Read More Customer Reviews

2012 Jeep Liberty Salt Lake City

Click Here to View Our New Jeep Liberty Inventory in UT!!

The 2012 Jeep Liberty gets a new Jet trim level and a new Arctic special edition package, while all models can now be had with rear parking sensors.  The Jeep Liberty is a practical SUV that doesn't hesitate to step off the pavement. True to Jeep's legendary 4x4 heritage, the Liberty offers two Jeep Trail Rated four-wheel-drive systems, giving it terrific off-road prowess. It's tall and angular, with bold, upright styling reminiscent of the rugged 1990s Jeep Cherokee. Unlike the old Cherokee, however, the Liberty rides nice and smooth. Yet it maintains the ruggedness that made Jeep famous.  The Jeep Liberty is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that makes 210 horsepower. A 4-speed automatic is standard.  The two four-wheel-drive systems, Command-Trac II and Selec-Trac II, make the Jeep Liberty highly capable off road, and they are further aided by Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.  Inside, the Liberty has plenty of room for five.  Cargo room is a plus. The Liberty's second-row seats fold flat, as does the front passenger seat, to provide plenty of room for hauling boxes, bikes and life's other accessories.

Driving Impressions of the 2012 Jeep Liberty

The Jeep Liberty offers a pleasant driving experience. The ride is generally firm, but the Liberty smoothes over most bumps and is never punishing, even with the available 18-inch wheels.  Its solid axle rear suspension is designed for the more rugged chores of towing and off-road capability.  Four-wheel-drive models have Hill Descent Control, which pulses the brakes through the ABS to limit the vehicle's speed when driving down steep grades. Hill Start Assist is also standard. It holds the brakes on hills when the driver releases the pedal to prevent the vehicle from sliding backward.  Wind noise and tire noise are well checked in the Liberty.  With the available towing package, the Liberty is capable of pulling a load up to 5,000 pounds. This towing capability combined with the Liberty's off-road prowess make it a good choice for families that like to camp, ski, or vacation at locations off the beaten path.

Interior Features of the 2012 Jeep Liberty

The Limited interior includes a leather-wrapped shift knob with a chrome cap; and leather accent stitching on the console and door armrests, grab handle, and parking brake boot.    Safety features on all Liberty models include dual front airbags, plus head-protecting side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors, front side airbags for torso protection, and active front-seat head restraints. Active safety features include anti-lock brakes with brake assist, hill start assist, traction control, and electronic stability control with rollover mitigation. The antilock brakes have rough road detection; when rough conditions are detected, the system holds the brake pulses longer to better slow the vehicle. Hill descent control is standard on 4x4 models. Optional safety features include trailer sway control and rear obstacle detection.

Exterior Features of the 2012 Jeep Liberty

The most noticeable aspect of the front end is Jeep's characteristic seven-slot grille. The grille is body color on the Sport and chrome on the Limited. The front fascia is body color on all, and the front air dam is removable to provide more ground clearance for off-roading.  From the side, the Liberty has tall windows in a squared off greenhouse. The Limited's chrome theme extends to the side with chrome side trim and roof rails. These components are black on the Sport. In an attempt to give the Liberty the open feel of a Wrangler, Jeep offers the Sky Slider sunroof. Jeep says this canvas power sunroof is four times the size of an average sunroof.

Model Lineup

The Jeep Liberty is offered in three trim levels. The Sport 2WD, Sport 4WD, Limited, and Limited 4WD  are available with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Renegade is available only with four-wheel drive. The only engine is a 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The base four-wheel-drive system is Jeep's Command Trac, a part-time system designed for off-road use. Also offered is Selec-Trac II, a full-time system that allows use of all-wheel drive on dry pavement. Both systems have low-range gearing. Liberty Sport features include cloth upholstery, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, 65/35 split folding rear seats, heated power mirrors, power locks, power windows, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo and auxiliary input jack, vehicle information center, and P225/75R16 all-season tires on aluminum wheels. Floor mats come standard. Sport options include a Sky Slider canvas sunroof; a regular sunroof; Class III towing package with trailer sway control; 235/70R16 all-terrain tires; skid plates. The Popular Equipment Group includes cargo compartment cover, fog lamps, roof rails, cruise control, external temperature display and compass, and deep-tinted glass.

Liberty Renegade includes skid plates for the transmission, transfer case, front suspension, and engine; transmission oil cooler; tow hooks; and fender flares. It is fitted for the more rugged off-roading experience. Options are similar to those of the Sport.

Liberty Limited comes with a 368-watt Infinity sound system with eight speakers, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant audio and vehicle information center controls, auto-dimming rearview mirror, roof rails, six-way power driver's seat, fold-flat front passenger seat, universal garage door opener, anti-theft alarm, fog lamps, and 235/65R17 all-season tires on aluminum wheels. Navigation systems include an AM/FM/CD/DVD system with HDD navigation, and Uconnect and a similar system with Garmin navigation. The Comfort and Convenience Group includes automatic climate control, rear park assist, and remote start. The Premium Wheel Group features P235/60R18 all-season tires on 18-inch chrome clad alloy wheels. Most of the options available for the Sport are also available for the Limited, where applicable.

Liberty Jet is an appearance package available on Sport and Limited models. Exterior features on the new Liberty Jet include 20-inch polished aluminum wheels fitted with P245/50R20 all-season tires; chrome lower fascia opening, body side moldings, license plate brow, roof rails and mirror caps; blacked-out headlamps; and unique Jet badging. Inside, the Jeep Liberty Jet edition boasts a 9-speaker premium audio system; a standard security system that includes supplemental side-curtain air bags and Park Sense rear park assist; available Dark Slate Gray leather seating with accent stitching; heated front seats, available with six-way power function for the driver and two-way for the passenger; leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; and one-touch up/down power windows.

Conclusions

The Jeep Liberty has better off-road capability and more towing capacity than most of its competitors. It offers generous cargo space and a high seating position.  If off-road capability is important, the Liberty is a good choice.  Click here to learn more about the 2012 Jeep Liberty.

Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com