2008 Jeep Liberty Review

PROS
Tenacious off-road ability, Civilized interior, Cargo and utility room

CONS
Poor fuel economy, Bouncy ride, Lackluster engine

Jeep introduced the Liberty in 2002 as the spiritual successor to the long-running Cherokee. That vehicle single-handedly created the four-door sport-utility craze when it was introduced in 1984. Like Cherokee, Liberty arrived as a five-passenger, four-door sport-utility vehicle with a rear tailgate. It was designed to maintain Jeep's rugged reputation as an off-road king while also competing with "softer" utilities like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4. Unlike those vehicles, the Liberty maintained true off-road ready four-wheel drive systems.

The original Liberty fulfilled its mission, bridging the gap between traditional SUVs and the new breed of so called "Cute Utes." It introduced thousands of customers to the Jeep brand who would have never considered the rugged Jeep Wrangler. Last year, Jeep introduced two new compact utility vehicles, the Patriot and Compass. Both fit neatly into the "Cute Ute" category and that left room for Liberty to return to its main mission of a offering affordable off-road vehicle that could also double as a daily driver.

Though the exterior shape is immediately recognizable, Liberty was redesigned for 2008. With the update, exterior and interior dimensions grow and Chrysler introduced a chassis companion called Dodge Nitro. The biggest change for the '08 Liberty is in wheelbase and overall length, both grow by about two inches. Inside, rear seat leg room grows by an inch and a half. Surprisingly, cargo room shrinks by five cubic feet.

Liberty is offered in two models: Sport and Limited. Both are available with rear-wheel drive or one of two all-wheel-drive systems. Standard on four-wheel-drive models is Command Trac. It's a part-time system with low range. Optional is Select Trac II. It has a full-time four-wheel-drive mode. It also has a low range. Both systems are off-road capable.

Sole engine is a 3.7-liter V6 that makes 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic optional. A four-cylinder engine and diesel V6 that had been available in the previous-generation Liberty are no longer offered.

Standard safety features include antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, hill-descent control, tire-pressure monitor, and dual front and side-curtain airbags. Side airbags are not offered and a rear-obstacle-detection system is optional.

Sport models come with air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, front bucket seats, center console, split-folding rear bench seat, power windows, mirrors, and locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with auxiliary input, theft-deterrent system, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Limited models add leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, power driver seat, heated mirrors, satellite radio, universal garage-door opener, automatic mirror, fog lights, privacy glass, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Key options include 115-volt AC power outlet, leather upholstery, remote engine start, auto climate control, Bluetooth cell-phone link, trailer-tow package, sunroof, Sky Slider canvas roof, and MyGIG multimedia system. The MyGIG system includes a navigation system with voice control and real-time traffic and hard drive for storage of music and photos.

The least expensive model is the rear-drive Sport, which has a base price of $20,330. Topping the line is the four-wheel drive Limited with a sticker of $26,120. All models have a destination charge of $695 and are built in Toledo, Ohio.

Get Up and Go
Liberty's 3.7-liter V6 is no fireball. When pressed, the engine pushes Liberty from 0-60 mph in about 9.5 seconds. That's below the compact SUV norm but still acceptable in routine city and highway driving. Rear-drive models feel sprightlier than heaver four-wheel-drive models--though if you live in Chicagoland or are planning on doing any off-road driving, you'll want to opt for the four-wheel drive. Given the power deficit, highway passing and merging require additional planning.

Interestingly, Jeep didn't give Liberty a more modern transmission in the 2008 redesign. The carry-over four-speed automatic is short a gear or two compared to offerings in competitors. While it shifts smoothly enough, the transmission is hesitant to downshift without a firm kick in the throttle.

The four-speed automatic also hurts overall fuel economy. The four-wheel-drive Liberty is EPA rated at 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. That compares to 23/28 mpg for Jeep's own Compass and 23/27 mpg for the Jeep Patriot. In typical urban commuting expect to average about 16 mpg, perhaps as high as 18 mpg if your commute includes lots of highway driving. Jeep says that all Liberty models will run fine on regular-grade gasoline.

On the Road
Liberty can't match the quietly-comfortable ride of Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Liberty rides more like a traditional sport-utility vehicle than a compact car or wagon. There's plenty of suspension travel, but the ride is firmer than you'd expect. It's not so firm as to be choppy or harsh, but there's some bouncing on rough roads.

Drivers looking for a sporty handling utility vehicle should consider something other than Liberty. There's too much body lean and the tires don't have much on-road grip. In addition, the steering isn't convincingly sharp or accurate and stopping power is only modest. That said, Liberty is perfectly comfortable in around-town driving and on expressways, it's just not a sports car.

Liberty shines off the beaten path. Approach and departure angles are more than twenty degrees and there's more than nine inches of ground clearance. Jeep offers two four-wheel drive systems, both feature a low range for off-road slogging. Command-Trac is a part-time system that shouldn't be driven in four-wheel-drive mode on dry pavement. Selec-Trac II has a four-wheel-drive-auto mode that can be left engaged on dry pavement.

Noise levels are higher than the sport-utility norm, thanks to a fair amount of highway wind noise from the upright windshield and A pillars. Road noise is nicely quelled and the 3.7-liter V6 cruises quietly. Buffeting from the optional Sky Slider roof is surprisingly minimal. In fact, there's more buffeting when it is partially open than when it is all the way open. With the Sky Slider roof closed, there's more road and wind noise than in a vehicle with a traditional glass sunroof, but less noise than in a true convertible.

Behind the Wheel
Liberty's new-for-'08 interior is traditional in its blockyness, but modern enough to be functional and easy on the eye. Materials are appropriate for the class but no more. Given the Liberty's true mission as an on- and off-road vehicle, this probably makes more sense than an upscale interior that's incapable of standing up to the mud and grime of off-road use.

Easy-to-read gauges sit deeply protected behind a dashboard cowl and are nicely trimmed in chrome. Audio controls are placed high on the center console. They are clearly marked and easy to operate. Climate controls consist of three simple knobs within easy reach of both driver and passenger. Window, lock and mirror controls are conveniently placed on the driver's armrest. There are few switches at the base of the center console for things like the hazards, heated seats, and stability control. They are an awkward reach, but thankfully are rarely used.

Firm and comfortable front seats offer good leg room but only adequate head room. Compared to other compact sport-utility vehicles, Liberty feels narrow inside and this is most evident at shoulder level. The driving position is higher than most and provides a commanding view of the road. Outward visibility is good, thanks to thin pillars, and the available rear-obstacle-detection system aids in parking.

Rear seats are flat but comfortable. Head room is good, but knee space is tight if the front seats are all the way back. The door openings are also quite narrow, making it a challenge for larger adults to get in and out.

Cargo space is slightly better than the compact sport-utility norm, and the large hatch and tall build make the most of the space. Rear seats fold flat if you first remove the headrests. Interior storage is highlighted by a large open bin at the top of the center console.

Bottom Line
The 2008 Jeep Liberty is more refined and user friendly than the model it replaces. However, it's still not as domesticated as competitors like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4. It also trails all competitors in fuel economy.

Liberty's strong point is its ability to be civil on road and highly competent off. That's a rare commodity among compact sport-utility vehicles. If you're looking for something more car-like, but still desire the Jeep brand, give Compass or Patriot a look see.