2012 Jeep Liberty

The Jeep Liberty’s biggest update with 2012 MY comes in the form of a new trim level. The current iteration of the SUV is available in three different options including the Sport, Limited, and Jet trims at a starting price tag of $23,395. Apart from standard specifications on offer, each trim gets access to a set of optional packages to improve performance and practicality. While Towing Package is available with all the trims, the base Sport trim in its 4WD avatar is eligible for the newly introduced Arctic Special Edition Package that adds better upholstery, special badging, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

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Price differences among each trim seem to be minimal especially when moving from the Limited to the Limited Jet trim. While the base variant is in no way ill-equipped, an almost $3,500 jump to the mid-level option does allow access to better features including mirror memory, driver lumbar support, and a plethora of optional packages including the Comfort and Convenience Group Package. Keeping in mind the price to performance ratio, the Limited trim seems to be the best pick in the lineup.

The 2012 Jeep Liberty continues to make use of a 3.7L V6 engine to power its performance. This engine that sits under the hood of the SUV outputs 210hp and 235lb.-ft of torque. Being the least powerful option available in the segment, acceleration feels slow-moving and you would want to push the throttle beyond its limit to get the vehicle to improve its performance.

 When tested, unsurprisingly, the 2012 Liberty lurks at the bottom of the table clocking9 seconds to the 60mph mark. In the quarter-mile run as well, performance does not seem to improve and a timing of 16.2 seconds is evidence of the fact. Moreover, the 4-speed automatic transmission that the SUV comes equipped with feels dated and does very little to improve the rough and coarse ride quality. Power is transferred to either the front or all wheels of the vehicle. Irrespective, it can tread over uneven patches without an iota of difficulty.

When compared to the competitors, each contemporary vehicle has better power and torque outputs including the 2012 Mazda CX-7, that despite a turbocharged inline-4 manages to produce 244hp and 258lb.-ft of torque. In terms of performance, it ranks third in the segment, just behind the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Nissan Xterra that lead the segment clocking 7.2 and 6.6 seconds to the 60mph mark, respectively. Additionally, each SUV boasts of refined ride quality, making the Jeep an untoward option in this aspect.

With a V6 engine propelling its performance, the efficiency is bound to go for a toss. The 2012 Jeep Liberty’s MPG figures are lowest in the class, but only by a notch or two. In the city limits, it averages 16 MPG and when sweeping through the traffic on the highway, efficiency increases to 22 MPG. While its combined mileage of 18 MPG is underwhelming as per class, the SUVs sizable fuel tank of 19.5-gallons comes to the rescue allowing the Liberty to average a class-competing range of 312 city and 429 highway miles.

The Mazda CX-7 continues to be the undisputed leader of the pack averaging 20 MPG. However, its fuel tank is the least voluminous, consequently causing a bearing on the range that it covers. Despite being equally efficient, the 2012 Nissan Xterra’s fuel tank helps cover a total range of 464 highway miles. The FJ Cruiser is also an affable performer but its range reduces its performance potential.

The 2012 Jeep Liberty’s interior is ergonomic but lackluster. Though it is practical with a driver-focused set up and aimed at comfort with an extensive list of standard features, its second-grade materials cause it to lose ground against its rivals. It makes use of hard-touch plastics all around and even the seats get covered in cloth as standard. However, its unique selling proposition is its ability to provide ample space to all passengers. The cabin feels proportionately built and even rear seats have been curated to accommodate passengers above six feet.

While in isolation, its cargo capacity of 26.1 cu.-ft feels adequate, it’s the lowest in the segment. However, you do get an option to split-fold the rear seats and consequently, trunk volume increases to a mammoth 62.4 cu.-ft. On the other hand, you do get several optional packages to choose from. For instance, the 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport 4WD trim buyers can avail the special Arctic Package to add vinyl upholstery to the cabin.

