Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Jeep® Liberty Wins Northwest Auto Writers SUV of the Year Award

by Staff
November 8, 2001
2 min to read


The all-new 2002 Jeep® Liberty has won the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) SUV of the year award. Association members announced that Jeep Liberty earned "Economy SUV of the Year," besting the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Nissan Xterra and Subaru Outback Sport at this eighth annual NWAPA competition in Olympia, Wash. "We're thrilled that the Northwest Automotive Press Association named the all-new Jeep Liberty as the Economy Segment winner in their annual competition," said Tom Marinelli, vice president - Chrysler/Jeep Global Brand Center, DaimlerChrysler Corp. "As the newest addition to the Jeep brand's 'go anywhere, do anything' lineup, the Liberty's combination of on-road refinement and legendary off-road capability is unmatched by any SUV on the road today." Competition judges said they liked the Jeep Liberty's outstanding design, acceleration off the line, off-road assurance and innovative swing gate system. The two-day competition, popularly known as "Mudfest," featured nearly 20 NWAPA automotive journalists putting 26 competitors through rigorous tests at Bremerton Speedway and Thurston County Off-Road Vehicle Park. Journalists thoroughly tested and judged the vehicles, scoring them in categories for overall design, comfort and convenience, production quality, cornering ability, ride and handling, braking, on- and off-road performance, value for the dollar and personal appeal. The Liberty was introduced as a 2002 model featuring a new 210 horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 SOHC 12-valve engine which is the most powerful in its class, according to Jeep. Liberty also features a patented single-action swing gate/flipper glass system for quick access to the cargo area which Jeep says is unlike anything on the market today.

More Small Fleet

Cover of a whitepaper titled “The Hidden Costs of Departmentally Assigned Vehicles on Your Fleet” featuring a black fleet vehicle driving on a road at sunset. Subheadline reads: “Discover how your fleet can reduce costs and minimize risk by implementing vehicle sharing.” The document focuses on fleet optimization, vehicle sharing, cost reduction, utilization tracking, and risk management for fleet operations.
SponsoredMay 13, 2026

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools

Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 9, 2026

Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections

AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 1, 2026

Report: How AI Is Reshaping Fleet and Field Service Operations

AI is moving beyond the back office and into the driver’s seat of work truck and field service operations. New research shows fleets are using AI to improve predictive maintenance, optimize dispatch and routing, reduce downtime, and boost technician productivity, while also tackling challenges around workforce adoption and data readiness. Discover the trends, technologies, and real-world use cases shaping the future of connected work truck fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SafetyFebruary 4, 2026

Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries

There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 14, 2026

It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report

What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.

Read More →
Wreaths Across America graphic highlighting the role of small fleets in delivering wreaths to honor veterans, featuring wreath icons and the American flag.
Small Fleetby Lauren FletcherDecember 8, 2025

Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America

Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A stressed person covers their face, illustrating that 65% of small fleet managers handle all operations alone, according to a Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) survey.
Small Fleetby StaffNovember 12, 2025

VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone

A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.

Read More →
Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safetyby StaffOctober 20, 2025

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
VMS Co-CEO David Prusinski highlights the company’s AI-powered virtual fleet manager designed to improve uptime and reduce operating costs for fleets.
Green Fleetby Lauren FletcherOctober 6, 2025

AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski

VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of tire tracks and winter scenes.
Small FleetMay 24, 2025

Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!

Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.

Read More →