A power driver’s seat is standard on the 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, and it makes a huge difference in terms of comfort. Plus, the Limited’s standard fabric is much more pleasing. The difference is almost worth the price spread between the Sport and the Limited. Almost.

Aside from this issue, the Jeep Liberty is reasonably comfortable and convenient to use. The upper door panels are softly padded to make great elbow rests, there’s plenty of leg and foot room up front, and except for the power window switches in the center console, all controls are logically laid out and simply marked. The stereo is the usual glossy-faced, can’t-figure-out-the-presets, where’s-the-frickin’-tuning-knob Chrysler design, but that’s going to change with the next Liberty redesign.

Back seat occupants might complain about tight leg room and a lack of thigh support – we can’t understand why, in a vehicle with as much head room as the Liberty, the rear bench is mounted so low – but there’s enough foot space under the front seats to accommodate size-12 Timberlands. Getting in and out of the Liberty takes practice to avoid whacking your head entering the front seat or dragging your clothes across the intrusive rear wheel wells. And everyone is likely to gripe about the turbodiesel’s clatter, driveline whine, and wind noise on the highway.

Kick these sniveling passengers out and fold the rear seat to create 69 cubic feet of cargo volume, but if you’re six-feet-tall, watch your head on the flip-up rear window latch when loading the Liberty or – ouch! The Liberty’s swing-to-the-side tailgate is less than ideal, a trade-off for stowing the full-size spare on the outside of the vehicle in exchange for added cargo capacity and a more rugged and traditional appearance. Inside, storage areas are few and far between, and rear seat riders get nothing but low-mounted bottle holders in which to stow gear. Not very active-lifestyle friendly, Jeep.