2008 Jeep Liberty

Well, it’s sad to say, but these words ring true…

When the Jeep Liberty debuted in 2002, it was the alternative off-roader.

Its doe-eyed headlights and curvy cute looks were a hit with everyone but Jeep enthusiasts, who found their Rubicon sense of machismo unhinged; the ultimate man’s brand was being shopped by women.

With the latest Liberty, Jeep seems to be showing us that the way forward looks like the Commander. Is that a good thing, or simply a way to make you think “Commander” when time comes to replace your Libby?

Well, much like the Nissan Pathfinder - bigger, squarer, the 2008 Jeep Liberty takes the round edges and creases them up.

One really nice feature is the massive fabric roof - not sure how it’ll work in the colder climates, but I’m sure they’ve done the testing…so it may or may not work…

The folks over at DetNews.com have a review of this new Jeep, so scoot over and read the full report.

2008 Jeep® Liberty – All-new From the Ground Up

* All-new 2008 Jeep® Liberty remains true to its legendary 4×4 heritage
* Improved on-road ride and handling with new independent front and new five-link rear suspension systems
* All-new Jeep classic exterior styling, functional interior space and upgraded amenities designed to broaden its appeal to consumers
* Industry-exclusive Sky Slider™ full-open canvas roof

The Jeep® Liberty has remained a leader in the mid-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) market since its introduction in 2002. The popular mid-size SUV gives off-road enthusiasts and owners their own sense of personal freedom and capability that only defines the Jeep brand.

All-new from the ground up for 2008, the Jeep Liberty remains true to its legendary 4×4 heritage by offering two Jeep Trail Rated® four-wheel-drive systems – Command-Trac® and the all-new Selec-Trac® II. On-road ride and handling have been improved and refined with the new independent front suspension, new five-link rear suspension and rack-and-pinion steering.

The Liberty’s exterior has been redesigned, and takes on a more rugged, classic Jeep look that is sure to captivate the attention of current Jeep Liberty owners and broaden its consumer appeal. Inside, cargo and storage space increases and seat comfort improves. Making its world debut is the new Sky Slider™ full-open canvas roof, an industry-exclusive; giving the Jeep Liberty that “Only in a Jeep” open-air experience. Remote start, rain-sensing wipers, memory seats and mirrors, and express up/down windows are added to the vehicle’s ever-growing list of available features and options. There are two models – Jeep Liberty Sport and Jeep Liberty Limited.

The all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty stands out from the competition by offering customers classic Jeep design, two four-wheel-drive systems, refined on-road ride and handling, cargo and utility, as well as features that are not typically found on vehicles in the mid-size SUV segment.

The all-new Jeep Liberty is designed to appeal to customers who are looking for Jeep 4×4 capability as well as comfort and convenience. It is targeted to young couples and new families, as well as professional, young single men and women between 30 and 40 years of age, balanced male to female. Jeep Liberty owners will balance day-to-day responsibilities with their passion for adventure as well as the outdoors. They are athletic, and pursue activities that combine their various interests with their active lifestyle. The Jeep Liberty will be available at Jeep dealerships starting in the third quarter of 2007.

Engineering
The all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty offers a balance of off-road capability and on-road refinement.

* All-new independent front suspension, all-new five-link rear suspension, and a power rack-and-pinion steering system contribute to the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty’s blend of on-road ride comfort and nimble, confidence-inspiring handling
* Two four-wheel-drive systems – all-new Selec-Trac II, full-time four-wheel-drive system and Command-Trac, a part-time four-wheel-drive system – both are Jeep Trail Rated
* The 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine provides the 2008 Jeep Liberty with competitive peak power and torque while providing smooth, quiet operation and proven durability. It produces 210 hp (157 kW) @ 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Fuel economy has been improved and now achieves an estimated *16 city (18 mpg using 2007 EPA standards), and *22 mpg on the highway (23 mpg based on 2007 EPA standards).
* Two transmissions are offered on the Jeep Liberty in the United States: a six-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission
* The 2008 Jeep Liberty was designed and engineered under the Chrysler Development System (CDS), the comprehensive, coordinated and disciplined product creation process that improves quality and speed-to-market while reducing costs and encouraging practical innovation in new products

Design
In its first redesign since its introduction, the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty embraces its roots by taking on a more rugged, classic Jeep design that is guaranteed to strengthen its draw to current owners and broaden its appeal to a new audience.

