is out and now Liberty stands tall. Jeep, the sport-utility-exclusive branch of DaimlerChrysler, introduced its first new vehicle since its top-of-the-line Grand Cherokee bowed in April of 1992 when the 2002 Liberty hit dealers this past May. Liberty replaces the boxy, mid-sized Cherokee in Jeep’s product mix. Cherokee debuted in 1984. The Jeep brand has been around in one form or another for 60 years. In addition to the mid-size Liberty and full-size Grand Cherokee, the Jeep lineup also includes the entry-level, compact Wrangler.
Liberty’s design was inspired in part by the 1997 Dakar and 1998 Jeepster, both concept vehicles that toured the country on the auto show circuit during the past few years. And give the marketing folks at Jeep a tip of the cap on this new vehicle’s name, given the country’s renewed sense of patriotism since the September 11 terrorist attacks. DaimlerChrysler assembles Liberty at an all-new assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio capable of churning out 200,000 units annually.
Engine/Trim level: The all-new,
2002 Jeep Liberty comes in two trim levels: entry-level Sport (with a limited amount of standard equipment) and up-level Limited. The Sport edition is available with two engine choices: a 2.4-liter, inline four-cylinder engine delivering 150 horsepower comes standard while an all-new, 3.7-liter, 12-valve V-6 engine generating 210 horsepower is available. However, the larger V-6 engine is the sole powertrain in Limited editions. Five-speed manual transmission is standard in both engines. Electronic automatic multi-speed transmission comes optional only with the V-6 powertrain.
Both trim levels come with the choice of rear-wheel 4 x 2 or 4 x 4 drivetrains. Two four-wheel drive systems are available: Command Trac part-time four-wheel drive or Select Trac full-time four-wheel drive (Select Trac is available with V-6 engines with automatic transmission.) By comparison Toyota’s all-new Highlander sport utility is available with a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine with 155 horsepower or a 3.0-liter six cylinder engine generating 220 horses. Automatic transmission comes standard in Highlander. Ford’s latest SUV entry, the Escape also offers two engine selections: a 2.0-liter four banger with 127 horses and a larger 3.0-liter six cylinder powertrain with 201 horsepower.
Standard equipment: Both trim levels include: rack-and-pinion steering, halogen headlamps, rear window defroster, intermittent front windshield wipers and rear windshield wiper. Roof racks, capable of handling 220 pounds of cargo, air conditioning, power door locks, compact disc players, power windows, cruise control, adjustable steering column and fog lamps come standard in Limited while optional in Sport. A power sunroof and heated, fold-away side mirrors are optional across the board.
Price: The folks at Jeep supplied the Daily Herald with a nicely loaded, Liberty 4 x 4 Sport with four-wheel drive, V-6 engine and automatic transmission. The vehicle listed at $17,960 but after factoring in the customer preferred package ($2,445), off-road group ($765), automatic transmission ($825), V-6 engine ($850) and compact disc player, the bottom line totaled $23,350 including the $585 destination charge. The lowest-priced Liberty, 4 x 2 Sport starts at $16,450. A Limited edition with standard V-6 engine starts at $21,795 for a 4 x 2 edition and $22,720 for the 4 x 4 variety. By comparison the lowest priced Ford Escape, a four cylinder version with manual transmission and two-wheel drive starts at $19,030 while its six-cylinder counterpart starts at $21,945. A two-wheel-drive Highlander starts at $23,880.
Interior: Liberty’s interior design is pleasantly straight forward with most knobs and dials within easy reach of drivers. The only notable exception are the four power window switches located between front bucket seats near the front of a rear-hinged flip-top storage bin. Also in this area are dual in-line beverage holders, floor-mounted automatic transmission shifter, hand-operated parking brake and transfer case for shifting into four-wheel high and low. The instrument panel, easy to read at a glance, has two large circular gauges in the middle (tachometer, speedometer) flanked by a smaller left-side fuel gauge and right side temperature gauges.
Gauges utilize black lettering on a white background. All cruise control functions are found on the steering wheel. Headlights operate from the turn signal stalk while front and rear wipers activate from a right-side steering column stalk. All interior door levers pull out from a circular-inspired home base, an interesting touch. The driver’s door is also home to power outside mirror and lock switches positioned at a 45-degree angle. Two round air vents adorn the middle of the dashboard with two more are flanked at each end. A hazard light button is atop the central dashboard. The stereo system, with a digital clock sharing time with the radio frequency display, is below. Three large, easy-to-grab dials monitor fan speed, direction and temperature.
