Spy Shots: 2008 Jeep Liberty
At first glance it might look like a slightly taller Dodge Nitro, but this test vehicle actually appears to be the new 2008 Jeep Liberty. A close look at the nose shows Jeep's 7-bar grille, and the sides also bear a striking resemblance to the boxy but functional Jeep Commander. The spy shot snappers at KGP Photography speculate that it shares the same platform as the Nitro but sits a little taller with a more vertical windscreen and more utilitarian boxy roofline providing more cargo and headroom. The sides are also noticeably different from those of the Dodge Nitro, meaning few body panels will likely be shared between the two. The rear hatch seems to have a separately functioning rear window to aid access and further differentiates itself from its Dodge sibling. Showing that Jeep is serious about a return to the basic functionality and off-road-worthiness it is known for, the Liberty appears to sacrifice a bit of style for the sake of utility, just like the Commander. This news is welcome to some who were worried about Jeep attacking its own essence by selling soft roaders like the Patriot and Compass. Follow the read link for several full-car photos.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Drewboy 4:07PM (9/20/2006)
Its too slab-sided. That does nothing for me.
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Loren 4:20PM (9/20/2006)
This one looks a lot better than the earlier version, to me this one goes back to its roots being the Cherokee. Looks like a cross between the old Cherokee and the new Commander
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That One Person 4:28PM (9/20/2006)
I like it. I was mad when they killed of the Cherokee. I am glad they are making it more squarish.
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Kowell 4:43PM (9/20/2006)
you sure it's not a commander? or the plain old Cherokee Sport?
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Eric L 9:40PM (9/20/2006)
I like it except for the roofline. I dont like the rise from the front ot the back. Didn't like it on the current model either. Makes it look stumpy. If it was level roof line I think it would be really nice.
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Jon 5:56PM (9/20/2006)
So a few years back Jeep killed off the Cherokee because it wasn't selling well, and now they are making nearly every new model look exactly like the Cherokee - the Commander, the Patriot, now this - all just different variations on the Cherokee look. One model that way is good. Three is too much !
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toby 6:53PM (9/20/2006)
They did not kill the Cherokee because it was not selling well. If I remember correctly it was selling in pretty good numbers. Chrysler just likes change. Willy's and AMC did not change styling very often. They just updated the running gear. Chrysler changed the name because it was PC. There were a lot of things that had American Indian names that changed. I Imagine that the Grand will at some point get a name change
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Tio 6:57PM (9/20/2006)
I like the greenhouse better than the Liberty's The Way the roof narrows from the beltline upward is one of the big things I do not like about the Liberty.
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Ryan H 7:59PM (9/20/2006)
After spending a few of my years in and around a Jeep dealership, I'll have to say the Cherokee buyers sure were interesting. It was amazing. You'd get the same folks who would come back every 2 to 3 years and just ask for another Cherokee. Possibly a different color or radio options, but always a Cherokee. When the Liberty came out in 2002, the Cherokee buyers went on an uproar. The Liberty was not the Cherokee. Many of the loyal Cherokee buyers to this day are still running on used Cheorkees. I believe if Chrysler can make the Liberty look like the Cherokee, they will rekindle old flames in former Cherokee buyers.
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Sean C 11:18PM (9/20/2006)
Seems awfully big to be a liberty.
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ebm14 7:45PM (9/21/2006)
I just don't hope this is a rebadge Nitro with a Jeep logo.
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Kumar 7:05AM (9/22/2006)
Anyone else think those pics show that the spare will be UNDER it now instead of causing massive repair bills during a rear end collision? That would actually be a big improvement.
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Jro 1:51PM (10/04/2006)
The 1984+ Cherokee had a great following and a great design. I think why it was killed off was the fact that all other SUVs had evolved in styling, ride and comfort (the latter two the XJ definitely lacked). I think with the Commander, the Patriot and this new Liberty, Jeep is going after it's original customer base looking for ruggedly-built, functional SUVs. The upright windshield, flat grille and slabbed sides are design cues that I think will create a revived customer base for Jeep.
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Ian 1:57PM (10/07/2006)
looks like a Nitro with a different grill. I hope they don't think we are that dumb.
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Paul 11:38AM (10/14/2006)
Although it certainly looks like it has some KJ leaning styling (the plastic door trim probably says Liberty under that vinyl cover), I would have a tough time calling this a Liberty. This really DOES look like a Jeep Cherokee.
Everything looks fine, except for a couple nit-picks.
1. Jeep should keep the round headlights. They tout the '7 slot grille' all over the place, but pay no mind to the lights. The round lights are just as memorable as a grille. But, seriously, who ever counts the slots in a grille?? Their prioroties are a little mixed.
2. This model is too low. This is not 1960 where people want bigger, lower cars. The days of the 'ghetto glider' are gone. We want utility and capability MUCH more than something that performs well on a make believe race course of cones. That is not reality, but bottoming out on some rocks is.
3. A spare tire under the rig is a pain to retrieve when in mud. I have a KJ now, and have had tires blow on hills in the mud (these conditions at work, not playing around). It was easy changing the tire, and I didn't have to lay in mud to get it out from under the rig. At the very least, offer a spare tire holder inside the rig, like the old Cherokees had.
Going from a Cherokee to Liberty was an easy transition for me. Going from a Liberty to a Commander or this proposed rig would be tough.
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