2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Quick Spin

Gas prices are not going to drop anytime soon. Worldwide demand for crude oil is way up, and even if the combination of a booming Republic of China, a dubious “war on terror,” and a double-whammy of catastrophic weather events in the Gulf of Mexico hadn’t forced fuel prices higher over the summer, the U.S. doesn’t have enough refining capacity to meet demand. And, as any Economics 101 student knows, when demand outstrips supply, prices rise. As a result, the nation’s infatuation with SUVs is ebbing. Sales of the largest models are down, and even the mid-sizers are collecting dust on dealer lots. Consumers are moving away from the traditional sport-utes in favor of crossover SUVs that blend the attributes of a car, an SUV, and a minivan into a plush, spacious, all-weather vehicle. Crossovers are more fuel-efficient, and they’re available from Ford and Toyota with hybrid powertrains. The main drawback to a crossover SUV, however, is that it can’t go too far off-road and can’t tow much weight, which is where the “trail-rated” 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD comes in. No, CRD doesn’t stand for “crud.” Rather, it’s an acronym for Common Rail Diesel. The Jeep Liberty CRD is equipped with a torquey 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine that gets better gas mileage than the Liberty’s standard 3.7-liter V6, can tow up to 5,000 pounds, and with standard 4WD enables its owner to go places most compact SUVs can’t. However, there are a few of pitfalls associated with the Jeep Liberty CRD. First, it’s not sold in all 50 states because tailpipe emissions don’t meet the strictest standards. Second, the price premium for the turbodiesel engine runs about $2,500. Third, diesel fuel is more expensive than regular gasoline. That means you’ve really gotta need that extra towing capacity and off-roading capability to justify buying the 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD.

Overview

Overview All Jeep Liberty CRD models come with a turbodiesel engine, an automatic transmission, and 4WD. Choose between Sport or upscale Limited trim. The 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD receives the same enhancements as the rest of the Liberty lineup, but the CRD model is offered only with 4WD in Sport or Limited trim. All 2005 Liberty models received freshened styling meant to reduce its “cute” factor and attract more male buyers. A new Renegade model, not available with the turbodiesel engine, takes the new look a step further with a different hood and more rugged detailing to create a tougher appearance. Inside, the power window switches are easier to find and use, the Liberty can be optioned with a Sirius satellite radio system, and a navigation system is now available. New seats are padded with dual-density foam for greater comfort, and interiors get revised upholstery choices. Fold the 2005 Liberty’s back seat and the load floor is flatter than before. Though its 160 horsepower rating might not impress, the Liberty CRD’s 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine puts out a whopping 295 lb.-ft. of torque at just 1,800 rpm – the best in the class, according to Jeep. Jeep also claims that the Liberty CRD improves fuel economy by 25 percent, and our testing confirms it. We got 13.8 mpg in a 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade with the standard 3.7-liter V6, while the Liberty CRD delivered 18.5 mpg. The EPA, optimists that they are, think the Liberty CRD will deliver 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Every Liberty CRD is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission, a Command-Trac two-speed transfer case with low range, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, and power rack-and-pinion steering. Front suspension is independent with coil springs, low-pressure gas-charged shocks, and a stabilizer bar. In back the Liberty has a solid axle with identical springs and shocks. Offered in Sport and Limited trim levels, the 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD comes standard with gray bumpers and fender flares, a body-color grille, fog lights, roof rails, a rear wiper, and power mirrors. Power door locks with remote entry, air conditioning, floor mats, cruise control, and a 65/35 split folding rear seat are also included in the $25,290 base price (including $660 destination charge). A CD player delivers tunes through six speakers, and the driver gets comfortable behind a tilt steering wheel wrapped in leather. The power windows include one-touch down operation for the driver and front passenger, and the P225/75R16 all-season tires are mounted on alloy wheels. Dual front airbags with an occupant classification sensor are also standard. Spend $27,520 for the 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited and you’re rewarded with body-color bumpers and fender flares, chrome exterior detailing, snazzier rims with 17-inch tires, and a cover for the full-size spare tire hanging off the back end. Limited versions also have upgraded upholstery and satin silver plastic trim accents, a cargo cover, a six-way power driver’s seat, and illuminated vanity mirrors. Added safety gear includes a tire pressure monitoring system. Boulder bashers will want to add the optional Off-Road Group for its Trac-Lok differential, all-terrain tires, skid plates, tow hooks, and heavy-duty engine cooling. The skid plates can be added to the Limited, too, and a Trailer Tow Group available on both models gets you to that 5,000-pound maximum trailer rating. For those who like a good cancer stick now and then, the Smoker’s Group includes a cigar lighter and an ashtray…not that you’ll actually use it to snuff butts.

