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Jeep Liberty Limited
Review: There are two main reasons people buy Jeeps. One is that
they really need the four-wheel-drive off-road capability of a vehicle
with spiritual roots in World War II. They drive deep in the woods, up
the rock face of mountains and down snowy hills, places only a Jeep can
take them.
But there's another
reason people buy a Jeep, and it's probably more important: They want
something really fun to drive. Now, normally when people mention a
fun-to-drive car, they're talking about something sporty and exciting,
the kind of car you fling around corners. But a Jeep, more than other
SUVs, is still capable of generating plenty of grins despite the fact
that it corners like a steel platypus.
No, Jeeps make you
smile for a different reason. They elicit thoughts of sunshine and sand
as you drive down the coast with the roof rolled away, the radio cranked
up, and a cabin completely devoid of any luxuries. You know, like doors.
It's the classic
Wrangler that most people associate with Jeep's fun side, but a lot of
buyers want the spirit of a Wrangler in something more sensible. And
that's why all the other Jeeps exist.
You can feel a hint of
the Wrangler's playful personality in these other pseudo-Jeeps, like the
Commander, Compass, Patriot and Grand
Cherokee, but never
have I felt such closeness to the Wrangler's mission as this past week
behind the wheel of the latest Jeep Liberty.
Unlike the Wrangler,
the Liberty is actually comfortable to drive. It has a quiet cabin, four
big doors, a roomy back seat and impressive cargo area. Its suspension
is still bouncy and rough, as you'd expect in any small off-road
vehicle, but it has enough sophistication to smooth everything out. You
don't feel deprived behind the wheel.
Best of all, you can
press a button to transform the Liberty from suburban grocery-getter to
beachside dream car.
The Liberty is
available with a huge hole in the roof, covered in thick fabric, that
effectively turns it into a convertible. That button makes the fabric
top motor away, revealing a gaping sunroof that extends all the way back
to the cargo area.
Slide the roof back,
roll down the windows, and suddenly you've created the perfect vehicle
for enjoying a sunny day. What impresses me the most about this fabric
roof, called the Sky Slider, isn't how it works, as it's actually an
amazingly simple design.
The surprising part is
just how silent the Liberty is when the roof is closed. Seal up the
cabin, drive 70 mph, and you'd have no idea that there's anything
unusual about the top of your Jeep. It's not like a convertible where
there's wind noise when the top is up that makes you wish you'd bought a
hardtop come wintertime. It's just perfectly and wonderfully quiet.
The Liberty only gets
minor changes for 2010, most of which have to do with upscale features
on the Limited model. All Liberties get interactive Decel Fuel Shut Off
(iDFSO), which cuts off the fuel supply when you're slowing down, thus
improving your fuel economy. A 3.7-liter V6 is standard. It makes 210
horsepower, which is barely enough for a vehicle this heavy.
On the plus side, the
Liberty is a handsome vehicle. The latest generation doesn't have the
matte plastic body cladding that plagued the earliest models, so it
looks classier. It also has that unmistakable Jeep shape, never
pretending to be something it's not.
What was tested?
The 2010 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4 with a base price of $28,735. Options
on the test car: The paint option for $225, customer preferred package
for $545, skid plate group for $225, Selec-Trac II for $445, Sky Slider
roof for $1,200 and the Media Center for $1,255. Total MSRP price as
tested including the $745 destination charge: $33,375.
Why avoid it? It
feels underpowered for a heavy off-road vehicle with its V6 engine.
Why buy it? It
has real off-road capability, along with the look and feel of a
classic Jeep. It's also more comfortable than a lot of small 4x4s.
By Derek Price ©
AutoWire.Net - San Francisco
The Bottom Line:
With the 2010 Jeep Liberty Limited there's no mistaking the square shape
and upright grille of this Jeep. It has a lot of the Wrangler's
personality, including real off-road capability and an optional cloth
top that folds all the way back. Inside, the Liberty has decent
front-seat legroom, a good size back seat and surprisingly large cargo
area for its compact SUV class. It's a Jeep with the fun of a Wrangler,
without all the drawbacks.
Bottom Line
Review provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
“Tony the Car Guy”
is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay
Area. If you have a question or comment for Tony send it to
TonyLeo@pacbell.net or visit AutoWire.Net at
www.autowire.net
And remember: “ You Are
what you Drive ”
Jeep Home Page
Column Name: The
Liberty has Wrangler's fun spirit
Topic: The 2010 Jeep
Liberty Limited 4x4
Word Count: 881
Photo Caption: The 2010
Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4
Photo Credits: Jeep
Liberty Internet Media
Series #: 2010 - 25
Download
the Microsoft Word version here:
2010 Jeep Liberty
Download the Original Image File here:
2010 Jeep liberty
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