Filed under: SUVs
Jeep Liberty CRD off to strong start
Early sales figures are in for the new Jeep Liberty CRD, a.k.a. Common Rail Diesel, and
they're looking good. At the end of May 6,000 units had been shipped and half of those have been sold. The Liberty CRD
is spending an average of 23 days on the lot, which is about a third of the typical time for a Jeep product. The 2.8L
four-cylinder turbo diesel goes a long way to dispel the common misconception that today's diesels are smelly, loud and
weak performers. Jeep's powerplant delivers best in class torque with 295 lb-ft, best in class towing capacity at 5,000
lbs, and best in class range at about 500 highway miles. Plus, diesel engines are famous for being as durable and
dependable as mules. Thankfully they don't smell like them anymore.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joel A 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
"Plus, diesel engines are famous for being as durable and dependable as mules."
And they can eat like them, too (bio-diesel).
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James 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Jeep and diesel make a near-perfect combo.
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Sean 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
my brother in law really wants one of these, but the $k markup vs a gas engine is just silly and puts it out of his price range...
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Jason Reece 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
This is a good sign. I have envied the Europeans for years with their selection of great turbodiesel engines. Hopefully, we'll have more of them soon.
I did read that Honda now says they aren't planning to bring their diesel to the U.S. I hope they change their mind. I would buy an Accord diesel in a heartbeat.
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Autoguy 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Are these legal in California for sale?
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John Reeve 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
If you're interested in greenhouse gases, take a look at the figures for the Jeep Liberty at www.fueleconomy.gov. Although the CRD has 22% better fuel economy than the gasoline V6, the difference in greenhouse gases is only about 10-11%. I imagine the difference would be even less if you use gasoline with 10% ethanol, common in some states.
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Mike Homeniuk 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
...meanwhile, Honda, in their infinite wisdom, has decided we won't be getting their (now award winning) diesel after all. Are they nuts, or what?!
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Doogs 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
If they really want to see sales take off, they'll toss these in the new 4-door Wranglers.
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Andrew 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I don't understand how this vehicle is selling...
I test drove one of these a few months back. The claims that it has the acceleration of a V6 are bull. My Cherokee is probably 2 seconds faster to 60 (ok, inline 6 not v6, same difference). It definitely takes some time for the torque to really come on as well. I considered it until the dealership told me that it was not going to be available with the 6 speed manual and that there were basically no incentives to lower the cost - who heard of an offroad vehicle without a manual transmission option.
I went with a 9-2x Aero instead and saved myself enough money to buy gas for 7 years (at today's rates). I won't be able to do the Rubicon in my Saab, but I could do almost all the dirt roads, which is about all the offroad action Liberty owners subject their vehicles to, at twice the speed. IMO it's not worth it.
I'm a Jeep faithful too, I currently own two...
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Chris S 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I'd like the torque of a diesel, but once you figure in the additional up-front cost and the price of diesel fuel, it just doesn't make a lot of sense... Europeans get (I think) some sort of tax break for buying cars with smaller displacement engines, so a turbo diesel is a nice setup. But here in the states, I just don't see it catching on in big numbers.
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Doogs 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Chris - I think a tax break on smaller displacement engines or engines over a certain efficiency would be a phenomenal idea, at least as an incentive for automakers to bring their diesels to the states. Of course, if wishes were horses...
About the upfront cost of the Liberty CRD - Edmunds did a comparison test with it and the new Lexus and Toyota hybrids not too long ago. Among other things, they found that:
"[The CRD] adds about $2 grand to the price tag, though with the added equipment that comes standard on the diesel, the difference is really just $845."
"Based on the mileage we got in the Liberty CRD, WE'D COME OUT AHEAD AFTER A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. It would take us about five years to break even in the Highlander Hybrid and about six years in the RX 400h."
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md 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Chris, that may be true, but considering that diesels have a reputation of a lasting longer than gas engines, maybe that will appeal to a lot of people who plan to keep the car a long time.
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Chris S 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
But is anybody having a problem with the longevity of gas engines these days? Even the engines in my GM trucks have lasted 100k easily and are probably still going. I know there are people out there that keep their cars for 10+ years, but I don't know any myself. I'm going to read that Edmunds article, that sounds interesting. For $845 it might be worth a look.
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required 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
when i was in Spain this fall, diesel was CHEAPER than regular gas. It was something like .85 euro/litre for diesel and ~1euro/liter for gas. That coupled with the higher mileage (and range) of diesels made my Golf TDI a much cheaper rental than a gas-powered car.
If diesel was less expensive here, the choice could be more obvious.
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Gary 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Here in Canada, diesel is also significantly cheaper, by about 3 or 4 cents a litre. (About 15 cents per US gallon.) I have a Liberty myself and I love it (did my first Jamboree on the weekend, so it IS off-road capable, trust me) but I would love to try out the diesel!
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Brian 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I've had my Liberty CRD for just over two months now and it exceeds all expectations. My fuel mileage has steadily increased during break-in; I'm now up to 26 MPG in real-world driving (70/30 highway/city). Compare this to the 14-16 MPG that V6 Liberty owners I've talked to get and I'd say the slightly higher cost of diesel fuel is well worth it.
When looking at the extra cost of the diesel option on the Liberty, it seems everyone misses the fact that the CRD comes standard with items that are optional on the other Libertys. Take the 5-speed automatic (NA on any other model), Select-Trac Full-Time 4WD System ($400), 4-wheel ABS ($600) and engine block heater ($40) as examples. On top of that the recommended service interval is 12,500 miles on the diesel!
And in regards to Andrew's comments, every review of the CRD has its 0-60 time 1-2 seconds faster that the Liberty 3.7l V6. Comparing the Liberty CRD to an older, much lighter, Cherokee is apples to oranges. The lag you noticed when accelerating from a stop has been eliminated in the latest ECU flash available at the dealer. Tire spin is easily obtainable now. I also had no problem getting the CRD at invoice, with $1000 cash back and 0% financing. The incentives are there, maybe you should've went to another dealer.
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Brian 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
For comparison's sake I just went to jeep.com and built two identical Libertys. One with the V6, one with the CRD. Other than engines, everything is the same (well the CRD has a 5-speed automatic, but you can't get it with the V6) The results:
CRD: $25,870 MSRP
V-6: $25,155 MSRP
Some quick calculations show that I will recouperate the cost difference in fuel savings alone (based on my mileage results and those of V-6 owners I've talked to and current gas and diesel costs) within the first 20,000 miles.
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JM 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I'm puzzled about the high cost of diesel ih the US too. Technically it should be cheaper to make due to less refinement is needed compared to gasoline. Maybe its taxes, low desiel demand/poor logistics, or some additives that drive up the cost. Anyone have a clue?
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Mark 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I've heard theories that diesel is so expensive here in the US in order to stick it to the Teamsters and other unions.
I agree with Doogs, a Wrangler (even a 2-door one) with a CRD engine would be awesome.
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Chad 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Brian, I would love to hear more about your CRD!!! My wife and I are interested in making biodiesel and wonder if you have ANY gripes w/your CRD that would make me consider against it. We originally wanted a hybrid SUV, but the torque and durability of the diesel just makes too much sense, and the Touareg is just too damned expensive.
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