Yet again, Jeeps fail in quality reports…
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.
The Hyundai Tucson topped the annual J.D. Power and Associates initial quality list for compact SUVs, with 103 problems per 100 new vehicles.
The Honda CR-V and Nissan Xterra rounded out the top three in the category for 22 compact SUVs, which averaged 134 problems per 100 vehicles, according to a J.D. Power official.
Although the Liberty fared at about average and was ranked ninth in the compact SUV segment, the Wrangler was below average at No. 15.
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…
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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.
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