The Liberty is the Mama Bear of Jeep’s off-road lineup—smaller than the Grand Cherokee and its three-row-seating derivative Commander, yet larger than the Patriot car-based SUV. Now, it’s time to see it in action.

In 2001, Liberty replaced the venerable Cherokee, which was introduced for the 1984 model year with live axles front and rear, with the rear axle held in place by leafsprings. This pretty much defined the popular and iconic Cherokee, which became so noted that it continues as the car we call the 2010 Liberty.

The familiar 17-year-old shape of the Cherokee was the foundation of new welding processes that allowed a unit-body construction to be as strong as a body-on-frame truck. The Liberty’s new multi-link coil spring rear axle offers much better articulation in hairy off-road situations, as well as a more controlled ride on the highway. The Liberty also boasts independent front suspension, designed specifically for good clearance and accurate steering both off and on the road.

The Liberty was completely revised for the 2008 model year, returning to a two-box Jeep-familiar shape with very little front overhang, presenting the front tires prominently.

For 2010, the rugged Liberty SUV remains available with rear-drive standard for $23,460 (MSRP), with two optional four-wheel drive systems. The base system operates part time and locks the front and rear axles together, and the other is an automatic sensing system that can be used full time. Hard-core dirt drivers like the part time system for its simplicity and don’t mind shifting in and out of four-wheel drive as conditions change from slick to sticky. Both systems have low-range gearing, which is essential for delicate off-road maneuvers, for extra climbing ability and for traditional slope descent. Libertys with either four-wheel drive system are “Trail Rated^®,” which is Jeep’s test of off-road ability.

High-tech electronic driveline controls are also either standard or optional on the Liberty. A brake-based traction control system is available with the optional full-time four-wheel drive, and a brake-based Hill Descent Control lets you creep down a steep traverse without touching the brake pedal and risking a lockup. Hill Start Assist also keeps the brakes on for a moment after you take your foot off the brake pedal, allowing you to work the throttle and clutch without rolling backward.

To squeeze out more efficiency, Jeep has introduced a system that cuts fuel to the engine if you are slowing down and spares you the hypermiler technique of shifting into neutral and killing the engine on long downhill stretches just to save fuel.

The Liberty has good balance on the road, and its steering is accurate and quick. For 2009, Jeep stiffened up the rear axle shafts to keep them from acting like springs, which could make for bouncy acceleration and deceleration, and to make the already responsive steering even more so.

Liberty comes with a “Sky Slider” canvas roof as an option, which adds to the 2010 Jeep Liberty’s appeal for outdoorspeople, and it’s operated electrically, so you can open and close it at a stoplight.

Make this your year of Liberty! Call us to arrange a personal test drive!