2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Test Drive and Review

America’s best selling mid-size SUV gets a modern common rail diesel option for 2005, which corrects the 3.7L gasoline Jeep Liberty’s most glaring shortcoming–its appalling fuel economy. With the diesel, the Liberty’s overall performance–acceleration, mid-range flexibility, hill climbing–has been significantly improved. Quiet, smooth, clean and efficient, the Liberty CRD could be the environmentalist’s SUV. Price is a bit off-putting though. MSRP: est. $30,000; Warranty: 3/36,000.

First Glance

Good looking as it is, you won’t confuse the Liberty with one of your cute 'utes. While its exterior dimensions would seem to put it in the same weight category as, say, the Ford Escape or Honda CR-V, at almost 4300 lbs the Liberty CRD is a good 800lbs heavier than either. And that extra weight is all muscle. The Liberty has a stocky, broad-shouldered, go-anywhere, do-anything air about it that makes its rivals look like citified girlie-trucks. But then, Jeeps have always had a reputation of being more than just boulevard cruisers. An optional off-road package includes enormous Wrangler SR-A tires (P235/70R16), fuel tank and transfer case skid plates as well as a locking differential. This Jeep comes with very short overhangs so you won’t easily get hung up in ditches, and both front and rear tow hooks in case you do. The seams on the exterior panels fit tightly and are a uniform distance apart, bespeaking a quality not typically associated with American utility vehicles. The Liberty is built in Ohio in a plant dedicated exclusively to this one vehicle.

In the Driver's Seat

The matte black, business-like dash on my upscale Limited exudes an unmistakably Teutonic air of no-nonsense functionality. To aficionados, this says Stuttgart. But the most Euro characteristic of the CRD is its common rail diesel engine, which is being offered here for the first time in an American vehicle. Every carmaker selling into the European marketplace has a common rail diesel option. In fact, so dominant have diesels become in that marketplace that, pick almost any brand and model, and you’d be more accurate calling the common rail diesel the base engine and the gasoline the optional one. The common rail uses what Robert Bosch GmbH, the leading supplier of common rail diesel components, calls a two-chamber system. The fuel is atomized in the common rail and then direct injected into the cylinder. Pressure in the "common rail," which looks like a 2-foot tube of about 1" diameter will top 2,000 BAR. The air in the cylinder head has also been put under great pressure on the intake stroke. The advanced system in the CRD uses two pilot injections prior to the main injection. This prepares the cylinders for the main injection of fuel, which helps to smooth out the main combustion and quiet the engine, especially at idle.

On the Road

With the Italian-made, 4-cylinder 2.8L turbodiesel under the hood, America’s top selling compact (or is it midsize?) SUV now becomes the most fuel-efficient. OK, the jury’s still out on that. But, it’s at least a very close second to the new Ford Escape Hybrid. The Liberty CRD has simply astonishing performance – astonishing all the more because it has only four cylinders pushing 4,300 lbs of 4WD. Like all diesels, the Liberty CRD moves out a bit slowly at first. But as soon as the revs have built up just a bit, it pulls like a draft horse up to limit. Its performance in all gears feels far superior to the 210hp, 3.7L gasoline. Not only does it feel a lot peppier, but it is definitely a lot more fun to drive than the 3.7L, which has to work hard just to keep the solidly-built Liberty moving with the traffic. With almost 300 lb-ft of torque (and 160 hp) the CRD has enough muscle to propel the Liberty around with no fuss and little apparent exertion. Although there is noticeable diesel clatter at idle, the engine is exceptionally quiet at highway speeds. Finally, the Liberty’s drivability in urban settings is greatly enhanced by the short overhangs. It feels like it turns in its own length.

Journey's End

I gave the Liberty CRD five stars, which is rare for me. I often give out 4 star ratings because, well let’s face it, there aren’t that many really lousy automobiles out there today. There are some I wouldn’t for a moment consider spending my own money on, but that’s as much a reflection of my personal tastes (and fiscal capacity) as it is a statement about how well a particular truck does what it is intended to do. If its primary purpose is do a particular job and it does that well, I’ll acknowledge that with stars. Even if it’s main purpose is to make a statement about its owner’s lifestyle and successfully does so, I’ll even reward that with stars. I may not want to have said about me what owning a Navigator or Escalade EXT, for example, says. But if you yourself want your neighbours to think you’ve got more money than brains, I say you’re entitled. Anyway, the Liberty CRD is a good ‘un. You’ll be surprised and delighted at the way the little 4-banger jumps up when you push on right pedal. You’ll be especially pleased with the fuel economy. The CRD should get twice the mileage of the 3.7L gasoline. And you’ll have twice the fun per mile getting it – if, that is, you can get past the added up-front cost of the CRD.