In the segment, each SUV has a seating capacity of five passengers and while all three SUVs from Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota provide ample space for front-seat occupants, the Jeep paves the way with maximum space at the rear. Additionally, the 2012 Xterra manages to create a niche for itself by providing the highest cargo space of 36.3 cubic feet, however, it is the Mazda CX-7 that emerges victorious with a sizable boot and most importantly a refined cabin build.

Some of the salient interior features of the 2012 Jeep Liberty include:

• Front seats with heating functionality and memory
• Tilt-Adjustable Steering Wheel
• Front and Rear Cupholders
• Cargo Area Light
• Single-zone Front Air Conditioning
• Cruise Control

How intuitive is the 2012 Jeep Liberty’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment system available with the 2012 Jeep Liberty is basic and comes equipped with only a CD Player, satellite radio, and a six-speaker sound system. However, Jeep additionally provides a number of packages to improve the feature load. The Driver’s Convenience Package adds Bluetooth Connectivity, while the base Sport trim gets access to the Media Center 430 that adds a touchscreen surface, navigation system, and DVD Audio Playback. The Media Center 730 Package available with the higher level Limited and Limited Jet trims adds a Chrysler-sourced navigation system to the SUV. Some other infotainment features include:

• 10-speaker Infinity Sound System (available on all except the Sport trim)
• Memory Card Slot
• Mast Antenna
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• Steering-mounted controls
• AM/FM Stereo

The 2012 Jeep Liberty looks rugged, muscular, and robust, attributes you’d often find in an SUV that vaunts off-roading as its primary strength. It is undeniably boxy in its appearance but its flared fenders, imposing bumpers, and a seven-slate traditional grille make it look aggressive. Yet the design looks feel and could use a facelift to make it stand on par with its competitors. However, there is still a lot to like about the vehicle. It feels purposefully built with a rather flat rear-end that provides uncompromised visibility and both the head- and taillights feel subtle.

The 2012 Jeep Liberty wears a pair of 16-inch alloy wheels as standard. The roof rails and rear spoiler reassure the SUV stance and it stands fairly above the ground. Yet its ground clearance of 7.8 inches is the shortest in the segment. It is also the shortest in overall length measuring 176.9 inches. It is 72.3 inches wide and 71.3 inches tall and is smaller in proportions when compared to any of its rivals.

In comparison, the Mazda CX-7 sports the longest wheelbase of 108.3 inches, however, it is at least 7 inches shorter than its rivals in overall height. The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser on the other hand has the shortest wheelbase of 105.9 inches but it sports the highest ground clearance of 8.7 inches. The Jeep and Nissan have similar wheelbases but the latter is larger in all other dimensions and is also the heavier option amongst the two.

Some of the salient exterior features include:

• Arctic Special Edition Package
• Sunroof
• Skid Plates
• Fog Lamps
• MOPAR Exterior Appearance Package
• All-terrain/performance tires

The 2012 Jeep Liberty is multi-faceted and a comprehensive safety system allows it to justify the claim. It is safe and reliable and the IIHS’ ratings of “Good” in a majority of aspects only aid in improving its safety quotient. Though it has not been tested by the NHTSA, the standard safety features including front and rear airbags, antilock disc brakes, and stability control among others reassure the buyer of their choice.

Some other standout safety features available with the 2012 Jeep Liberty include:

• Brake Assist
• Child Safety Locks
• Dusk Sensing Headlamps
• Engine Immobilizer
• Emergency Brakeforce Distribution
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

The 2012 Jeep Liberty faces a hard time proving its worth in an utterly competitive segment. While it does lead in terms of towing capacity and off-roading capabilities, Jeep fails to tap into the utilitarian nature of the SUV. It feels heavy to drive, lacks feedback, and its rough driving dynamics are a hiccup in its performance. Furthermore, it is less efficient than its rivals and comes equipped with a lackluster cabin and a basic infotainment system. On the outside it looks old-fangled and with no major points of contestation to support its cause, we’d recommend looking out for the Mazda CX-7 over the Jeep.