Depending on what you order, you can get either Command Trac, which is standard or the optional Select Trac. Command Trac is a part time system, electronically shifted with both high and low ranges. Select Trac is a full time system with a 42/58 torque split as well as high and low ranges. In both cases the front axles are Dana 30 units in front and Jeep's own design in the rear.

In addition to choosing the 4X4 system, you have to choose between a six-speed manual gearbox and a four speed electronically controlled automatic. This is where you need to pay close attention to the order sheet. Your choice of transmission affects the gear ratios and may limit your tire choices. Over all top gear for the automatic is 2.57 while the six-speed manual comes in at 2.69. With six gears to play with the manual uses a 4.46 ratio for first and hits 1.0 in fifth gear. The automatic uses a 2.84 ratio for first and hits 1.0 in third gear. All this means is that rock crawlers are probably better off with the six speed while the operagoers are better off with the automatic.

The Liberty will do nearly as much as the Wrangler, but is so much more civilized!

My time in this Limited Edition Liberty was quite enjoyable thanks to leather seats and a cushy (for a Jeep) ride in town. The extent of my off-roading consisted of a couple of trails and a few hills. Suspension travel kept things smooth and the short overhangs meant that I could come down some pretty steep hills and not stick at the bottom. This little trick provided me with gales of laughter when I took a pavement only person down one of the steeper hills. Something about the look of panic when hanging in the seat belt and waiting for the crunch that never comes is just too funny to pass up.

On a more normal level, the Liberty is aimed at those who would like a small Jeep, but don't want as Spartan a unit as the Wrangler. Jeep does have an optional, full length, canvas sunroof dubbed the Sky Slider to give you the Wrangler feel, but I'm quite happy with the normal glass paneled one that my test unit came with.

One option that I only got part way into was the MyGig, a multimedia infotainment system that fully integrates audio, navigation, entertainment and hands free communications. There is a 20 gig hard drive to store up to 1,500 MP3s. and Sirius Satellite radio. All functions can be controlled by voice commands or by touch screen controls. The bit that I did use seemed pretty easy to master, so there may be hope for me yet.

Liberty is exactly what Jeep intended, a comfortable option to the Wrangler for those who only need to go over tall curbs on the way to the opera or getting groceries in comfort. The Liberty will do nearly as much as the Wrangler, but is so much more civilized!


Photo Credit : Charles Renny, Chrysler