Spy Shots: The 2008 Jeep Liberty

For 2008, the Liberty is moving to a “baby Commander” look, gaining some length and mainly getting the squared-off, Land Rover/Hummer look. The headlights and turn signals are, as with the Commander, separate units behind a rectangular plastic housing. The glass has been trimmed, and it appears that the roof has been lowered; seats seem to be the more comfortable yet thinner new design from the Compass; and the fancy new stereos/nav systems should be available. The cargo area has been expanded. It appears that only the 3.7 liter V6 will be available, and that the four speed automatic will carry forward, so the four cylinder and stick-shift may have been dropped; a diesel is expected to return for late availability.

Overall, the Liberty will incorporate a number of changes and improvements engineered into the Dodge Nitro, while increasing its off-road worthiness. Expected features including an Electronic Stability Program with Electronic Roll Mitigation, hill descent control, the Load ’n Go rear cargo slide out system (also seen in the Nitro), rear DVD video, and remote start installed at the factory
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Mark - 10/17/2006 11:49:54 AM

+1 Boost

Still going to be a POS.

And look, Jeep will soon have all of their vehicles looking alike. Now where have we seen this before??......

smshnick - 10/17/2006 12:38:58 PM

+1 Boost

I thought this was autospies.. not garbagespies.

danman - 10/17/2006 12:39:40 PM

+1 Boost

I don't see where is Jeep going. There are no "classic" round headlamps, which should be their trademark.

Whenever a company shows a new car, they should take care that the new design is better than the old one. There should be some progress. As for today, the changes on the Liberty show no progress. You could restart building the "old" Liberty and show it as a "new" model for 2009, and you'll see some progress.

My comment is as confusing as Jeeps designs. Sorry

By the way, Dodge and Jeep should take care with their plastics... they are really cheap. Even a bottle of pepsi got better plastics

S4cabriofox - 10/17/2006 3:43:50 PM

0 Boost

They don't need round headlamps- that's reserved for the Wrangler.

This looks a lot more like the Cherokee, which I think is a good thing. The Cherokee was every bit as iconic for their lineup as the GC. I really do hope they do well with this car.

Because I just don't see any reason for anyone to buy a Jeep any more.

lewissalem - 10/17/2006 2:39:24 PM

+1 Boost

I agree with Jeep on this direction. I feel that the current iteration has kept away a lot of male buyers. Designers are still moving twords more boxy upright and creased designs.

I do agree with danman that the quality of plastics are poor in some Jeep products. Sadly, I think that this is also a cost cutting trend in the industry.

johannas - 10/17/2006 3:51:34 PM

+1 Boost

Jeep should have left the grand cherokee as thier only attempt at refinement. People shouldn't look to these vehicles expecting them to be comfortable, quiet, or smooth... or have curves for that matter. Their roots are as a utilitarian machine. They are made cheaply, but last for many years; notice all the old cherokees and wranglers we see on the road. I've owned 2 cherokees in my time, wish they still made them. They should have stuck with what kept them around for so long, rugged boxes that come so bare-bones that a/c is still optional.

vitalichaconne - 10/17/2006 5:36:05 PM

+1 Boost

thats not a good direction to go in....especially that front end

00JT - 10/18/2006 2:18:37 AM

+1 Boost

Is it just me or does anyone else think the current Liberty looks like the short bus?

SteveL - 10/20/2006 3:23:13 PM

+1 Boost

Wholy Cow!
Who designed that but ugly thing? I see Jeep slipping off into the sunset and its a sad story.