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.