I wanted to like the Jeep Liberty, I really did. I wanted to tell you it's a brilliant use of twenty five thousand of your hard earned dollars. Hell, I would love to say I want one, but I can't. The Liberty is fun and attractive as SUVs go, but it's flaws are glaring. These faults might be acceptable for seven or eight grand less, but at this price point I have to take issue.
Looks: There have been some great improvements made to the styling of the Jeep Liberty since its last iteration. While stuck in traffic test driving in New York, I was behind an older Liberty and made several notes that the newer Libery looks far more menacing, more intimidating, less Soccer-Mom and more Off-Roader. The whole vichicle is more boxy, more Land Rover looking. The side view mirrors are my favorite update; they're larger, easier to use and just cooler looking.
Performance: It's a Jeep. It's designed to go up and down mountains. Gas milage is listed at 22mpg highway, 16 city. That's nice. I believe in unicorns too.
The four wheel drive works well, you can feel the extra grip it's here the Jeep shines. I could imagine a lot of camping trips beging traveled to and from in this thing. Be careful how hard you turn though, I locked the wheels up in a sharp 3-point turn twice.
The ride is very comfortable even on extended drives, but as with most SUVs this size, it feels like it may flip if you dare oversteer, and in a low-speed traffic jam the transmission feels completely out of its element.
Features: For a Jeep, it's well equipped. The radio has a lot of features, including an AUX port for music player input and satellite radio, but I found the AM/FM signal receiver was rather weak. The 2x4 to 4x4 control is a switch, not a shifter, which looks cool but I'd prefer a stick. Everything you need is in easy reach, although it can be a bit of a stretch to the heat/fan dials if you're around 5 feet tall. The console is huge and there's two oversize cup holders, great for those big sports bottles, and extra storage areas for change or other items you may want handy. There's cruise control, which is very similar to the system in the Wrangler I tested last winter; it works. There is a back windshield wiper, but considering how the back window clatters going over speed bumps, I'm surprised it lasted the whole drive.
Practicality: The interior is huge. You could easily fit 5 adults and all their stuff for a weekend away. There's a ton of headroom for you taller folks, and the heater can keep them all comfy if you're headed up a frozen mountain. The visibility is great, and it's just high enough that you feel safe and superior to the little bugs on the road around you, but you don't feel like you're in a Hummer.
Pros: It looks great and rides well, it's got tons of room and could be the perfect transportation for a Soccer Dad. The engine has a nice throaty growl to it, and it handles bad roads fairly well.
Cons: The Jeep Liberty is having an identity crisis. It doesn't know if it wants to be on a cobblestone driveway in the Hamptons, or up to its fenders in mud, and that's the problem. It's neither a prefect off-roader or a luxury SUV. Stuck somewhere in all respects between the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, it fails to find its own identity.
Overall: Even after days of considering all its flaws, I still want to like the Jeep Liberty. But if you're looking for a real Jeep, the Wrangler's cheaper and much better. If you're looking for a luxury SUV in this price range, consider a used Land Rover. However Soccer Dads, if fishing trips, camping, and road trips with a large family are your idea of a blissful weekend, a Jeep Liberty would be happy to get you there.
As tested:
3.7L SOHC V6 engine
210 hp
235 lb-ft of torque.
Towing capacity: Class I 2000lbs, Class II 3500lbs, Class III 5000lbs.
Full Specs at
Jeep.com
