Exterior
For
2008 the Liberty’s exterior comes totally redesigned from the ground up. For starters it’s bigger—to the tune of a 2-inch longer wheelbase. The longer wheelbase is mostly designed to enlarge cabin space and enhance passenger comfort, but can also be handy on the trail.
The
body has also
been completely
redesigned.
Far from the
curves of it’s predecessor, the 08 Liberty features sharp angles that create a boxy look…sort of a miniature Commander feel.
Drive
Train
One
thing that hasn’t changed for the new Liberty is the powerplant. Last year’s 3.7-liter V6 remains under the hood providing 210 horsepower. It’s not neck-snapping acceleration, but in today’s fuel-starved economy, auto makers and consumers alike have compromised power for additional fuel economy. One option I wish Jeep had continued to offer is the 2.8-liter I-4 diesel. This little motor produced a modest 160-hp, but provided 25 percent greater fuel economy and a class leading 295 lbs.-ft torque rating.
The
Liberty comes
in both 2WD
(Boooo!) and
4WD models.
The 4WD package
offers one of
two “Trail Rated” 4WD systems. You can choose from either Command-Trac II or Selec-Trac II. The differences between the two are essentially that Command-Trac is a part time four-wheel-drive system, while Select-Trac is a full-time system.
Engine
power is transferred
via one of two
available transmissions.
The standard
setup is a 6-speed
manual with
overdrive. This
is definitely
the better choice
for offroading
as it features
a respectable
4.46 ratio in
first gear.
For convenience
in daily driving,
the Liberty
also features
an optional
4-speed automatic
with overdrive.
One item of
note, the auto
trans option
will increase
towing capacity
from 2,000 to
5,000 pounds
when used with
the trailer
tow package.
Interior
The
interior
is typical
of modern Jeep
SUVs. You won’t find any mahogany wood trim or gold plated shifter bezels. Instead, you’ll get a utilitarian-style setup that’s durable, easy to clean and will hold up to abuse. I’ve heard complaints from various “industry experts” but if you drive any Jeep expecting a Lexus interior, for one, you’ll be disappointed. For two, you probably shouldn’t be driving a Jeep.
One
thing I really
like about the
new Liberty
is the available
MyGIG system.
It’s
a nice luxury
feature that combines
a traditional
stereo with a
satellite navigation
unit, a 20GB hard
drive to store
your tunes and
built-in Sirius
Satellite Radio
capabilities.
Safety
The
2008 Liberty
features a
myriad of enhancements
to keep its
occupants safe
and secure.
Anti-lock disc
brakes are
standard front
and rear as
are side curtain
air bags. Four
wheel drive
models come
standard with
Hill Descent
Control that
keeps driving
speeds safe
while descending
steep terrain.
Other standard
safety features
include traction
control, stability
control and
electronic
roll mitigation. |