Road Test

Road Test The EPA, optimists that they are, think the Jeep Liberty CRD will deliver 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. We averaged 18.5 mpg during a week of mixed driving. To find out if the 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD has an honest man’s chance in politics at success, we clattered about Los Angeles for a week in a bare-bones Sport model, recording an 18.5-mpg fuel economy average in the process – less than both the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid that we’ve tested. Somehow, we expected better than that, but since a regular Liberty with a 3.7-liter V6 managed a paltry 13.8-mpg average when attached to our staff’s lead feet, we can’t complain. Much. Crank the ignition and the Liberty CRD hesitates a moment before rattling to life, emitting a distinctive diesel racket from beyond the firewall that lends the jaunty Jeep instant character. Though it’s loud, the CRD version of the Liberty drives like any other, except when accelerating. Press the gas pedal, and there’s a slight hesitation while the engine’s turbo spools up. Then, a thick wad of torque propels the SUV with zest, making the Jeep a breeze to drive. Best of all is the fuel range. We extracted about 350 miles from a single tank, meaning that most people are likely to fill it just once a week. By contrast, the Renegade’s thirsty 3.7-liter V6 is quieter and smoother than the CRD while delivering a decent punch of torque down low. However, the Renegade lacks mid-range motivation, and as V6 engines go, it isn’t terribly refined. Plus, it got 13.8 mpg, making it less thrifty than a Hummer H3. Handling seems better with the Renegade, though based on the Liberty’s specification sheet we can find no suspension tuning, steering system, or wheel/tire differences that might explain this impression. In back-to-back driving, the Renegade seems tauter, less prone to head-toss on lumpy pavement, with crisper handling. The CRD exhibited a mushy, wallowing ride-and-handling mix, feeling much softer than any other Liberty we’ve driven. In any case, the Liberty’s tall driving position, rearward cabin placement on the chassis, and short wheelbase contribute to a tipsy feel from behind the wheel. Handling is secure in normal driving, but it’s easy to imagine that the Liberty’s gonna flip in a wreck or during emergency maneuvering. Slow, numb steering doesn’t help matters, though we found the brake pedal and brake response to be quite good. Slow, numb steering is a boon when off-roading, where a boulder can twist the wheel in your hands and snap a thumb if you’re not careful, and off-roading is where the Liberty CRD shines brightest. With eight inches of wheel travel, 9.4 inches of running ground clearance, and approach and departure angles of 36 degrees and 31.5 degrees respectively, the Liberty is among the best in its class when it comes to taking the road rarely traveled. And with a tow rating of 5,000 pounds, thousands more than most other small suvs, the Liberty CRD is clearly aimed at people who wish to maximize fuel economy and towing capacity while retaining the ability to tackle difficult terrain.

Comfort and Convenience

Comfort and Convenience You’re gonna want the Limited trim level, if for no other reason than to get the power six-way driver’s seat, which goes a long way toward making the Jeep Liberty CRD comfortable. 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.

FAQs

FAQs The Jeep Liberty CRD makes great sense for someone who needs to tow as much as 5,000 pounds or who needs to travel difficult terrain. Most consumers, however, would be better off in something else. How badly does the Jeep Liberty CRD pollute that it can’t be sold in California? According to the EPA, the Jeep Liberty CRD rates 1 on a scale from 1 to 10 for smog-forming pollutants, with 10 being cleanest. This is because the U.S. and the petroleum industry have been dragging their collective feet on mandating cleaner-burning, low-sulfur diesel fuel, like that used in Europe. In its defense, Jeep rolls the Liberty CRD out of the Toledo, Ohio, factory with five-percent bio-diesel fuel sloshing around in the tank, made from locally-grown soybeans. This is known as B5 fuel, which is not widely available outside of major soybean-production locations – like the flat farmland of Ohio. However, in 2006, Minnesota requires B2 – two-percent biodiesel – to be used in all diesel fuel pumps statewide. Yah sure, dey’ve got ya covered. Is the Liberty CRD’s increased fuel economy worth the environmental trade-off, and how does it compare to a hybrid SUV using conventional gasoline? Since the Jeep Liberty CRD undercuts a Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD by about four grand, you might be inclined to get one and enjoy the benefits of a true 4WD system. However, the spread between the two in terms of real-world fuel economy is 6.5 mpg in favor of the Ford, and the Escape Hybrid gets a big, fat, yellow smiley face from the EPA with air pollution scores between 7 and 9 (depending on region). The Escape can travel 133 more miles on the Liberty’s 20.5-gallon tank of fuel – more if you operate mainly on the batteries in heavy traffic – and with diesel hovering around three bucks a gallon, that adds up to an extra $21.61 every week with the Jeep, or just more than $1,100 a year. After four years, the Escape Hybrid becomes the better value, and it’s barely adding to that brown muck hanging over your suburb. So if the 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD is dirtier and less fuel-efficient, who would buy it? The Jeep Liberty CRD makes great sense for someone who needs to tow as much as 5,000 pounds or who needs to travel difficult terrain. Most consumers, however, would be better off in something else.

Specifications

Specifications The 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD’s main competitors are vehicles like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid and rugged but small off-roaders like the Kia Sorento and Nissan Xterra. Test Vehicle: 2005 Jeep Liberty Sport CRD Price of Test Vehicle: $25,290 (including $660 destination charge) Engine Size and Type: 2.8-liter turbodiesel inline four-cylinder Engine Horsepower: 160 at 3,800 rpm Engine Torque: 295 at 1,800 rpm Transmission: Five-speed automatic Curb Weight, lbs.: 4,306 EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 21/26 mpg Observed Fuel Economy: 18.5 mpg Length: 174.4 inches Width: 71.6 inches Wheelbase: 104.3 inches Height: 70.2 inches Legroom (front/rear): 40.8/37.2 inches Headroom (front/rear): 40.7/42.1 inches Max. Seating Capacity: 5 Max. Cargo Volume: 69 cubic feet Max. Payload: 1,150 pounds Max. Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds Min. Ground Clearance: 6.4 inches Competitors: Ford Escape Hybrid, Hummer H3, Kia Sorento, Land Rover Freelander, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Nissan Xterra, Suzuki XL-7, Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Photos courtesy of DaimlerChrysler