Long-Term Test Cars - December 2005

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• new cars
• Chevrolet
• Porsche
• Subaru
• Scion
• Jeep
• Harley-Davidson
• motorcycles
• long-term test cars
• science

• CHEVROLET COBALT SS SUPERCHARGED
• PORSCHE CAYENNE S
• SUBARU OUTBACK
• SCION xB
• HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD KING CUSTOM (FLHRS), Web only

First Report

Jeep Liberty Sport CRD
When we tested a Jeep Liberty CRD against a Ford Escape Hybrid a year ago ("Diesel vs. Hybrid," Feb. 2005, page 60), they were the only two compact SUVs you could buy that weren't powered solely by gas engines. Since then, the ranks of hybrids have mushroomed. But the little Liberty still stands as the only smallish diesel-powered SUV on the market, though there are several large ones.

During our test, we were all impressed with the Liberty's seemingly endless torque (typical of a diesel) and its civility (less typical). The engine's not particularly noisy, it starts right up, and there's little telltale smoke or stench. But we wondered what life would be like living with a small diesel SUV. And, honestly, we were curious why it's still one of a kind. Now we're in the process of breaking in the vehicle. Initial observations: There's a lot of highway road and wind noise, but it sure is fuel frugal.--Don Chaikin

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