One look at the all-new Jeep Liberty, and it's clear where Jeep designers turned for inspiration -- the longer, wider, and more macho Dodge Nitro. If you ask the Jeep people, they'll tell you this second-generation Liberty was designed from the outset to share parts and pieces with the Dodge. That makes sense given they're both made out of the Toledo, Ohio, plant. But whether they were both supposed to have similar features is another story. Current statistics have almost 60 percent of current Liberty buyers being female. No doubt a nice problem to have, but in order to stay true to the Jeep loyalists, it has to score well with men (at least) in equal amounts. Hence the more squared jaw, the absence of a soft and puffy pillow hood and fender, and the return of more classic wheelflares.
But the improved looks are only part of the story. The new chassis includes a wider track and longer wheelbase, both contributing to more on-road stability, a key aspect that Jeep engineers of the past usually weren't too interested in. But times have changed.
No doubt a better chassis and a more aggressive look for the new Liberty is just the kind of improvement we were looking for, but the consensus around Motor Trend consult table was that there's still plenty of work to be done. On the test track and on our high- and low-elevation test routes, we found the Liberty engine (just one offered -- a carryover 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 rated at 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque) needing more attitude and pep in the form of a more powerful engine and more functional transmission, meaning one that gives you access to manually shifting into and out of every available gear. A measly 210 horsepower from this V-6 isn't enough when many other V-6s are getting at least 250 horsepower. During our drive loops, many comments and observations centered on the vastly improved road-handling dynamics and controlled steering feel. This is where the wider track, longer wheelbase, and wider tires (ours came equipped with 235/60R18s) really showed their stuff. Still, some made comments about how heavy it felt through cornering, which shouldn't surprise anyone given its 4500-pound weight -- and that's without anyone driving or passengering.
Inside, the dash layout and material choices are another potential problem for Jeep in our competition. We understand the Jeep brand is about practicality and function at its core, but this Jeep IP runs the risk of being labeled unimaginative and a victim of too much cost cutting. This might be good for pricing, but it's bad for image, especially with the Xterra on this exact competitive market. With all that said, there's a good value story here. Jeep is pricing the new Liberty between $21,000 and $26,000 dollars for base Sport and Limited models. And there's plenty of new features available like hill hold, hill ascent control, trailer-sway control, traction control, ESP, a clamshell opening rear hatch, a 20-gig hard drive, MyGIG Nav system, and much more. Among our favorite Liberty options is the exclusive Sky Slider fully opening roof option. The push-button skylight opens forward and back, depending on which passengers want the sunlight and provides surprising little wind noise, open or closed. This one feature was a huge hit with our testers, especially when we drove acting like it was our first limo ride, bodies through the roof.
There's plenty to like about the new and improved Liberty, but will it be enough to stretch its nose ahead of some of the others in this year's competition? We'll see.
VIDEO: 2008 JEEP LIBERTY FROM THE SUOTY
PHOTOS: EXCLUSIVE 2008 JEEP LIBERTY PHOTO GALLERY