2006 Jeep Liberty

Compact SUVs comprise one of the hottest segments in the automotive market, crowded with a dizzying selection of models that strive to provide a combination of fairly spacious accommodations, agile handling, off-road capability and decent fuel economy. In trying to be all things to all people, some models inevitably favor some criteria over another, such as reduced off-road potential in exchange for a plusher feel.

Style

Jeep's Liberty, faithful to the brand name, doesn't take that direction, but clearly wants consumers to know it's still a dual-purpose rig for duty both on and off the pavement. Given that fact, the street manners of the Liberty might feel a bit busy to some drivers (yet less so than a Wrangler. Think of the Liberty as the more civilized Jeep).


In the dirt, though, this trait disappears entirely with the 4W Hi lever engaged. Just give it a quick pull (which looks like an emergency brake handle, instead of some obscure button on the dash), and you're ready to rock. Don't plan on doing any hardcore rock crawling, but the Liberty's short wheelbase and high clearance helps it take on all sorts of mud, snow and ruts that many "cute Utes" would shy away from. It bounds over bumps without a hiccup, and seems to prefer this sort of punishment. And it carves through the dirt with good control and stability. Part of that comes from a new antiskid system on the 2006 model.


As noted at the outset, one of main appeals of small SUVs is efficient fuel economy. Despite this trend, the Liberty's four-cylinder gas engine is no longer available. The two choices for 2006 are the 210-hp V-6 or diesel four-cylinder. Before digging into the details of the diesel (which is far more popular than Jeep product planners expected), let's take a look at the Liberty's features in general for '06.

Comfort

An automatic is the only transmission available on the diesel, but a manual can be ordered on the gasoline engine. All Liberty models offer rear-wheel drive or a choice of two 4WD systems, both with low-range gearing. Jeep's Command-Trac 4WD should not be left engaged on dry pavement. The Selec-Trac 4WD, though, can be left engaged on dry pavement.