Jeep Liberty wagon adds new trims with Renegade and Freedom
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Block letters in subtle body-color paint spell out J-E-E-P on the nose of a compact-class Liberty wagon that rolled out in 2002 as replacement for Jeep's venerable Cherokee sport-utility vehicle.
This latest Jeep not only possesses smooth-ride traits of contemporary car-based wagons but also rugged manners of brutish Jeeps capable of taking a hard tack over rough terrain far away from pavement.
That unusual combination of attributes -- easy to drive on pavement but highly agile in tough off-road situations -- makes Liberty a rare vehicle of multiple personalities.
And the editions of 2003 seem even easier to drive due to the addition of four-wheel disc brakes and revisions in the rack and pinion steering mechanism that reduce the effort required to turn the steering wheel.
Suspension also shows improvements from new springs and shock absorbers designed to lower the ride height and forge a smoother ride quality.
The unibody structure creates a strong container that resists flexing and twisting when set in motion on pavement or dirt and ultimately enhances Liberty's smooth-riding manners.
Jeep's compact-class wagon rises high in the traditional two-box format of a wagon but with corners contoured and lines chiseled in streamline fashion.
The familiar Jeep signature of a seven-slot grille flanked by large round headlamps becomes a focal point on the nose, which tapers from a narrow top to the broad bottom to add visual solidity to its stance.
Muscular features show up in the squared wheel flares and a broad band of body cladding.
Four doors provide a separate entry for every seat, and the tall structure carves out ample room for heads and legs of all passengers.
In back, a full-size spare tire mounts on the door -- a space-saving measure that not only makes the spare easy to reach but contributes to the muscular appearance.
The tailgate consists of two pieces with a flip-up window and swing-out door. Together, they offer flexible access to the cargo bay.
Liberty in debut issues divided into two trim versions of a base Sport and luxury-lined Limited, although now there are two more versions with Renegade and the new Freedom Edition.
Consider Sport as the price-leading model.
It draws from a Power Tech 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder Jeep engine that develops 150 hp at 5200 rpm and torque to 165 lb-ft at 4000 rpm.
All power translates through a manual five-speed stick.
Sport has high-back bucket seats clad in cloth fabric, the rear bench with split folding backs, a tachometer in the instrument cluster and rear window defogger and wiper.
Options range from air conditioning to power windows and door locks plus a CD changer for six discs and an Infinity audio system with six speakers.
Jeep's Power Tech V6 becomes an option for Sport but is the standard plant for Liberty's three other trims.
The six-pack displaces 3.7 liters and runs up to 210 hp at 5200 rpm with torque numbers climbing as high as 235 lb-ft at 4000 rpm.
Either a heavy-duty manual five-speed or an optional four-speed automatic transmission works with Liberty's V6.
Power from the engine channels either to rear wheels exclusively in a two-wheel-drive (2WD) system or all four wheels for four-wheel-drive (4WD) through one of two Jeep transfer cases -- a part-time Command-Trac system keyed to either engine or the Selec-Trac full-time system with V6 tied to the automatic transmission.
A monochromatic Liberty Limited rolls on 16-inch chrome wheels and features brushed aluminum trim elements in the cabin plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry system, and exterior embellishments like foglamps and a roof rack.
Limited packs the V6 and automatic four-speed transmission exclusively.
Traction options vary from standard rear 2WD to 4WD using the Selec-Trac full-time system.
Liberty Renegade looks tough wearing a two-tone front fascia, unique wheels and bolt-on wheel flares, plus removable tubular side steps and a rooftop cargo basket.
Also, Renegade totes an activity light bar on top that holds four halogen lamps producing 150,000-candlepower to shed light on a nighttime trail.
Renegade laces the cabin with luxury gear including leather seats and power controls for the driver's bucket.
It comes in either 2WD or 4WD with the part-time Command-Trac equipment.
A limited-production Freedom Edition is the latest Liberty trim.
The Freedom Edition tag changes to the Rocky Mountain Edition in Canada, while beyond North America it's called the Red River edition.
It stands out with a grille tinted to graphite with special fascia front and rear plus bolt-on wheel flares, curvy side moldings painted in the body color and Mopar tail lamp guards.
Graphite-tinged aluminum 17-inch wheels on Freedom Edition are capped by black sidewall Goodyear Wrangler all-season P235/65R17 tires.
In the cabin Liberty Freedom shows a two-tone color scheme combining Dark Slate Gray and Light Taupe. Standard equipment includes power windows and locks and mirrors, plus an AM-FM stereo radio with CD player.
Freedom draws from the Power Tech V6 and is available in 2WD or 4WD with the Command-Trac transfer case.
Options available for all trims include a power sunroof with solar-tint glass, a six-disc in-dash CD player with graphic equalizer and premium Infinity speakers with steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
Jeep holds a tight rein on Liberty's price points.
Current MSRP figures begin at $17,910 for Liberty Sport in 2WD and $19,460 for Sport 4WD. The Limited 2WD is $22,600, or $24,110 with 4WD. Renegade 2WD comes to $22,760 and the 4WD at $24,855, while Freedom is $22,855 (2WD) and $24,365 (4WD). For Renegade and Freedom, an automatic transmission adds $825.
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| 2003 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact 5-door SUV
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| Model Options: |
Compact 5-door SUV
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| Wheelbase: |
104.3 inches
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| Overall Length: |
174.4 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.4-L I4
SOHC 3.7-L V6
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| Transmission: |
I4: Manual/5
V6: Manual/5
Auto/4
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| Drive: |
2WD (Rear)
4WD
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc
ABS opt.
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| Airbags: |
2 (front)
+ opt. 2 (side curtain)
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| Gross Weight: |
I4 M/5: 2000 pounds
V6 M/5: 3500 pounds
V6 A/4: 5000 pounds |
| Gas Mileage: |
2WD I4 M/5: 20/24 mpg
4WD V6 M/5: 16/22 mpg
4WD V6 A/4: 16/20 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 18,0000 to $ 26,000 |
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