Unless you’re a member of the Jeep Club or a true 4×4 enthusiast, chances are you’ll drive just like every other Liberty owner: your only off-road adventures will be when you’re driving on the side of the road.
The only reasons why people buy this vehicle are the four-letter signature on the hood and the relative prestige of the brand. They feel invincible when tackling snow banks and potholes — but then what? Are you personally going to venture into dark, unknown trails just to convince yourself that you really needed a Jeep?
Completely redesigned for 2008, the Jeep Liberty is hard to figure out; I still don’t know if I prefer the new styling to the old one. One thing’s for sure: the change is radical. The new Liberty looks more akin to the infamous Commander; in fact, both seem to have been designed by the guy who invented the butter dish. Yet, despite stark, ungraceful lines, this Jeep has a certain presence, especially the tastefully chrome-enhanced Limited model.
Hope you like plastics!
Once inside, one quickly notices the abundance of plastics. Build quality as well as fit and finish fail to meet expectations, which is rather unacceptable considering the price of my tester. The instruments and controls are easy to use; designers did a great job of making the environment simple and extremely ergonomic. On the other hand, soundproofing could be improved.
As for access, the rear wheels largely impede on the doors, which poses a big problem. On the plus side, there are more storage compartments than in the previous model. Front-seat comfort lives up to the Jeep tradition, while the hard bench seat in the back is definitely not recommended for two-way trips from Montreal to Toronto on backcountry roads.
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