“Honey I shrunk the Commander”

Is it me or is anyone else having a hard time telling one Jeep product from the other? With seven Jeep models to choose from, only the Wranglers stand out as unique from the likes of Patriot, Commander, Grand Cherokee and Compass.

To be sure, it isn’t unintentional, capitalizing on the loosely stated slogan, “It’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand.” As for its second-generation Liberty: Mission accomplished.

The original Liberty went on sale in the fall of 2001 as a 2002 model, replacing Cherokee — the original four-door SUV which had been around for decades — and retiring the slab-sided boxy style with smooth edges and rounded corners.

For 2008 the new Liberty returns to the slab-sides and squared-off corners with looks that say, “Honey, I shrunk the Commander.” The signature seven-slot grille remains, in faux chrome on the Limited and body color on the Sport model, with the latter being the preferred look to this critic.

The new Liberty — which is built side by side on the same Toledo, Ohio, assembly line as the Dodge Nitro — has a two-inch longer wheelbase and 2.5-inch growth in overall body length and an extra inch in length over the previous model. Nitro is longer, so it isn’t an exact clone — but it’s close.

We like that Jeep fixed the spare tire under the vehicle and off the rear liftgate, which now flips up. The rear window opens separately for ease of tossing lighter items into the cargo area. The Liberty, however, doesn’t have the nifty pullout cargo floor that we liked so well on the Nitro, but there is a plastic storage bin under the cargo floor for extra gear.

Our biggest gripe about the exterior is the return of the ’60s-style door handles that incorporate the thumb-push button. The traditional lift and pull handle is so much easier to use when your hands are full of packages.

There’s also the new optional Sky Slider ($1200) fabric roof that power-slides open front to back, leaving a huge opening in the roof over both front and back seats. We’d like to test a Sky Slider-equipped Liberty in the hot summer months. Our guess is that it would allow too much heat — opened or closed — for comfort.

Inside the flat dash is almost flush with the windshield. Audio and climate controls are large and easy to use. Power-window switches have moved back to the door panels from the center console. The interior consists mostly of hard plastic surfaces, but that’s the same in all Jeep products. The steering wheel tilts but doesn’t telescope. Oddly, Jeep designers put grab handles for rear seat passengers but nothing up front, save for a handle just above the glove box rather than in the preferred location above the side window.

The seats are covered in the new YES Essentials fabric that resists stains, liquids and odors. Seats are comfortable but legroom is just adequate, less so in back. You can fold the front-passenger seat back flat to accommodate long items like skis or tent poles.

Just two models are offered: the Sport and up-level Limited. Both are available as either 4X2 or 4X4. We tested the Sport 4X4. The all-wheel drive engages via a dial in the center stack rather than a lever. Two trail-rated four-wheel drive systems are available: Command-Trac offers part-time, shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive and the new Selec-Trac II is full-time four-wheel drive.

Liberty also comes equipped with hill-descent control, which automatically and selectively applies the brakes on each wheel to gently descend steep, off-roading hills. Letting go of both the brake and gas pedals, it is a test of trust and courage the first time you use it, but the system works well.

There’s a feature called hill start assist for upgrades, which keeps the brakes applied briefly, preventing the Liberty from rolling backward, when the driver releases the brake pedal.

The same 3.7-liter 210-horsepower V-6 engine as last year is the lone choice for all 2008 models. Gone are the four-cylinder and diesel options from the previous generation. A six-speed manual shifter is standard; four-speed automatic is optional.

The new Liberty gives generally a smooth ride on paved surfaces, thanks to a new independent front and five-link rear suspension. It jounces slightly on uneven pavement and rough road surfaces and, due to its tall stance, is a little “tippy” on sharp cornering and curves.

Liberty is every bit worthy of its Trail Ratedâ designation. That means it has been designed to perform in five categories of off-road conditions: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording.

Standard safety gear includes front and side-curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, brake assist, tire pressure monitoring and warning system, LATCH-ready child seat anchor system and enhanced accident response system. Liberty earned the highest government rating of five stars in front and side impact crash tests.

We like the looks and utility of the new Liberty, and owners will find it unmatched for both on and off-road capabilities. Current Liberty owners will appreciate the improved ride, roomier interior, and nifty new options like the MyGIG audio system and niceties like the tire-free rear liftgate and safety features. But dismal fuel economy makes us wishing Jeep still offered the diesel and four-cylinder power plants.