2002 Jeep Liberty Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Replacing the 18-year old Cherokee is a roomier new SUV with a more-sophisticated suspension and available curtain side airbags. Liberty retains unibody construction, but is about three inches longer in wheelbase and seven inches longer overall than Cherokee. It's taller, wider, and about 400 lb heavier, too. The only body is a 4-dr wagon. Its tailgate swings opens to the left and carries the outside-mounted spare tire. Liberty's coil-spring suspension is independent in front and replaces Cherokee's solid-axle, leaf-spring setup. Two models are offered. The Sport has contrasting-color body cladding. The Limited Edition has monochromatic exterior and brushed-metallic interior trim. Sport comes with a 150-hp 4-cyl engine. Optional on Sport and standard on Limited is a new 210-hp 3.7-liter V6. The 4 cyl uses manual transmission, the V6 gets manual or automatic. Liberty offers rear-wheel drive, Jeep's Command-Trac 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement, or Jeep's Selec-Trac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement; 4x4s include low-range gearing. Liberty's 5000-lb towing capacity is tops among compact SUVs. ABS and curtain side airbags are optional. Standard are 16-inch wheels and a 65/35 split folding rear seat. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof are available. Added midyear was the Renegade version with unique appearance features, including a roof light bar, "bolt-on-look" fender arches, and special alloy wheels. Renegade uses the V6 and is available with 2WD or 4WD and with either transmission. Also at midyear, ride height on all models was lowered by about one inch, a change Jeep says is intended to improve stability in turns.

Competition

Ignored in the past, compact SUVs are now some of the hottest-selling vehicles around. Though our Best Buys, the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Mazda Tribute don't offer true off-road ability, they do mix ride comfort, cargo capacity, and versatility with all-weather traction. The V6 Tribute/Escape offers more power, comfort, and space than any in its class.

Another car-based mini-SUV, the Subaru Forester, is our Recommended choice. Like the CR-V it doesn't have a low range for serious off-road use, but it blends excellent on-road manners with SUV styling.

News

Liberty made a strong sales start, attracting nearly 88,500 buyers through the end of 2001. However, first-quarter 2002 results show it running less than 1000 units ahead of the old Cherokee on a year-to-year basis.

Chrysler Group is trying to dig itself out of a financial quagmire, looking to cut costs so as to reduce sticker prices and thus improve sales and profits. Liberty is one target of such efforts, mainly because it's said to cost some $2000 more to build than Chrysler planned. For this reason, Detroit moles expect some fiscal fat to be trimmed soon, perhaps as early as the 2003 models. Let's hope it's done in ways consumers won't notice.

2002 Jeep Liberty Road Test

Pros	Cons

Build quality	Rear-seat comfort

Cargo room	Ride

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
3	3	3.5

Jeep expects 85 percent of Libertys to be V6s with the top-seller the V6/automatic transmission 4WD Sport. Only V6 Libertys have been made available for testing. Acceleration is good off the line, but Liberty can feel labored in highway merging or passing, where it takes a deep stab at the throttle to coax the automatic to downshift two gears. Selec-Trac allows set-and-forget 4WD running, but requires initial driver activation. Most rivals have no-fuss AWD.

Fuel Economy

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
3	3	4.8

Test 4WD Limited Edition averaged 13.4 mpg in city driving, 17.0 in primarily highway work, and 14.5 overall. Liberty uses regular fuel.

Ride Quality

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
4	4	3.7

Liberty is not overly firm on bumps, though pronounced ruts and ripples mean a jiggly but not uncomfortable ride. On uneven surfaces, it suffers some rocking-horse motions and annoying side-to-side swaying. We have not tested a midyear Liberty with the lower ride height, which may have more subdued ride motions.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
4	4	3.7

Not as responsive as Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute. In turns, grip and balance are good, but body lean is substantial. The reduced ride height adopted midyear may reduce body lean, but we haven't tested a "lowered" model. Jeep's first rack-and-pinion steering system is firm and accurate, but transmits too much kickback off-road. Brakes feel strong.

Quietness

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
4	4	3.3

Perhaps best-in-class isolation from unpleasant body resonance. But full-throttle exhaust note and high-speed wind rush are intrusive. Tires sing on coarse surfaces. And one test model's Selec-Trac emitted 4WD gear whine.

Controls

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
5	5	4.8

Large, legible gauges. Low-set audio and climate controls are a little far from the driver, but generously sized, clearly labeled. Door-mounted power-lock buttons easily mistaken for power-window switches, which are inconveniently located on the center console. Interior has numerous padded surfaces, sturdy-feeling materials.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
5	5	5

Fine head, leg room. Seats set unusually high, and could use more lumbar and lateral support. Narrow passenger footwell.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
4	4	3.7

Lots of head clearance. Leg room OK. Footwell shape uneven, but good toe space under front seat. Seat unusually high here, too, and has subpar thigh support. Step-in higher than in Escape, Tribute, Honda CR-V, but not excessive. Door openings are narrow.

Cargo Room

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
7	7	6.7

With rear seat up, bay is wide and tall, but not long. Rear seat sections easily fold in one motion without removing headrests, but don't lay flat. Folding the seatbacks exposes brackets on walls of cargo bay that intrude into load space. Tailgate window pops fully open via remote keyfob or pull of tailgate handle, but that convenience undercut by awkward reach into cargo hold.

Value within Class

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
6	5	5.4

Liberty is capable, solid, competitively priced, and the off-road leader among compact SUVs. But for better or worse, Jeep avoided making it as carlike as most of its rivals. That dictates some compromises in rear-seat comfort and on-road handling.

