2008 Jeep Liberty Review - First Drive

A new breed of Jeep brand vehicles is coming down the pike, as evidenced by the introduction of the lackluster Patriot and even less jeeplike Compass. With those vehicles' ad campaigns and marketing drives clearly opposite of what the Jeep brand stands for, it's refreshing to greet the completely redesigned Liberty and realize that all is not lost. This Jeep can still wear the name and do a real trail.

When the Liberty was introduced in 2002, the cartoonlike styling caught many off guard. Gone was the famed XJ Cherokee heritage and renowned off-road capability, and instead an IFS-equipped bubble car emerged looking for the elusive female market. While not a bad rig for IFS, it would never replace the XJ. Even with the fantastic addition of the diesel engine option we tested, the Liberty just hummed along without any great reviews as it was an OK Jeep for a multitude of uses.

Enter the new-generation Liberty, which is lower, wider, longer, and heavier than its predecessor and looks like a baby Commander from the front face to the obnoxiously jutting lower-chin styling in an attempt to reach the X-box generation. Luckily, Jeep engineers saved the day by putting enough 4x4 capability in it to warrant the Trail Rated badge, although it could seriously use a couple inches of lift, a real locker, and a 4:1 transfer-case package. Inside, the comfort level increases, while ergonomics also gain a few points over the old style. The newest addition is the full sardine-can sunroof which auto retracts down the whole length of the Liberty. This one-of-a-kind option makes it so much more Jeeplike we were tempted to remove the doors. Thankfully a six-speed stick is available instead of just an automatic!

Since the entire vehicle is near-new and the thrust towards female buyers seems to be working, we think the baby Commander, er, Liberty will enjoy huge success, from the more classic styling (no, those still aren't round headlights) to the refined IFS and new five-link rear. Even though the spare tire is now located underneath, inside and out the package will be more palatable to a wider audience, and the true mechanical underpinnings will help thrust this Jeep up and over any obstacle it can handle.

The new Jeep Liberty features...        read full caption The new Jeep Liberty features a full-time Selectrac II transfer case or the Command Trac part-time unit. We still wish they offered a Rubiconlike package with real lockers, good tires, a lift, and a 4:1 low range. Instead you get hill ascent control, hill descent control, and more electronic nannies than you really want.

The 3.7L engine is no Hemi,...        read full caption The 3.7L engine is no Hemi, but is suited to this vehicle. It's a 225 cid, which was a great V-6 for Jeeps in the '60s. Because of the new 2008 EPA estimates, which alter the way vehicles are tested, the mileage figures are 16 city and 22 highway, compared to 18/23 using the old methodology.

Sky-Slider is the name for...        read full caption Sky-Slider is the name for the unique roll-back top available as an option. While we cooked the engineers on a hot Moab trail day by leaving it open, it still enhances the open-air Jeep experience-unlike other vehicles.

The interior is all new and... 

   

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The interior is all new and quite nice, with most of the controls where they belong. Unfortunately some ding-dong upstairs demanded that all DaimlerChrysler vehicles would have the worst stalk configuration ever instead of the best available system which they already have. Yes, the cruise and such are now on a Toyota-esque stalk instead of integrated on the steering wheel. Thankfully Daimler is now gone, and the company is simply Chrysler. Maybe that will help.