Reviews October 3, 2007, 7:07PM EST

Jeep's Sweet Liberty

The new 2008 Liberty is bigger, wider and more powerful, making it a better off-roader than ever

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With all the four-wheel-drive SUVs out there, it's surprising that more don't ever venture off-road. I mean really off-road. Not on a dirt road. But really off-the-road-into-the-woods-on-a-trail-that-scares-you kind of off-road. And honestly, it's too bad because that kind of off-roading is really a lot of fun. Just imagine the feeling of ascending an incline so vertical that all you see out the windshield is sky…or descending a path so steep you're literally hanging in your seat belts. It's a rush worth experiencing that has no on-road equivalent.

For 2008, Jeep offers true off-roading capabilities to those drivers who mostly need a practical five-passenger SUV for commuting and family duties. And for 2008, they can have a more capable vehicle with more content at a lower price than 2007.

Jeep's Liberty is new for 2008. With the exception of the tried and true 3.7-liter V-6 (210 horsepower/237 lb-ft torque) and its two transmissions, everything else is fresh or majorly tweaked. This capable ute takes its place among the largest range of Jeeps ever offered, from the mainstream not-Trail-Rated front-wheel-drive-Caliber-based Compass to the ever-popular Grand Cherokee. Thanks to the Compass and Patriot models, the Liberty was able to move out of role of Jeep's entry-level vehicle.

Compared to the outgoing model, the 2008 Liberty grew in wheelbase (by 1.8 inches), width (0.5 inch), and overall length (2.5 inches). Overall, the styling is Commander-esque. It looks good in person, with a particularly good angle being the powerful looking front fenders. Moving around back, the Wrangler-esque rear-mounted spare tire has been banished from its exterior mount on the cargo door. It now resides to under the load floor. The change is aesthetically and functionally welcome.

The Liberty 's incremental growth is put to good use inside, with the lion's share of it going to rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity (now up to 31.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats). Longer rear doors make getting in and out easier. Decked out in multiple tones of grays, silvers, and black, the interior décor is contemporary. Functionality is good, with an upright driving position, plenty of storage cubbies, a 115-volt outlet, and purposeful features like a reversible cargo floor (carpeted on one side, a washable plastic load surface on the other). An under-floor well in the cargo area is the perfect spot for muddy boots or the catch of the day.

Comfy ride, Adequate Power

Over the road, the new Liberty delivered a genuinely comfortable ride. For a truck, it felt softly sprung so there were no harsh jolts, but it never wallowed. Engineers succeeded in refining the Liberty 's on-road ride without compromising its off-road capabilities.

Unlike many small SUVs, Jeep eschewed front struts for a short/long arm front suspension, as the design provides greater articulation for trail work. In back, a live axle is suspended by a new five-link arrangement. The rack-and-pinion steering responded quickly, and the chassis followed suit by delivering flat cornering. Over the road or on trails, the interior proved quiet, with nary a squeak or rattle. This is truly noteworthy given the twisting forces working on the body when one or two wheels are off the ground scrabbling for traction.

As for acceleration, consider it adequate, which corresponds directly to the 3.7-liter's lackadaisical approach to revving up. Expectedly, with the optional four-speed automatic, the Liberty ' performance is mundane - rather dull. Choose the standard six-speed manual, however, and that changes. The gearbox has somewhat long throws if you're used to a Miata, and the acceleration doesn't suddenly transform this Jeep to a Jaguar, but the gear changes feel mechanically perfect, precise, and purposeful. This simple HMI (human machine interface) totally changes the character of the Liberty and compensates for any other shortcomings, real or perceived.

In today's world of drive-by-wire throttles and computer-controlled variable steering ratios, the pure "snick" of a shift lever connected directly to whirling gears is a rare and genuine automotive pleasure.