Review
Introduction
Jeep introduced the Liberty in 2002 and completely redesigned it for the 2008 model year. This is a unibody small SUV that tries to marry carlike road manners with a Jeep’s go-anywhere ability. The redesigned Liberty only comes with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that produces 210 horsepower, mated to a four-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Base Libertys have rear-wheel drive, but there are two available all-wheel-drive systems: Command-Trac, which is a part-time, shift-on-the-fly setup; and Selec-Trac II, which is a full-time system. Hill-descent control is standard with both all-wheel-drive systems, and hill start assist is standard on all Libertys.
Verdict
The Liberty is a highly capable off-roader, but it suffers from a lack of poise on-road, at least compared with the best offerings from the Japanese, the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V. Although the Liberty’s interior is quite spacious, the quality of the materials and finishes is lacking compared with that of the class leaders, too.
On the plus side of the ledger, the Liberty has a lot of standard safety equipment, including front side airbags, stability- and rollover-control systems, and anti-lock brakes. It excels in traditional truck roles. It is excellent off-road and can tow up to 5000 pounds when properly equipped, which is at the top of the cute-ute class.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Jeep Liberty.
What’s New for 2008
The Liberty was completely redesigned for the 2008 model year. The exterior is more rugged and masculine than the original, and a new suspension—independent up front and a five-link rear—underpins the vehicle. The Liberty now features more accurate and responsive rack-and-pinion steering. A whole array of new equipment has become available, including the Sky Slider full-length canvas roof.
