This week, I rented a jeep liberty 4x4. It has the classic 3.7L V6, which is near gutless. Overall, it's designed to look like a Jeep, with rough-n-tough styling everywhere. It just looks cheap to me. And the interior seems no tougher than any other, more modern product.
In a nutshell, the Liberty is a new production "Bronco II". It rides like the short, stiff trucklet that it is. It's responsive enough to be, uhhh, not unpleasant. The drivers feet have limited room, due to the huge transmission tunnel. But, that's OK too. Dare I say it, it's fun sometimes. With a more responsive engine, this thing could really be a blast in the right conditions.
But, a quick glance underneath illustrates why it feels like and performs exactly like an old Bronco II type truck. That's exactly what it is. With a large solid rear axle, stout suspension components and decidedly heavy duty construction. It really is "un-modern" and built with "heavy duty" in mind.
I don't believe it's actually any better than modern vehicles. Just constructed the "old school" way. In contrast to a Ford escape ecoboost, the liberty is likely not better for the average user. The ford simply works far better. But, if you need that old school toughness, such as for mild off roading, carrying stuff (great interior volume) and or blazing around the farm, the liberty may have a place in your garage.
They are reasonably inexpensive (used) and are rated to tow 5000 pounds. About 20MPG, driving carefully.
In a nutshell, the Liberty is a new production "Bronco II". It rides like the short, stiff trucklet that it is. It's responsive enough to be, uhhh, not unpleasant. The drivers feet have limited room, due to the huge transmission tunnel. But, that's OK too. Dare I say it, it's fun sometimes. With a more responsive engine, this thing could really be a blast in the right conditions.
But, a quick glance underneath illustrates why it feels like and performs exactly like an old Bronco II type truck. That's exactly what it is. With a large solid rear axle, stout suspension components and decidedly heavy duty construction. It really is "un-modern" and built with "heavy duty" in mind.
I don't believe it's actually any better than modern vehicles. Just constructed the "old school" way. In contrast to a Ford escape ecoboost, the liberty is likely not better for the average user. The ford simply works far better. But, if you need that old school toughness, such as for mild off roading, carrying stuff (great interior volume) and or blazing around the farm, the liberty may have a place in your garage.
They are reasonably inexpensive (used) and are rated to tow 5000 pounds. About 20MPG, driving carefully.
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