Total Score

Sport 4WD, V6 auto.	Limited Edition 4WD	Class Average
45	44	44.6

Scores for all Compact Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		27
Average Score		44
High Score		62

2002 Jeep Liberty Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/14/2002

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Sport 4-door wagon, 2WD	$16,790	$15,859	$610

Sport 4-door wagon, 4WD	$18,300	$17,253	$610

Renegade 4-door wagon, 2WD	$21,735	$20,359	$610

Renegade 4-door wagon, 4WD	$23,245	$21,753	$610

Limited 4-door wagon, 2WD	$21,600	$20,236	$610

Limited 4-door wagon, 4WD	$23,110	$21,630	$610

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Sport

Powertrain

2.4-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power steering, cloth upholstery, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, automatic-off headlights.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Outside-mounted spare tire, 215/75R16 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

Renegade adds to Sport:

Powertrain

3.7-liter V6 engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, cloth/leather upholstery, power mirrors, power front windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deep-tinted glass, fog lights, roof rack, roof light bar.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Front tow hooks, full-size spare tire, 235/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

Limited adds to Renegade:

Powertrain

4-speed automatic transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cloth upholstery, cargo cover.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Deletes: deep-tinted glass, roof light bar.

235/70R16 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg.
Sport	$2,445	$2,201
Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, auxiliary power outlet, cargo net, floormats, roof rack, outside-mounted full-size spare wheel, styled steel wheels.

27G Quick Order Pkg.
2WD Limited	$2,550	$2,295
4WD Limited	$2,945	$2,651
Leather upholstery, 6-way power front seats, Infinity AM/FM/cassette/CD player, overhead console, universal garage door opener, trip computer, heated power mirrors, theft-deterrent system w/alarm, Selec-Trac 4-wheel drive (4WD).

AJP Power Convenience Group
Sport	$485	$437
Power mirrors and windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry.

AHM Convenience Group 1
Sport	$185	$167
Illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, auxiliary power outlet, cargo net.

Security Group
Sport, Renegade	$250	$225
Limited	$175	$158
Cargo cover (Sport, Renegade), theft-deterrent system w/alarm. Sport, limited require deep-tinted glass. Sport requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg.

Off-Road Group
4WD Sport	$765	$689
4WD Limited	$520	$468
Limited-slip rear differential, heavy-duty engine cooling, tow hooks, skid plates, 235/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires. Sport requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg., 3.7-liter engine.

Trailer Tow Group
Sport, Limited	$365	$329
Sport/Limited ordered w/Off-Road Group	$245	$222
Heavy-duty engine cooling, 7-wire trailer harness, Class III hitch receiver. Sport requires, 3.7-liter engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning. Renegade requires 4-speed automatic transmission.

Powertrain
3.7-liter V6 engine
Sport	$850	$765


4-speed automatic transmission
Sport, Rengade	$825	$743
Sport requires 3.7-liter engine.

Selec-Trac 4-wheel drive
4WD	$395	$356
Sport, Renegade require 4-speed automatic transmission.

Limited-slip rear differential
Limited, Renegade, Sport	$285	$257
Sport requires 3.7-liter engine.

Safety
Curtain side airbags
Limited, Renegade, Sport	$490	$441


Antilock brakes
Limited, Renegade, Sport	$600	$540
Sport requires 3.7-liter engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning
Sport	$850	$765


Power sunroof
Limited, Renegade, Sport	$700	$630
Sport requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg.

Heated power mirrors
Limited, Renegade, Sport	$50	$45
Sport requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg.

AM/FM/CD player
Sport	$125	$113


AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Sport	$225	$203
Renegade, Limited	$100	$90
Requires Infinity speakers. Sport requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg.

6-disc CD changer
Limited, Renegade, Sport	$415	$374
Sport requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg., optional radio.

Infinity speakers
Limited, Renegade, Sport	$475	$428
Includes steering wheel radio controls. Requires AM/FM/cassette/CD player. Sport requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg., cruise control.

Cruise control
Sport	$300	$270
Includes leather-wrapped steering wheel. Requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg.

Tilt steering wheel
Sport	$140	$126


6-way power driver seat
Renegade, Limited	$300	$270


Heated front seats
Limited	$250	$225
Requires 27G Quick Order Pkg.

Mini overhead console
Renegade, Limited	$300	$270
Includes universal garage door opener, trip computer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights
Sport	$120	$108
Requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg.

Deep-tinted glass
Sport, Limited	$270	$243
Sport requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg.

Patriot Edition Graphics
Limited, Renegade, Renegade, Sport	$162	$162


Engine block heater
Limited, Renegade, Sport	$40	$36


Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Alloy wheels
Sport	$310	$279
Requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg.

Full-size spare tire
Sport	$120	$108


235/70R16 tires
Sport	$245	$221
Requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg., 3.7-liter engine.

235/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires
4WD Sport	$245	$221
Sport requires 23/26/27B Quick Order Pkg., 3.7-liter engine.

2002 Jeep Liberty Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Jeep Liberty 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	104.3

Overall Length, in.	174.7

Overall Width, in.	71.6

Overall Height, in.	70.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	3826

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	69.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.5

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	40.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	40.8

Rear Head Room, in.	42.1

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	37.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc I4	sohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.4 /148	3.7 /226

Horsepower @ rpm.	150 @ 5200	210 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	167 @ 4000	225 @ 4000

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	19/23	16/21

4-speed automatic	--/--	16/20

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Jeep Liberty 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	2

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	7/70,000	$100 deductible per visit.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

< 2002 Jeep Liberty Photos

Also in the 2002 Jeep Liberty Review:

Jeep Liberty

Jeep Liberty Road Test

Jeep Liberty Prices & Equipment

Jeep Liberty Specs & Safety

Jeep Liberty Photos

Jeep Liberty Full Review

All Jeep Libertys

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