* Jeep classic exterior styling and functional interior space are designed to broaden its consumer appeal
* Industry-exclusive Sky Slider full-open canvas roof brings “Only in a Jeep” open-air experience to mid-size SUV market
* Cargo capacity increases and front and rear passengers will notice the improved seat comfort along with added space

Safety and Security
The 2008 Jeep Liberty has a full range of active and passive safety systems. Among the vehicle’s standard equipment are Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Roll Mitigation, All-speed Traction Control, Brake Assist, advanced anti-lock brakes, rain sensing wipers, Tire Pressure Monitoring, and side-curtain air bags.

Technology
The 2008 Jeep Liberty offers the MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System™ a completely integrated audio, navigation, entertainment and hands-free communication system. MyGIG allows customers to use touch screen or voice commands to control features, and includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive where music and photos can be stored. The system also includes a voice-memo recorder feature. MyGIG supports real-time traffic information, available through SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and can provide an alternate drive route based on traffic conditions. All of these functions can be controlled through voice commands and by utilizing a touch screen.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio provides U.S. customers with 130 channels, including 100 percent commercial-free music, sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather. And the UConnect® hands-free communication system uses Bluetooth® technology to provide wireless communication between the customer’s compatible mobile phone and the vehicle’s on-board receiver.

Manufacturing
The 2008 Jeep Liberty will be built using Chrysler Group’s modern production process, called the Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS). FMS allows multiple products to be produced at one plant in a time-efficient manner that are a higher quality for lower cost. At the core of the new manufacturing process is the heavy use of robots at the Toledo (Ohio) North Assembly Plant.

Amazing what a stock Jeep on street tires is capable of. Granted, this would have been a harrowing plummet had there been loose gravel, sand or shale on the hill.

Still, for all you stockers out there - be amazed:

Even when design and production are weighed separately, Toledo-made Jeep Libertys and Jeep Wranglers still can’t break into a vaunted list of top compact sport-utility vehicles based on initial quality.

Buyers of the two local SUVs complained about wind noise; on the Liberty, brake noise was among problems reported, and for the Wrangler excessive fuel consumption was…

Read the full story here.
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OK, are we shocked by this? I mean really. Jeeps are known for their ability to handle pretty much any terrain dropped under them. They are NOT known for being the best screwed-together rigs on the road.

It’s damn near 2007 and I can walk onto a new-car lot, hop into a Wrangler, and within minutes spot two or three places where the soft-tops weren’t set up properly and day-light is visible.

Upon recently test driving a Liberty diesel, both my wife and I came to the same conclusion: This doesn’t FEEL like a $35,000 (CAN) vehicle.

The plastics on the dash were hard and shiny, the gaps between interior panels we not even - anywhere. The overall layout was fine, but it seemed like lots of “styling” bits were incorpoarted to break up things visually - lines, curves, colors, etc.

I LOVED the multi-tiered parcel shelf in the back of the Liberty, but after taking just over 4 minutes to figure it out and set it up, it was apparent you could not manipulate it with one hand - kinda crappy since my other hand was full of groceries. …and it didn’t feel all that sturdy, being made of yet more shiny, hard plastic. Our cold winters would leave that stuff as brittle as fresh ice on a pond.

Now, you might be thinking I didn’t like the Liberty. That even though I have this Jeep-focused website, that I’m a Libby-basher. You couldn’t be more wrong.

