Don't be fooled: 'Cute' Liberty has a rugged side

BY BARRY SPYKER
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS

OK, I understand the huge popularity of the so called "cute-ute" segment of the sport utility market. But Jeep? Cute?

This is the original get-tough utility vehicle, beginning its journey in 1941 when the U.S. Army contracted with Willys-Overland of Toledo, Ohio, to build rugged vehicles for the war. This is that tough guy who, when it first went civilian in 1945 as the CJ-2A, offered as luxuries things like windshield wipers and a tailgate.

And now Jeeps gone cute on us? Well, not exactly.

Turns out this little Liberty, which landed in dealerships last summer as the replacement to the quarter-century veteran Cherokee, has a tough side, too. In fact, theres a lot of the ol CJ in the Liberty.

By no accident, it bears the Jeep family resemblance with the trademark seven-slot grille and round headlamps. And the name Liberty, marketing folks remind, reflects the World War II Jeeps role -- to help liberate.

More than that, Liberty has been through boot camp. Jeep tested the Libertys torsion and suspension on the same proving grounds the original military vehicles were tested on in Aberdeen, Md., which includes 15,000 miles of gravel roads and the like.

Engineers also tested the Liberty's brakes in the extremes of Death Valley heat, the high altitude of Pikes Peak, humidity of Corpus Christi (South Floridas not the only steam bath in the country), and the frigid weather of Fairbanks, Alaska.

The test car, a Liberty Limited Edition, was powered by a new 3.7-liter V6, which kicks out 210 horses and 5,200 rpm, and 235 foot-pounds of torque and 4,000 rpm. It has a four-wheel-drive low gear, which distinguishes it from the other cuties by giving it what some say are exceptional off-road abilities.

Says Jeep engineering executive Craig Love: "Liberty can take on any trail that any other Jeep can handle."

Ground clearance is over 10 inches (OK, 10.1). And the 3.7-liter engine equipped with the tow package can haul an impressive 5,000 pounds.

Of course, Jeep wants all you commuters and pleasure-drivers to know youll be just as satisfied on I-95 or along the beaches. I found its pep to be plenty adequate. It cruises wonderfully on the highway, quiet and solid, with a feel that is much bigger and more comfy than you might expect.

Credit the ride and handling to a coil spring independent front suspension and -- a first for Jeep -- rack-and-pinion steering for improved handling.

The optional electronic automatic transmission offered smooth and easy shifts, while the manual transmission offers a reverse-lockout feature that prevents accidentally shifting into reverse while downshifting to fourth.

Despite its 10 inches (OK, 10.1) of ground clearance, I found no significant roll, considering the type of vehicle, on corners or off-ramps. But AutoWeek Magazine did manage to overturn the Liberty in what it calls its slalom test, around a series of cones. DaimlerChrysler, maker of Jeep, questions the tests methods and says it hasn't been able to roll it in similar tests -- or even get it up on two wheels.

I felt that, in everyday driving under normal conditions, the Liberty holds the road quite satisfactorily.

While were on the subject of safety, Liberty is built with high-strength beams, rails and pillars that create a safety cage around its occupants. Side curtain air bags are available as an option.

Liberty's spare is mounted on the rear gate, freeing up 69.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down. The rear-mounted spare, though, didn't win points with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which says it's mounted too low and prevents the bumper from doing its job in 5 mph collision tests. That could result in costlier repairs in fender benders.

The cargo gate offers an innovative feature: a patented system in which you pull on the latch and the gate swings open while the window flips up. That enables you to get in with one hand -- dont have to put packages down to open the gate.

A word of caution: When you turn the rear gate key, the window flips up -- nearly popped me on the chin the first time.

Inside, Liberty is roomy -- plenty of headroom and legroom in the front. The rear seat wasn't bad for a small sport utility, but we found it a little tight getting out the small rear doors.

Attractive accents include ivory-colored instrument gauges and brushed chrome trim around the floor-mounted gearshift. Window controls are on the center console, instead of the door, so of course I hit the door locks by accident, oh about 10 times. You'll get used to it.

Cupholders were exceptional, says my wife, the expert who seldom leaves the driveway without a vat-like cup of icewater. The holders even have the cutaway for big cup handles.

You can get into the base Liberty for just over $17,000. The entry Sport model with four-wheel-drive, power windows and locks, goes for $21,890, and the top of the line, the Limited, with four-wheel-drive, upgraded stereo, fog lamps, and leather bucket seats, checks in at $25,625.

So when youre thinking cute, but you want tough, too, the Liberty's worth a look. As Craig Love, the Jeep engineer said -- gotta love this line -- "With Liberty you get th

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