2006 Jeep Liberty Review

Want an alternative to hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles? Consider the Jeep Liberty Diesel SUV.

Nearly half the cars in Europe have diesel engines. That's where diesel fuel costs less than gasoline, which costs upward of $5 per gallon. Diesel vehicles also deliver higher fuel economy than gas-engine vehicles.

Unfortunately for Jeep, many Americans have lingering bad memories of General Motors' mediocre diesels. They were used in 1970s Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs, which debuted during the fuel economy hysteria of the 1970s.

Most modern European diesels are smooth, quiet and refined. But the GM diesels -- really converted gas engines -- were loud, smelly and provided mediocre performance.

No current GM car offers a diesel. However, the Mercedes-Benz mid-size E320 CDI sedan has a refined, sophisticated turbocharged six-cylinder diesel with good punch and delivers an estimated 27 mpg in the city and eye-opening 37 mpg on highways. (Many of the best diesels in Europe have six-cylinder and V-8 engines.)

The Liberty Diesel has a 2.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, introduced in 2005. It's the only vehicle in its class with a diesel. This common rail diesel (CRD) produces 160 horsepower and gobs of torque at a low 1,800 rpm, which is a typical diesel characteristic. The Italian-made engine comes from an outfit partly owned by DaimlerChrysler.

Jeep says the Liberty Diesel provides the torque of a V-8, performance of a V-6 and fuel economy of a four-cylinder gasoline engine. It also has a class-leading towing rating of 5,000 pounds and is covered by a five-year/100,000-mile warranty.

The Liberty Diesel's fuel economy is an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 26 on highways. Its estimated highway cruising range is 500 miles on a tank of fuel, which is the best in the mid-size SUV non-hybrid class.

European fuel-economy ratings give more weight to highway mileage, where diesels get much of their fuel economy advantage. In contrast, gas-electric hybrids are popular in America because the EPA's fuel-economy rating procedures favor stop-and-go driving common in rush-hour traffic.

Hybrids that shut down a gas engine at idle and rely on a battery power pack at lower speeds to keep going thus gain major mpg numbers in those tests. They also generally get city mpg ratings that are higher than highway ratings.

The only other Liberty engine is a 3.7-liter, 210-horsepower gasoline V-6, which comes with a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic. It provides 17-18 mpg in the city and 22-23 on highways.

The Mercedes E320 diesel sedan costs $51,050. The Liberty is priced at $25,290 for the Sport version and $27,480 for the Limited Edition model. (Gas-engine Libertys go from $21,190 to $26,090.)

Both Liberty Diesel models come with a five-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. They benefit from 2006 Liberty improvements, which include a standard Electronic Stability System consisting of an anti-skid system with anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic roll mitigation and brake assist for surer panic stops.

The Liberty Diesel provides decent performance in town, but could use another 50 horsepower (couldn't we all?). The 0-60 mph figure for this 4,296-pound Jeep is average at 10.1 seconds and 65-75 mph passing is lazy with just a driver aboard.

The Liberty Diesel isn't as quiet or refined as many European diesels. It suffers from the mild clatter and vibration of older diesels and briefly emits smoke after being started. The Jeep folks blame the noise partly on the fact that the diesel has large cylinders that create lots of noise and that the engine sits close to the passenger compartment.

While the Liberty Diesel isn't very fast, its turbocharged engine holds its own in city traffic and works well with its automatic transmission. That unit smoothly upshifts and downshifts and allows easy highway cruising.

The Liberty feels solid as a rock and has good steering and decent handling for a rather high SUV, although body lean is noticeable when swiftly taking curves. The firm suspension provides an acceptable ride on most roads, and the Liberty has impressive off-road abilities.

Extra effort is needed to get in, but passengers sit high. However, the front seats should be larger and offer more side support. And the large front console eats into occupant room. Also, a tall driver will wish his seat moved back farther. There's decent room for four 6-footers, although knee room gets tight behind a driver who shoves his seat all the way back.

Power window controls are inconveniently placed toward the rear of the front console. Gauges can be quickly read, and the large climate controls work smoothly. But audio system controls are too small for easy driver use.

Outside door handles are large, and the funky loop-style inside door handles are OK after occupants become used to them. Front doors have storage pockets, while rear doors have bottle holders and windows that roll down all the way.

The cargo door swings open to the left for easy curbside loading and its window automatically pops open and out of the way when the tailgate handle is pulled. The cargo opening is rather high, but cargo room is good with the back seat in its normal position and impressive when that seat is flipped forward.

The hood swings up smoothly on hydraulic struts, eliminating the need for a bothersome prop rod, and it's easy to reach fluid filler areas.

As with gas-electric hybrids, the Liberty Diesel isn't for everyone. But diesel engines last practically forever, and owners of this SUV can enjoy every mile of higher fuel economy -- after they find the locations of filling stations that offer diesel fuel. 

2006 JEEP LIBERTY DIESEL
PRICES: $25,290-$27,480

LIKES: Stylish for a Jeep. Higher diesel fuel economy. Rugged. Off-road abilities.

DISLIKES: Noisy engine. Average acceleration. Larger front seats needed.