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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  great SUV - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Al - January 23 - 3:43 am

  Real solid SUV ride you can feel the quality of Jeep reputation. Interior is comfortable and classy. Got me out of a lot of snow clogged spaces.

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  Sky slider from h*ll - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By CDigby - January 20 - 10:36 am

  Bought my Jeep Liberty Dec. 2007 when sky slider had had just come out and I knew I had to have one! Only one on the lot was fully loaded and I paid almost $35k. Since I bought it Ive brought it to the dealership at least 7 times for problems with the Sky Slider LEAKING! Each time they say they dont know why its doing that and each time they tell me its fixed when I leave but now Im continuing to have problems with it leaking! Now that it has permanently ruined my interior roof cloth I am going to pursue Chrysler to take this nightmare of a car back because this was the biggest waste of money to have to worry every time it rains how wet the interior will get!

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  Nice Fun Buy - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By blacksan - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Flew Up to Maryland, Picked it up, Drove it back to Georgia. Went through 5:00pm D.C. Traffic, Cut Throat Mall Parking, Sloppy Highway Construction, Bored Trucked Drivers, High Speed swarm of Crotch-Rockets. and Muddy Virgina Gas Stations. To Sum it up, I LOVED it. The Renegade drives nice in all types of weather. Slammed on breaks a lot due to the non-jeep drivers not paying attention. The Normal 12 hours trip took over 23.5 hours because I was having fun. I would recommend ANYONE who thinks that a 2003 Toyota RAV4 is a better Buy should try out any Renegade. It feels safe, it feels heavy not plastic, and the seats are high off the ground.

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  Give me death or give me Liberty - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By samdog - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Nice little car...Jeep seems to be a good value for the money. Been back because of some bad engineering...other than that no complaints.

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  This Jeep looks timid, but its not - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Walsh - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Just bought my 2004 Liberty and I can say I am not disappointed. My wife drives a Ford Expedition and the Liberty looks like it could fit in the back seat. However, the interior is bigger that I imagined. I am 65" and weigh 260 lbs and I have plenty of room and power with this new SUV as any of the others that I test drove.

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  A Real Combination of SUV/Car Like Feel - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By JVG - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Great looks, comfort, fun to drive. I test drove several mini-SUVs and this was the best one on the market, with the exception of gas mileage. The Liberty handles well and glides down the rode. The interior styling is innovative and unique with the two tone color, white instrument panel and chrome accents. Adequate storage with the exception of sun glass holder. The overhead console is nice, but outside temperature reading is 5 degrees high all the time. On my old Grand Cherokee it was always accurate.

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  This car could be better. - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By the_nme - December 20 - 7:39 pm

  Although, you cant go wrong with a Jeep, this Jeep can seriously be better. First off, how does a small Liberty waste as much gas as a Grand Cherokee? You would expect such a small car to waste so little, but its a gas guzzler. The radio can use improvement. No MP3 input whatsoever. The sound system can also sound a little better. It also wouldnt hurt to make easier cleaning seats. Once stained, good luck cleaning it off. The one thing I do love about this car though, is the way it handles. It maneuvers so smoothly! Oh, and I havent had a problem with the windows.. ever, as I see this is a main issue here.

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  Love my Jeep! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Rose - December 15 - 1:03 pm

  I am 6 tall - adequate head room and leg room (used to drive a Ford Explorer). Feel like I am in a larger SUV - can see above cars ahead. Nice handling. Little bit bumpy on rough road surfaces, but satisfactory or better. Buzzing noise obvious when front windows cracked, but back windows up. Have to open back windows a crack too. All in all, I love my Jeep Liberty and am a very happy owner!

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  2005 Jeep Renegade 4x4 - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Marc - December 9 - 7:36 pm

  I bought this because of the incentives at the time - 0.0% financing for 5 years PLUS $2500 rebate. Its early miles still and happily no problems to report. After being stuck in traffic for hours the seat became uncomfortable as most seats do. Drove through thunderstorms very confidently - nice to have security of Selec-Trac AWD. There is less road noise than I expected and braking is adequate considering how heavy it is. All that said, if price were the same, I would go for an Xterra for my specific needs, mostly because of Nissan reliability, but also the more aggressive style and the more powerful engine.

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  310,000kms - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By dsantin - November 29 - 8:55 pm

  Still going strong 310,000 kms. Live in heavy snow belt, rusty Ontario- rural. 4x4 excellent-- never stuck- plenty of confidence in snow and mud. Have used in mud, lagoons, ditches, snowy farmer fields, towing, fording water-- works well. Unexpected good manners and ride on highway. MPG fair. Roomy versatile interior. Starts/ runs very well-- NO RUST? Did not get skyroof-- you guys that got it and have problems- shame- This was a first year North American redesign-- ant1icipate problems with gimmicks. Some little things-- blower gone at 300,000- so what! Rear liftgate hinge thing- broke but found replacement at junkers for $400. Differential rear troubles after 180k