As a THIRD vehicle, I’d own one in a heart-beat. I’ve seen them in action offroad - they are VERY good performers right off the pavement - given decent tires. A small lift and they’re about on par with my old Cherokee with 3″ of lift.

Much more comfortable than the Cherokee of yore and more efficient - but note, it’s a third vehicle here.

And, I was driving a diesel model for my test - so that alone was enough to sell me - almost. I mean, Jeep should really consider renaming it the Jeep Torque or something - that engine transforms the normal Liberty into a real TRUCK - big towing, big power, big noises.

Had the dealer come down in a price a smidge, it’d be sitting in the driveway right now - but the bottom line was, for that kind of scratch, I do expect better quality.

Well, it’s obvious why the official press site fro DC is quiet about this one.

Seems around the same time DC was busy pulling the Jeep Liberty diesel out of North America, federal investigators decided to expand their probe into concerns over faulty steering components…

Federal regulators have expanded a defect investigation of the front suspension on the Jeep Liberty to include all 2002 to 2006 models of the vehicles with the suspension.

Chrysler has changed the design and material used in the Liberty�s suspension since the initial safety recall. NHTSA is looking at that recall to determine if the changes and modifications solved the ball joint problem in the suspension.

Man, the Liberty can get no love these days. Too bad, because it’s actually a decent ride - provided you can find one slightly used at a realistic price…

Great news for Jeep. The Libert diesel is on pace to double the expected sales figures set for it back in 2005. They’re about to run through 10,000 units since the launch in early 2005. That’s a dramatic difference to the last time Jeep offered a diesel option. Back in the 1980’s, Cherokees equipped with the Renault diesel engine languished on dealer lots and many were sold at cost or below just to get them off the lots.

Today, every Jeep Liberty diesel ships from the factory with B-5 diesel, too. This blended fuel (5% bio-fuel) is the key to an energy-conservative future for us. Since diesels can run on 100% biofuel, the ability exists for us in North America to produce our own fuel supply without dependance on crude oil for diesel powered motors. While not a 100% solution, it’s a very positve step fowrad, and Jeep shoud be commended for supporting it.

If you’ve never driven one of these great rigs, you’re missing out on something unique.

Sure, it’s noisier than a V-6 model, but the amount of low-end torque is eye-opening. Good thing they ship with traction control. Delivering almost the same overall horsepower ratings as the gas models, but with greatly improved real-world fuel economy, it’s no wonder they’ve caught on and become a hit.

Even moderately aggressive tipping-in of the throttle will induce a flashing dashboard light as the traction control works overtime to keep track of spinning rear tires.

Turned off, there’s great fun to be had, not that we’d condone such behavior.

Driven sanely, the Liberty diesel is said to be good for about 800 kms per fill-up. VERY useful range, and given that in our area diesel is cheaper than regular unleaded, worthwhile over the long-run, too.

And if you even think you might ever want to tow anything, this truck is going to be your best friend. Yard-work? Need some soil for the plants, maybe a small tree - hook up the trailer and go - zero drama. In fact, you’ll wonder if there’s anything behind you at all. Only that birch in your rearview mirror pacing you will tell the tale.

Step up and offer to move a friends boat - feel confident. With 4wd and this amount of power, the only limit is the 5,000 lbs tow-rating. THAT is a LOT of boat.

You say you don’t like your neighbor much? No worries, take Friday off, and while he’s at work, wrap a big tow-strap around his house, and yank it off the foundation. Best to look for an empty lot down the road to drop the house off in BEFORE you execute this move.

OK, while it’s not quite THAT powerful, it sure feels like it. It’s like a Liberty on steroids - like the ones fed to the Dodge Cummins models. The Liberty needs a new name when equipped with this motor…

Maybe the Jeep Torque? Nah, too Fast & Furious.

I KNOW! How about Jeep Liberty - Barry Bonds Edition…? This is one Jeep model that’s easily capable of hitting home runs!