Jeep Liberty Sport

2011 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 Review - VIDEO ENHANCED

By its specification the Jeep Liberty should be called a crossover. After all, it's built with rigid, car-like unibody construction, with independent front suspension. A solid rear axle is the only (alleged) concession to SUV status, but there's more. Your basic crossover is front- or automatic all-wheel drive, and not meant for off-pavement use more serious than an improved fire road that's really traversable by any car with adequate clearance and traction.

The Jeep Liberty is a rear-wheel drive machine in 4x2 trim, with off-road dual-range four-wheel drive for the 4x4 models. Add eight inches of clearance, skid plates under the appropriate bits, and, well, the Liberty is a Jeep. Not a crossover. It can go places that most mere crossovers can't, or shouldn't, and has all of the comforts and conveniences expected in a contemporary mid-size crossover -- plus Jeep offroad abilities.

Introduced for 2002, with a slightly larger second generation debuting in 2008, the Liberty gets mostly minor tim differences this year. No surprise there, and typical for mid product-cycle years. But in honor of Jeep's 70th anniversary, there are 70th Anniversary models of both the Sport and upscale Limited trim levels, offered in both 4x2 and 4x4 form. The Jet package, introduced for this year, is also offered for those models. The mid-level Renegade carries over from last year, in 4x4 form only.

All have the same powertrain, a 3.7-liter V6 with 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque matched to a four-speed automatic transmission with electronic control and tow/haul mode. With the towing package, a Liberty can tow 5,000 pounds - more than its own weight, and more than any crossover that comes to mind. There are two four-wheel drive systems, both dual-range: Command-Trac II®, a part-time system with 2WD as the normal mode and 4WD lock and 4WD low for loose surfaces and low speeds and Selec-Trac II®, a full-time active system with 2WD, 4WD auto, and 4WD low that's suited to both pavement and off-road use.

The Liberty Sport 4x4 70th Anniversary Edition that I've spent the last week with demonstrates the difference between a mere crossover and a Jeep. As equipped - with leather, a good AM/FM/Sirius/hard disc/CD/auxiliary & iPod-compatible audio system, integrated Garmin navigation system, and more, it's directly competitive with any similarly-sized and -priced crossover. Until the road ends, or the mud and snow get deep, or you need to tow something larger than the 1000 to 1500 pounds that is the limit of most small crossovers. Then it's all Jeep.

2002 Jeep Liberty Sport - Plaza Hyundai

The following options come equipped on this vehicle: Power Steering Tires - Rear All-Season Passenger Air Bag Auxiliary Pwr Outlet Rear Floor Mats Cloth Seats Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes Tires - Front All-Season Driver Air Bag AM/FM Stereo Front Floor Mats Bucket Seats Intermittent Wipers Steel Wheels Four Wheel Drive Cassette Rear Defrost 2nd Row Bench Seat Pass-Through Rear Seat The following options come equipped on this vehicle: AM/FM radio w/cassette/cd-changer control w/6-speakers Tachometer Full length floor console Cloth high-back front reclining bucket seats Aux 12-volt pwr outlet Front/rear floor mats Floor carpeting Head restraints outboard positions Lighter & removable ashtray Rear window defogger Driver & passenger assist handle 65/35 split fold down rear seat Cargo tie down loops & grocery bag hooks The following options come equipped on this vehicle: Pwr steering cooler (5) 16" x 7.0" styled steel wheels 5200# GVWR Dana M35/194MM solid rear axle w/trailing arm suspension Dana 30/186MM front axle 525-CCA maintenance free battery 18.5 gallon fuel tank w/tethered cap Pwr front disc/rear drum brakes P215/75R16 all-season SBR BSW tires Front/rear low pressure gas shock absorbers Independent front suspension w/coil springs 136-amp alternator 3.73 axle ratio Pwr rack & pinion steering HD 5 speed manual transmission Restricted use spare tire w/outside carrier Front/rear stabilizer bar Front suspension skid plate Command-Trac part-time shift-on-the-fly 4WD All pricing and details are believed to be accurate, but we do not warrant or guarantee such accuracy. The prices shown above, may vary from region to region, as will incentives, and are subject to change. Vehicle information is based off standard equipment and may vary from vehicle to vehicle. Call or email for complete vehicle specific information.

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