Overview & Reviews

Sold from 2002-'12, the Jeep Liberty was the successor to one of America's original compact SUVs, the Cherokee (which returned in 2014). True to its tough, capable Jeep lineage, the Liberty has considerable off-road capability, thanks to steep approach and departure angles and exceptional suspension travel and articulation. The Liberty was also rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, a robust figure for its class. These are qualities not found in most other small utility vehicles from this time period, which saw the rise of crossover SUVs optimized for the suburban lifestyle.

Demerits for the Jeep Liberty include a weak engine lineup, with sluggish acceleration and dismal fuel economy from both the four-cylinder and V6 engines offered over the years (the first generation's briefly optional diesel engine is impressively fuel-efficient, however). Interior quality and comfort are also lacking, and by today's standards, the Liberty's general lack of refinement leaves much to be desired.

User Reviews:

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  Get me to the train on time - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By RLB - September 25 - 8:13 am

  I researched alot of SUVs before I made my decision to purchase. I wanted the diesel but a limited number being a produced this year and I needed it to get thourgh the snow to work. The V6 power is great and manageable. The 4wd is great. I also liked the classic looks of the Renegade over the Sport or Limited.

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  Flawless - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By 71charger - September 21 - 7:53 pm

  Three years and nothing to fix, nothing to replace except the factory tires at just over 30k miles. Zero problems. A wonderful vehicle. It has handled all weather conditions beautifully, including a couple of nasty blizzards the first winter we owned it. We will definitely buy another one.

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  Just driving it! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By CAT - September 21 - 2:13 pm

  I love my jeep! This is my first Jeep and its not bad at all. It looks good, drives excellent and everybody I talk to wants one. I heard they dont hold their value and mines uses lots of gas which worries me. I may be forced in the 3rd year to trade it in for something bigger like a Jeep Cherekee or whatever. Will do homework next time before I buy for looks again! But overall its still worth the money I paid and I still would buy it again. I love it! Heading for the web site next to book the summer Jeep tour this year if its available, see you there!

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  Best Jeep Yet! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By mbrewer - September 21 - 9:50 am

  I have owned 3 Cherokees and 3 Grand Cherokees. This is my first Liberty and I have to say it is the best one yet. It is the most fun to drive, great get up and go, much tighter than the Cherokees were, sits higher and turns sharper too. The 05 refresh is tasteful and the chrome accents give it an upscale look and feel. The leather seats are a huge notch above the Cherokee leather in quality and it has a very German feel to the interior. You can park this thing just about anywhere with a minium of fuss - paint is glossy and consistent, fittings are snug and properly aligned, controls are logical and content is very high for this price- a lot of Jeep for the money and a lot of fun at any price!

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  This SUV is ROCK SOLID! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By JP05FAN - September 20 - 10:00 am

  After owning a Jeep Cherokee for eight years, we decided to add another one to our garage. So we went out to test drive the Liberty Sport 4X4 and WOW were we impressed! Very Smooth (better than our sedan), braking was very good, acceleration was very fast and the engine was so quite (it never was loud or odd sounding). And since being a previous Jeep owner, we were suorised to find that the body roll was cut down to almost nothing! All and all this re- design of the 05 is very solid; and you feel that while drving it doesnt feel flimsy or cheap. And the funny thing is the same day we test drove it we came back later and ordered one!

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  Jeep Liberty a Winner - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By sdgreen - September 18 - 2:00 am

  The Jeep Liberty is one fine engineered vehicle. Engine is well designed and the entire package is suitable for both on road and off road. Overall superstructure is unique making the vehicle immediately identifiable. Main headlights and auxillary fog lights provide excellent forward lighting.

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  poor rear suspension - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By rough - September 18 - 2:00 am

  plenty of power from v6 but the goodyear wranglers that came on the liberty give very poor traction on anything but dry pavement. at about 8000 km. rear suspension started to bottom out even under light load by 10000km. it was so bad if you filled the gas tank it was enough to make it bottom out.

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  2X Jeep Owner - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By Julie - September 16 - 9:43 am

  This is by far an excellent ride. My previous vehicle was also a Liberty and what a difference. The 08 Liberty has much more room and also sits higher. Its a more stable, smooth ride and handles well in the snow even when its not in 4X4. The rear and front seat fold flat. The previous Liberty did not and also the front seats had to be pushed all the way forward in order for the seats to fold down. That is not the case with the 08 Liberty.

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  Love Liberty, why mechanical problems - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By Debbie - September 16 - 12:46 am

  Just purchase a used 2006 Liberty 6th Edition 2 weeks ago. Has only 23,000 miles. Has already been back to the dealership for repairs twice. Rotors were warped, and now a problem with the windows. I love the Liberty and style, but why so many mechanical problems? I should have learned from the 2002 Liberty I owned, transmission went bad at 80,000 miles, so I traded it and vowed never to buy a Liberty again, but here I go again.

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  Great Northern Vehicle but! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By John - September 9 - 2:26 am

  Ive owned this Jeep since new and its a lot of fun to drive and for the most of it my wife drives it to and from work a two miles total but after it turned 50,000 miles a lot of little things started to loosen up like the front fenders, shift knob etc. Had to replace the alternator twice and went through three batteries. It now has eighty thousand miles and had to have the transmission seals replaced and now the transfer case for the four wheel drive. So if I ever buy one again I will have to BUY the warranty extended plan but what a shame when other vehicles come with a 100 thousand mile and ten year warranty for free.