Jeep beefs up the new Liberty SUV while trimming the price

Jeep officials have performed a feat of alchemy. They've reduced the starting retail price of their revamped-for-2008 Liberty sport utility vehicle by nearly $1,300, even as they improved the Liberty's suspension, stance, styling, seats and features.

They've also given buyers control of the sky, with a new Sky Slider fabric roof that's the biggest sunroof in this sport utility vehicle segment. With the touch of a button, a driver can position the Sky Slider's acrylic material all the way back, so both front and rear passengers enjoy the sun. The Sky Slider's acrylic is reinforced cloth, like that used in convertible roofs, so it's weather- and leak-resistant. Option price starts at $1,060 and it's available even on the base Liberty.

Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price for the base model with two-wheel-drive is $20,990, down from the $22,260 starting price for a 2007 Liberty Sport. The lowest-priced 2008 Liberty sport utility with automatic transmission is a two-wheel-drive Sport with a $21,815 price tag. This compares with $23,085 for a base 2007 Liberty with automatic.

All 2008 Liberty SUVs come with a 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 that's largely a carryover from 2007.

Price isn't the only welcome news. The Liberty comes standard with side curtain air bags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and traction control. The previous Liberty had a nearly across-the-board five-out-of-five-stars rating from the federal government. The new Liberty test results aren't out yet.

The Liberty's exterior styling changes, which involve a more boxy, Jeep-heritage look, give the sport utility more appeal. The new styling is true to the vehicle's outstanding off-road capability, which wasn't fully reflected in the milder appearance of the old model.

Jeep fans will notice that the Liberty's spare tire isn't perched on the tailgate anymore. It has been tucked under the rear floor, improving rear visibility greatly.

Still, it can be difficult to see youngsters who might be right behind the rear end of the tall-riding Liberty, so drivers should check carefully.

They also should consider buying the optional ParkSense rear backup alert system that Jeep offers as part of its premium package for $2,295 on Liberty Limited models that start at more than $25,000.

The Liberty tailgate, by the way, no longer swings out and to the side like a big door. It's now a liftgate with a rear window that can flip upward. There's an additional 3.3 inches of cargo floor at the back of the Liberty, too, for a maximum cargo space behind the front seats that now measures 64.6 cubic feet.

The Liberty turning circle is exemplary at just 35.5 feet. This makes maneuvering on trails so much easier, but also takes some getting used to when a driver is making U-turns.

It's true the Liberty retains a small wheelbase of 106.1 inches. And this contributes to a jaunty up-and-down ride over highway expansion cracks and some bridge surfaces. But, overall, the ride is smoother than before.