Seating comfort: The Liberty is designed to accommodate five passengers with cloth seating standard; leather surfaces are a Limited edition option. Some larger SUVs including the 2002 Cadillac Escalade and 2002 Mercury Mountaineer have available third-row seating capable of handling seven riders. The driver’s front bucket seat was a bit narrower than other SUV front seats recently tested. As with most SUVs, drivers sit higher up and have very good road visibility.
Jeep kept blind spots at a minimum when designing Liberty. Two grab latches at the top of rear seats allow back rests to fold down on the cushions with a 60/40 split. Molded into each rear door is a single beverage holder. Rear power window controls are not on doors, but are found in the middle lower region between the front bucket seats. Cargo room with the rear seat up measures in at 29.0 cubic feet. With the rear seat folded down, cargo volume expands to 69.0 cubic feet. Jeep locates two ceiling handles above the rear doors while front seat travelers’ grab handles are molded into side “A” pillars.
V-6 Sport dimensions:
Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Overall length: 174.4 inches
Overall height: 70.9 inches
Overall width: 71.6 inches
Curb weight: 4,115 pounds
Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds (with automatic transmission)
Exterior: The all-new, four-door exclusive Liberty boasts a much more modern, flowing exterior look then the Cherokee it replaces. The front grille includes Jeep’s trademark vertical grill but this time around, it’s flanked by circular headlights on each side (Cherokee’s box theme was evident even with its square headlights). Thin, band-like turn signal lights are below, molded into the front bumper cladding with circular fog lights positioned below. The front hood arches up slightly at both sides flowing into the headlight area. Jeep mounts the spare tire on the hatchback door, but it’s low enough as not to interfere greatly with rear-view mirror perception. The Sport edition includes a temporary spare standard while Limited editions has a full-size spare. Full-size spares are optional in Sport. Body molding surrounds wheel well arches.
The rear door opens in a rather unique fashion. The bottom gate, hinged at the left swings open from the right side once the strap-like right-side handle is pulled out all the way. When the door swings open, the top glass portion automatically pops open. Jeep call this single-action the “swing gate/flipper glass system.” If needed, the top glass area opens independently by pulling on the handle half way for quick trips into the cargo area. Two vertical taillights adorn the sides of the rear gate. The four passenger doors also incorporate black, strap-like handles; side-view mirrors are black as well. Sixteen-inch steel wheels come standard while cast aluminum hub caps are optional. The circular, non-locking fuel tank is on the left rear fender. A whip radio antenna extends up from the right front fender.
Safety features: All Libertys include multi-stage dual front air bags and rear child safety locks standard. Liberty is also the first Jeep vehicle with available side curtain air bags ($390) providing head protection for both front and rear occupants. Anti-lock brakes ($600) and theft deterrent systems are also optional. Keyless remote entry comes standard in Limited. Underbody rails, with high-strength steel running the length the vehicle, work with other components to reduce the likelihood of component intrusion into the passenger compartment during unforeseen, high-intensity impacts.
Fuel economy: Our six-cylinder powertrain with automatic transmission and four-wheel drive generated 16 miles per gallon in city travel and 20 m.p.g. highway. With manual transmission, highway mileage increases by one mile. The six-cylinder engine requires mid-level, 89 octane fuel. The four-cylinder powertrain with manual transmission boasts the best mileage with estimates of 19 miles per gallon in city travel and 23 m.p.g. highway. Four cylinder engines utilize 87-octane gas. The tanks holds 18.5 gallons of fuel. By comparison a Ford Escape with six-cylinder engine and automatic transmission generates 18 m.p.g. city and 23 m.p.g. highway.
Final thoughts: The sport utility segment continues birthing more and more offspring. In a few months, the Saturn division of General Motors debuts its first ever SUV. The Jeep name has been around longer than just about any other sport utility, making Jeep the granddaddy of the SUV kingdom.
Jeep made a name for itself as a go anywhere vehicle capable of travel on or off pavement. Many recent compact and mid-size SUV introductions including the Ford Escape and Toyota Highlander look like an SUV from the outside, but underpinnings are most suited to on-road adventures because of a car-based automotive platform. Thanks to a link-coil sold axle rear suspension, and coil spring independent front suspension, Liberty handles off-the beaten track travel as well as trips to the grocery store. Small-to-midsize SUVs continue as one of the hottest segments in the automotive business so Jeep dealers should be plenty busy dealing on the new Liberty. September Liberty sales checked in at 12,553. Total sales since the May introduction is 45,059.