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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  We Love our Libby - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By ourlibby - December 24 - 9:11 pm

  We bought our Libby new and have never had any trouble with it. She has always gotten us to where we want to go and back home. We will never part with our Libby.

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  08 Liberty Limited - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By silverado - December 23 - 8:13 am

  Like the looks of it. Traded in a Honda Element for it, but not sure if it was such a good trade. Has been in the shop a number of times for numerous things: leaking back window, ticking steering wheel when turning it sharply, leaking skyslider roof, noisy skyslider roof, brake issues, transmission issues. If I had known all of this would not have traded in my Element....regret it. Will more than likely go back to an Element again soon.

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  I like this thing! - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By bmwone - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Ours is an early build and were happy with everything but the mileage. Even thats not terrible for a 4WD SUV. We are both 58" or shorter, with an 8 year old boy. It works well for us. My wife likes the height of the vehicle and the corresponding ease of seeing out.

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  Whats that noise? - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By Claudia Patrick - December 19 - 1:53 am

  Ive had the Jeep Liberty for about 2 weeks. Before this I had driven a Rodeo. It feels a little more stable than the Rodeo, but the Rodeo had a lot more leg room for both the front and back seats. When you sit in the Liberty, your legs go straight down--you have little room to stretch out your legs, which could be frustrating during a long drive. One of the first things I noticed was that it hardly has a dashboard. I also test-drove the Jeep Patriot, but that was a 4-cylinder and the steering wheel was disturbingly small. Between the Pathfinder and Xterra, the Jeep Liberty feels more like the Pathfinder. The Liberty drives more smoothly than the Xterra.

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  Just took delivery today - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By stewalaska - December 18 - 5:46 am

  I just got back from rooting around in the Alaskan snow in my new Jeep! I gotta tell ya....this is one impressive off-roader. My Liberty is such a nice change from driving a boring vehicle. I traded a 1995 Pathfinder in on the Liberty, and also have a 01 Outback that does great in the snow, but neither can compete with this machine, especially in the deep, rough stuff. It is obviously too early to give a "real" review since it still has only 100 miles on it, but it got a breaking in this afternoon! Time will tell...

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  6 weeks 3 visits to the shop already - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By bmorris01 - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I love the Liberty, its design is great. It handles great. However, My Liberty is NOT reliable. I bought an 03 model with 27 miles on it, and it has been in the shop 4 times so far. The first two times were for transmission problems. The 3rd and 4th time were for a blinker light that would not stop flashing. The fuel economy is like that of a large SUV also - very disappointing.

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  Please stay away from this vehicle - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By Andrew - December 13 - 4:13 pm

  I felt obligated to write a review when I saw the average rating for this vehicle was 8.2. At best this is a below average vehicle. At worst this ranks as one of the worst vehicles of all time. I feel I can provide an honest assessment since this is a company car and I am not tied to it financially. This was obviously an ill conceived car. I am 5’11”. On long trips my right leg cramps because the transmission housing protrudes too far laterally into the foot space. I get 20 mpg, which is bad for a small slow vehicle. The seats stain with water, seriously. There have been several recalls. Also, an odd "clicking" noise emanates from the from airbag area (dealer says this is normal).

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  Love It - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Nate - December 9 - 9:36 am

  So far, it has been great. Its fun to drive. It has enough power for merging onto the interstate or mucking around on dirt roads. Ive taken it on roads trips, had in deep in the country, and Ive used it to go to formal parties downtown.

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  Piece of Junk - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By jpf - December 9 - 9:20 am

  After 75,000 miles, I had to replace the transmission at a cost of nearly $3000. One would think you could get just a little more mileage than that. The water pump went out at 58,000 miles. Just in time to be covered by the warranty. A lot of rattling which is typical of Jeeps as they age. Goes good in the snow, which is what Im going to use it for now. But wouldnt buy another one for everyday commuting.

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  Finally Have My Liberty! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Jeep Liberty Sport - December 7 - 4:46 am

  I love my new 2005 Liberty Sport, and the black clearcoat looks awesome!! After my saturn was totaled in an accident, I am now so grateful and fortunate to own my Jeep Liberty. I have been waiting months and doing my research, which had me stuck between the Toyota RAV4 and the Liberty, both my dad and sister have a Liberty. They are an incedibly well built SUV, that can get through any terrain. I live in a mountain area next to Lake Tahoe, where an SUV really needs to do what it claims, and hands down, the Liberty has the best 4X4 system in its class, and looks the best too! I did not feel as safe in the RAV4, the choice was easy!!!