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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  Theres only one! - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Kelly99 - November 15 - 10:00 am

  I feel like alot of people get an SUV to just have one- If you watch Ford Commercials they show Explorers in the middle of the city- please thats not an SUV- The Liberty is a great OUTDOOR vehicle. Sure its great in the city- but its also nice when the weather is far from great, or the roads are slick.

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  Fun SUV with Great Value - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By DEMucha - November 7 - 5:23 pm

  I love driving this Jeep! It handles and brakes extremely well and is fun to drive. I have had no mechanical repairs with 80,000 miles. The paint was quick to chip though. The cost to own is very low. The cargo area is a bit small and fuel mileage is lower than it should be for a small SUV. For a $27,000 SUV, it was an excellent value. I would recommend this Jeep for small families with limited hauling or trailering needs.

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  I LOVE MY JEEP LIBERTY! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By John Watts - November 6 - 7:13 pm

  It is a great little SUV; fun to drive, plenty of room unless you have a lot of kids - Im retired. Handles well, lots of EXTRAS on mine: power sunroof, SIRIUS radio, 6 CD changer, AM/FM, display of tire pressure and lots more on the compass and temp computerized display. The V6 3.7 engine is plenty for this baby. I LOVE it ... and my last car was a Cadillac Eldorado, which I put 140K miles on. I cant say enough about my Jeep Liberty Limited.

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  Windows for Suckers - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By sha2tia5 - November 2 - 10:43 pm

  I too had issues with Windows I was lucky enough to get rid of my Jeep, all in the matter of two days the ac goes out and the two rear Windows would not go up after just getting the front driver side window fixed beginning of this year and and year before that the same rear window that just went out, I will never again purchase a Jeep!

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  Tough Enough - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By BD - November 1 - 1:06 pm

  What a great little truck. Itll do everything the big SUVs will and still fit nicely in your garage. My wife was t-boned in it and the full steel cage was the reason she walked away. Very safe, very comfortable, do anything, go anywhere vehicle.

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  Moms Day Gift - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Cormic97 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  My husband bought me this year for Mothers Day. I had done all of the research and looked at all of the SUVs out there. I trust the Jeep name, so went with the Liberty Sport. I LOVE LOVE LOVE driving it. It took a while to get used to being a bit higher up than I was in my old car...but so far so good. It is a HUGE gas hog...I am most suprised by how little a tank of gas goes. It steers easy, the CD player plays great...no skips over bumps. Love the tinted windows (and I had to be talked into that!) Kids seem to like sitting in it too. More room inside that it looks. Cant wait to take a road trip in it!

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  This is a great SUV - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By LongBeachCA - October 29 - 10:06 am

  We love our Jeep Liberty Sport. It is fun to drive, has proven reliable over 12,000 miles (not bad for an American car), and has a powerful engine. I like the styling, sound system and rather understated interior. This is a truck and has gutsy truck-like qualities. CRVs are slower and a little too wimpy. The RAV-4? Please, thats for sorority girls. Get the Liberty. Chrysler builds quality vehicles. My only complaints: the gas mileage is pretty poor and the seats could be slightly more comfortable.

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  no more Fords - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By BOB NOLAN - October 29 - 7:13 am

  I just purchased a brand new 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade. I needed a 4wd as Wisconsin winters are tough. Never had a 4wd; traded off my 2001 Sport Trac 2wd that ate up front tires and ball joints - was sharp but had to go This hopefully is the answer for my wife too. I like the 70,000 power train warranty . Rebate and trade allowance was good to put me behind the wheel.

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  excellent - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By ronangerard - October 27 - 10:00 am

  the best vehicle ever

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  02 Jeep Liberty Sport 4wd - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By David Pound - October 26 - 9:46 am

  A very strong and well-built vehicle. Rides nicely and can go off-road easily. Very useful in winter here where we have snow. No problems except ball joint recall.