A cold, heavy rain was falling in New York when it was time for the Jeep press conference. However, seeing as how the 2008 Jeep Liberty is "trail-rated," this was no cause to move the festivities inside. Especially, since the only projected casualties were a couple hundred wet, whiny journalists.
In between bouts of whining, we were lucky enough to witness a volcanic eruption, likely the first ever recorded in midtown Manhattan. Needless to say, an '08 Liberty Limited was spewed forth during the explosion.
As we noted in our full article, the Sky Slider roof option is the most interesting feature on the redesigned Liberty. And Jeep went ahead with its demo of this scrolling canvas top -- a wacky Jeep staffer popped up with an umbrella once the roof was fully open.
One bit of information we learned after the press conference (once everyone had moved to the warm, dry Camp Jeep tent) is the difference between the new Liberty's SelecTrac II and the old model's SelecTrac I: SelecTrac II is an electronic 4WD system, which is why it now has the capability to anticipate and react to wheelspin before it occurs.
We also learned that 60 percent of original Jeep Liberty buyers were women. We're thinking the new model might skew male, what with its harsh jawline. Then again, the '08 Liberty's roomier interior will undoubtedly appeal to current Liberty owners with kids. --Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor
redliner says:
12:58 PM, 04/ 4/07
IMO that is the best looking Jeep to date and is way better than the too-retro-Liberty or the bland Grand Cherokee. It looks more upscale too (like a small Commander), with it's chrome side trim and huge sun roof.
Unfortunatly the dash still looks cheap, but at least it looks clean and simple.
orangutan says:
01:07 PM, 04/ 4/07
Why not update the vehicle properly, with 21st century engines and transmissions? The dull, lazy 3.7 and archaic four-speed automatic are simply shameful.
ateixeira says:
02:06 PM, 04/ 4/07
Looks much better outside, with a strong family resemblance now.
The interior actually looks worse. The unique round door handles are gone, and that center console looks like the Caliber's, which looks cheap even for a $15k vehicle!
Rear cup holders occupy the space where the middle occupant would put their feet, too.
I like the sky roof and the styling, even the two-tone paint.
Still, it seems like this is all flash, little substance.
fordlepka says:
03:25 PM, 04/ 4/07
The old Liberty was getting boring, but you can definitely tel that this a Liberty by looking at the size of the rear window. But hey, it f***in kills the Nitro.
roar02ram says:
10:28 PM, 04/ 4/07
Ateixeira-
Add my two cents to the "all flash, little substance" comment. It's really disappoing, too, given that the styling is dead-on. Then again, Jeep's getting away with worse, powertrain-wise, in the Wrangler Unlimited, so maybe there's hope for this one, too.
On a side note, maybe if Daimler had put some money into Chrysler engines...
oldmanshirt says:
11:20 PM, 04/ 4/07
It's a Commander in the front and a Nitro in the back. Pretty darn creative, I'd say.
Why is the shifter closer to the passenger??
rsholland says:
07:12 AM, 04/ 5/07
I like it—a lot! It looks like the original Cherokee (which the Commander copied too), which is considered a Jeep classic. I do wish that the mechanicals had been upgraded, but as to design/styling, it's about perfect.
chryslerkid21 says:
08:08 AM, 04/ 5/07
dont get me wrong, the design is a major improvement over the 1st gen Liberty, but it looks way too much like the Dodge Nitro to me. I think it needs some more differentiation
hondacura4 says:
08:33 AM, 04/ 5/07
I hope its more refined that my brother girlfriends Liberty. Ive driven it several times and the 3.7 makes unpleasant noises as does the rest of the drivetrain. It feels like something is binding up as you get a lot of unwanted noice//vibration from the drivetrain. I know its a "truck" but give it some refinement. She states that every Liberty she test drove did the same thing.
estreka says:
11:42 AM, 04/ 9/07
Not impressed. I don't think guys are gonna be very interested in this. Already, my ex told me she thinks it's cute.
racerboi25 says:
05:49 AM, 04/10/07
looks WAY better...the front has it's own individuality to it, though the rear looks much too like the Nitro...though i like the rear on that thing
interior could be much better...i agree wif ateixeira...rear-cup holders in wrong position, thats where a person's leg's should go
drivetrains should have had complete overhaul's, as it's this, not looks, which needed the most improving. new 6-speed auto b nice, plus much more refined engines...yea MB should have invested more into engines...why didnt they share drivetrains & transmissions?
still nice SUV...will attract nore guys, though most will prob go Nitro path...still, flash but little substance
gilkent says:
01:26 AM, 04/13/07
There had been lots of upgrades and modifications done with the 2008 Jeep Liberty. It had been equipped with some of the finest auto parts like jeep roof rack, accessories that makes it a lot more appealing and of course some of the best safety measures to ensure safety . This vehicle is great to those who had an active outdoor lifestyle. This is just another car to watch out in the market. This would surely catch the attention of buyers especially those who love an off road ride.
gmguy111 says:
11:46 AM, 04/17/07
Yeah i saw a silver one doing highway testing on M-59 on my way home from collegetoday (I live not too far from chrysler headquarters) and while the Limited label was no suprise to me the presence of a CRD label on the rear was and it makes me think that chrysler has a CRD model of this car in the works