2003 Jeep Liberty: Road Test
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2003 Jeep Liberty ▼
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- MSRP: $17,910 -$24,370
- Invoice: $16,878 -$22,777
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Our road test for the 2003 Jeep Liberty includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Jeep Liberty from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Jeep Liberty, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Jeep Liberty help you decide if a 2003 Jeep Liberty is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Sport 4WD, V6 auto. | Limited Edition 4WD | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.7 |
About 85 percent of Libertys sold are 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4.8 |
Test 4WD Limited Edition averaged 14.8 mpg. In mostly highway driving, test 4WD Sport averaged 16.6 mpg. Relatively small gas tank yields useful range of only about 270 mi. between fill-ups. Liberty uses regular fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Sport 4WD, V6 auto. | Limited Edition 4WD | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4.1 |
Not overly firm on bumps, though big ruts and ripples mean a jiggly but not uncomfortable ride. Rocking-horse motions and annoying side-to-side swaying on uneven surfaces are reduced some by the lowered ride height, but still noticed.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Sport 4WD, V6 auto. | Limited Edition 4WD | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not as responsive as Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute. In turns, grip and balance are good, but body lean remains pronounced even with the reduced ride height. Liberty's rack-and-pinion steering system feels firm and accurate, but transmits too much kickback off-road. Brakes feel strong and have the added benefit of rear discs for '03; lowered suspension seems to reduce nosedive in quick stops.
QUIETNESS
| Sport 4WD, V6 auto. | Limited Edition 4WD | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 5.2 |
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. New-for-'03 overhead console includes controls to customize such functions as which doors unlock with the first press of the remote keyfob. Interior has numerous padded surfaces, sturdy-feeling materials.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Sport 4WD, V6 auto. | Limited Edition 4WD | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 5.3 |
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 | 4.1 |
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. Seat sections easily fold in one motion without removing headrests, but don't lay flat. Folded seatbacks expose brackets on cargo bay walls that intrude into load space. Swing-open tailgate takes getting used to. Its window pops fully open via remote keyfob or pull of tailgate handle, but awkward reach into cargo hold undercuts that convenience.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Sport 4WD, V6 auto. | Limited Edition 4WD | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 5.7 |
Liberty is capable, solid, competitively priced, and the off-road compact-SUV leader. That earns a Recommended rating. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | 50 | 47.1 |
Total Score: 51
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