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New
2006 Jeep Cars
2006
Jeep Cherokee
2006
Jeep Commander
2006
Jeep Liberty
2006
Jeep Wrangler
New
2005 Jeep Cars
2005
Jeep Cherokee
2005
Jeep Liberty
2005
Jeep Wrangler
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2006 Jeep Liberty
Consumer Guide Rating: Recommended
Pros: Cargo room
Cons: Fuel economy
2006 Jeep Liberty Specifications
Also Consider the following best buys:
Ford Escape: Honda
CR-V:
Mazda Tribute: Mercury
Mariner
Also consider the following vehicle recommendations:
Honda
Element:
Hyundai
Tucson:
Kia Sportage: Subaru Forester
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New 2006 Jeep Liberty
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| 2006 Jeep Liberty Highlights |
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"Jeep's 4-dr compact SUV gains an antiskid system for 2006, but drops its 4-cyl gas engine. Liberty is a 5-seat wagon that has a swing-open tailgate with separate-opening glass window and exterior spare tire. A 210-hp V6 is now standard. Optional is a 160-hp 4-cyl turbodiesel. The V6 offers a 6-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic. The turbodiesel comes only with a 5-speed automatic. All models offer rear-wheel drive or a choice of two 4WD systems, both with low-range gearing. Jeep's Command-Trac 4WD should not be left engaged on dry pavement. Selec-Trac 4WD can be left engaged on dry pavement. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, previously optional, are now standard, as is the new-for-'06 antiskid/traction-control system. Head-protecting curtain side airbags with rollover deployment are optional. Other available features include navigation system, satellite radio, sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and Chrysler's UConnect, which uses the audio system as a hands-free wireless link to cell phones."
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| 2006 Jeep Liberty News |
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"A ""restyled and re-engineered"" Liberty
is said to be on for 2008, but we think that means ""full redesign"" on a
new platform. If the latter, it's unclear whether it would relate to
the redesigned Wrangler or to Jeep's new car-based crossover wagon,
both scheduled for 2007.
The crossover will actually be a pair of wagons
that will replace Wrangler as the entry-level Jeeps. Both are related
to Dodge's upcoming Caliber replacement for the Neon compact car, sharing
a basic platform engineered by Chrysler's longtime Japanese affiliate,
Mitsubishi. Sources say the Jeeps will most likely be called Compass, but
Patriot and Scout are also rumored. Whatever the name or names, each version
will target a somewhat different audience. The so-called MK49, like Caliber,
will be a sporty youth-oriented design a la Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, with
4-cyl power and available all-wheel drive. It reportedly aims at the likes
of the Subaru Forester. The sister MK74 has a taller, SUV-like profile
and a slightly longer wheelbase as a rival to Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota
RAV4 and such. We understand the MK49 starts production in July 2006,
four months after Caliber, with MK74 cranking up that September. Significantly,
these will be the first Jeeps not designed with off-roading as a top
priority.
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| 2006 Jeep Liberty Competition |
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"Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle
into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Among
utility vehicles, Compact SUVs are the least costly and offer the best fuel
economy. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty,
off-road use. Nearly all are five-passenger vehicles.
Our Best Buys include
Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda Tribute, and Mercury Mariner. Our Recommended
picks are Honda Element, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Liberty, Kia Sportage, and
Subaru Forester.
Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Rav4 are new or significantly
redesigned."
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| 2006 Jeep Liberty Write Ups |
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Acceleration
"Automatic-transmission V6 acceleration good off the line, but is labored in
highway merging or passing; takes deep stab at throttle to coax a downshift.
No opportunity yet to test with manual transmission. From a stop, turbodiesel
very slow for first 10-ft, then picks up quickly for good acceleration, though
passing power weak above 60 mph. Liberty's 5000-lb towing capacity among highest
of all compact SUVs. "
Value
"Liberty's on-road behavior is less carlike than that of its top competitors,
but it has better off-road ability than most in the compact-SUV class. Overall,
it's capable, solid, and competitively priced, earning it our Recommended label. "
Ride
"Not overly firm on bumps, though big ruts and ripples mean a jiggly but not
uncomfortable ride. Some noticeable rocking-horse motions and annoying side-to-side
swaying."
Noise
"V6 exhaust note intrusive under full throttle. Turbodiesel clatters loudly at
idle and during acceleration, and is almost always audible. Perhaps best-in-class
isolation from unpleasant body resonance, but noticeable high-speed wind rush.
Tires sing on coarse surfaces. One test model's Selec-Trac emitted gear whine."
Comfort - Front
"Fine head, leg room. Seats set unusually high for commanding view of road. Narrow
passenger footwell."
Comfort - Rear
"Lots of head clearance. Leg room OK. Footwell shape uneven, but good toe space
under front seat. Step-in higher than Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda Tribute,
but not excessive. Door openings narrow. "
Controls
"Large, legible gauges. Low-set audio and climate controls a little far from
driver, but generously sized, clearly labeled. UConnect easy to use and allows
drivers to keep both hands on steering wheel. Interior has sturdy-feeling materials,
numerous padded surfaces."
Cargo Room
"With rear seat up, bay is wide and tall, but not long. Seat sections easily
fold in one motion to form nearly flat load floor, but headrests need to be removed
if front seats are set more than halfway back. Folded seatbacks expose brackets
on cargo-bay walls that intrude into load space. Swing-open tailgate takes getting
used to. Its window pops fully open via remote keyfob or pull of tailgate handle,
but awkward reach into cargo hold undercuts that convenience."
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| 2006 Jeep Liberty Warranty Information |
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Bumper-to-Bumper
"yr 3; mi 36,000; N/A"
Corrosion
"yr 5; mi 100,000; N/A"
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Road-side Assistance
"yr 3; mi 36,000; N/A"
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| 2006 Jeep Liberty Rebate |
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$1500 cash back or 0%-2.9% financing.: 03/31/2006
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