Agincourt Chrysler Jeep

2008 Jeep Liberty Preview
by Justin Pritchard / Auto123.com

Introduced in 2002, the Jeep Liberty was never a poor performer when it came to serving up relatively refined road manners, great features, safety and of course a sense of adventure that comes with every trail-rated Jeep product.

But for 2008, upgrades are everywhere and the Liberty is better than ever.

First off, the styling has made a dramatic leap forwards- or backwards depending on your perspective. It looks more classical and nostalgic than its bubbly cartoon-character predecessor, and most will agree it shares plenty of styling cues with its big brother the Commander.

Broadening its appeal to the consumer, the Liberty features a number of interior upgrades as well. These include larger, more usable storage spaces and more comfortable seats which are heated and offer memory function. There's remote start available too, along with rain-sensing wipers and a fully-opening canvas roof which Jeep calls Sky Slider.

It's reminiscent of a cruise through the Safari, and allows drivers to experience a true sense of open-air freedom at the press of a button.

The interior is still easily identifiable as that of a Jeep. The dashboard is slim, there's a grab handle for entering passengers in front, and the layout of instruments and controls is largely simple and understated. But, add a new suspension which promises an even smoother and quieter ride, and it's apparent that the Liberty might be targeting buyers after the more premium side of the small SUV segment.

Buyers can opt for Chrysler's MyGig infotainment system as well, which combines navigation, audio, satellite radio and a hands-free communication system with a 20 gigabyte hard drive for the ultimate in mobile entertainment. This allows drivers to download their own music and even photography to the system.

When you're a small SUV nowadays, different is good- or so says George Murphy, Senior VP of Global Marketing at Chrysler. "The all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty stands out from the competition by offering customers classic Jeep design, two four-wheel-drive systems, refined on-road ride and handling, cargo and utility, as well as features that are not typically found on vehicles in the mid-size SUV segment".

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