2002 Jeep Liberty

Like lots of Jeep lovers, we looked forward to the debut of the 2002 Jeep Liberty, successor to the venerable Jeep Cherokee that kicked off the compact SUV craze nearly 20 years ago. We fell in love with the Toledo-built Liberty at a glance, from the bug-eyed taillights to the exaggerated version of the classic Jeep grille. Design-wise, Liberty is a four-star vehicle, inside and out.

We tested two different versions of Liberty, a base two-wheel-drive Liberty Sport with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine priced at an affordable $19,400. We also drove an upscale Liberty Limited Edition 4WD with a $27,240 sticker. The disappointing story of this second Liberty is the focus of our review.

He: I have to admit, this is the first vehicle I've tested where an actual panel fell off while I was driving. We were cruising up Gratiot Avenue on a Friday night, heading for the movies, and without warning the 15-inch panel under the steering wheel dropped onto my legs. I was doing about 35 miles an hour at the time and almost lost it, I was so startled.

She: Oh, you're just upset because you live with me and you're used to perfection.

He: If only you knew how to build Jeeps, dear.

She: I'm just trying to take the edge off a bad situation. Especially since I was prepared to give the Liberty high marks. But now I don't see how we can even give it a two-star rating. That kind of stuff is totally unacceptable.

He: The loose panel really jolted me, and I can imagine how a real live customer might have reacted. If it were my new Jeep, I'd probably take it right back to the dealership and ask for my money back. Until that point, the Liberty seemed like a pretty decent vehicle to me - in fact, one of the more interesting newcomers in the sport-ute segment. It's got the looks and, with the six-cylinder engine, definitely has the muscle. The 3.7-liter V-6 is quite powerful. It makes 210 horsepower and 235 pounds-feet of torque, and the Liberty is light enough that you can really feel the acceleration, even with the automatic transmission. But I was also impressed with the ride, which is considerably more civilized than that of the old Cherokee, and the new rack-and-pinion steering, which has a nice, crisp feel.

She: We should point out that we didn't lose any parts on the other Liberty we tested. And I think the styling is outstanding. It's one of the best designs of 2002 so far. It's a cut above some of the more generic-looking SUVs.

He: I think the Liberty has a lot more character than the Ford Escape, which basically resembles a scaled-down Explorer. No matter which angle you see it from, there is no mistaking the Liberty for anything but a Jeep, yet it looks distinctive and different from the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee. Best of all, it performs offroad like a real Jeep, too.

She: If only you could get it into four-wheel drive. I have written before about my problems with the transfer-case shift lever , which is stiff and difficult to engage. I understand that Jeep lovers like manipulating gears. They weren't that crazy about the idea of a pushbutton on the dashboard that would shift electronically. Jeep is aware of this problem with the lever, and I believe they're working to fix it. There were a couple of other minor gripes. The antilock brakes on our test vehicle cost $600 extra, and if you want side curtain air bags, expect to pay another $390. I didn't care for the location of the power window switches. They should be on the door, not the center console.

He: The rest of the cabin is pretty plush, though. Even the low-end Jeep Sport had comfortable seats and a well laid-out instrument panel. And I liked little design touches like the D-ring door handles. The rear tailgate is a split design. When you unlock it, the glass swings up and the lower gate swings open to one side, which makes it really easy to load and unload groceries or cargo. But if you carry adults or long-l ed passengers, don't be surprised if they complain about the lack of legroom in the rear seat.

She: I've been in three Libertys in the past three months, including a very impressive offroad excursion in Virginia. My rides have left me both pleased and shocked. How do you grade a vehicle that's so inconsistent?

2002 Jeep Liberty LTD.

Anita's Rating: (Subpar)

Paul's Rating: (Acceptable)

Likes: Attractive, fresh look. Performs beautifully off-road. Cushy options like heated seats, power sunroof. Quiet cabin, supportive seats. Sedan-like ride. Reasonably priced.

Dislikes: A section of the instrument panel fell off while Paul was driving. Transfer-case shifter lever feels stiff and is difficult to opperate. You'll paay extra for safety equipment like side-curtain air bags and anti-lock brakes. Rear seat has limited legroom. Power window controls are in dumb spot on center console.

Type: Front-engine, four wheel drive, five passenger sport-utility vehicle.

Price: Base, $22,720; as tested, $27,240 (inc. $585 destination charge).

Engine: 3.7-liter V-6; 210-hp; 235 lb-ft torque.

EPA fuel economy: 16 mpg city / 20 mpg highway.

12 month insurance cost, estimated by AAA michigan: $1,208 (rates may be higher or lower, depending on coverage and driving record.)

Where built: Toledo