Ok, so I just got rid of a lemon of a car, (please refer to my epinion review of the 1999 Cadillac STS).... and I decided to get into an SUV. I didn't want one of those huge overbearing SUV's, so I was looking at SUV's such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, and Jeep Liberty.

I decided on the Jeep Liberty for the following reasons:
1) its domestic and although I hear overseas vehicles are better, I just can't bring myself to purchase one.
2)The size
3)Over-road abilities.

I have had my Liberty for about a month. I purchased it as a lease back with 34,000KM and still covered by manufacturer's warranty.

So far, I love this vehicle. It is roomy enough for my spouse and I, has a decent stereo and considering that its an SUV, it rides pretty good. I'm trying to be as transparent and unbiased as I can, since I came from driving a full-sized Cadillac.

I think one of my favorite features about the Liberty is the 4x4 capabilities. My particular model gives me the choice between 2 wheel drive (for normal dry roads), 4x4 part-time (for slippery roads) and 4x4 Fulltime (for anytime driving). I like this feature, because when 4x4 isn't needed, you can put the Liberty into 2 wheel drive, thereby saving fuel consumption. I had looked at a Jeep Grand Chereokee, but what I didn't like the Grand Chereokee's that I saw is that they were 4x4 ALL THE TIME, with no option to go to 2 wheel drive. This is a waste of energy/fuel etc in my opinion. Other smaller SUV's had "All Wheel Drive" options, but that isn't the same as 4x4 and again, they didn't have 2 wheel drive capabilities.

The only thing I guess I can complain about (if I have to) is the lack of "knooks and crannies" to put things. The glove box is very small and although there is a small compartment under the climate control, its is rediculously small...I'm not sure what you could put there...besides the fact, while drive, anything put there will likely fall out on corners. Another "complaint" is fuel consumption. I did expect to get slightly better gas milage in this vehicle due to the fact of its size. However, all in all, my gas milage is approximately 23mpg on the highway and about 18mpg in the city. I can usually get about 450KM on a tank in the city and about 600KM on the highway. Its on par with my Cadillac, which is surprising since my Caddy had a 300HP V8... but it is still an SUV afteral.

My JEEP is "Trail Rated" which to my knowledge means its been put through the tests in terms of off-roading. I have not had the opportunity to take it off-roading too much. I did take it on a trip to a national historical park near where I live, and in doing so went on some back roads. It handled very well on both paved, dirt and gravel roads. Since the liberty has a decent road clearance, I found it to be very good in the old rutty roads I took it on.

I am looking forward to our winter. I live in Western Canada (Saskatchewan) and we get plenty of snow in the winter, so after I've driven for a winter season, I'm sure I'll be back here revising my review, praising it for its capabilities.
Amount Paid (US$): 22900
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2005
Model and Options: Jeep Liberty Limited