The Jeep Liberty is an oldie but a goodie, as some might say. This five-passenger off-road SUV was part of the market for a decade.
During the decade it was offered, the Liberty saw two generations, delivering impressive on and off-road driving qualities in an affordable SUV. When new, this SUV offered a wide price range, which made it easy to have a Jeep that offered everything desired. If you’re looking for a fantastic used off-road SUV, consider the Jeep Liberty. Let’s learn a little more about what it brought to the market.
The Liberty took over for the Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee name dates back to the 1990s, but it disappeared for a time when the Liberty was part of the mix. The idea was to use the best features o the Cherokee and put them in the Liberty, which was sold in the United States.
Although the Liberty was only offered for a decade, it brought several impressive features and upgrades to satisfy various driving, comfort, and convenience needs. Here’s what the Liberty offered through the years:
2003
Only one year after it appeared, the 2003 Liberty added a six-disc CD player, all-wheel brakes, additional safety features, and a tachometer. These upgrades made this Jeep SUV more enjoyable on and off the roads.
2004
The 2004 Jeep Liberty included interior grab handles (many of us have a different name for these handles), a tire pressure monitoring system, and hands-free cell phone connectivity. New trim levels were added to give this SUV added exterior items, including the optional sunroof and fog lights.
2005
The 2005 model brought several upgrades to this Jeep SUV. Some of these include the addition of a diesel powertrain, a new grille, improved fog lights, better side molding, and fender flares. The cabin received a better gauge cluster and a new six-speed manual transmission.
2007
The 2007 model year saw Jeep delete some of what had been added in 2004. The 2007 Liberty lost the Renegade trim and the diesel engine.
2008
The second generation of the Jeep Liberty was born in 2008, which brought with it a new design, higher-quality materials, a 4WD system, and an optional sunroof. This new model also came with a lifetime powertrain warranty.
2010
The 2010 version of this Jeep SUV gives us the reemergence of the Renegade trim. (Jeep can’t seem to make up its mind)
2011
The Liberty received infotainment upgrades and an improved steering wheel for the 2011 model year. This model was one of the most advanced versions of the Liberty.
2012
The final model year for the Liberty might not have had many upgrades but did bring in the Jet and Arctic trim levels. This final version also added parking sensors to the safety equipment.
After the 2012 model year was over, the Liberty was gone, and the Cherokee name returned to the market. The Jeep Cherokee continues to occupy this compact crossover SUV position in the Jeep lineup.
What made the Liberty special?
The Jeep Liberty was the first vehicle in the lineup to use rack and pinion steering and PowerTech engines. These engines included a 2.4-liter gas model, a 2.8-liter diesel, and a 3.7-liter V6. This SUV was also the first model since the 1960s Wagoneer to use an independent front suspension.
The second generation Liberty brought the boxy Jeep shape that became a favorite for Jeep SUVs going forward. The new 2008 model also saw the deletion of the 4-cylinder engine, which meant owners had to use the V6 engine, but that also meant a more capable SUV with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
Some of the impressive equipment offered for the second-gen Jeep Liberty included:
- Electronic stability control
- Anti-lock brakes
- Side airbags
- Sirius satellite radio
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- MyGig entertainment system
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Traction control
- Roll mitigation
Was the Liberty a safe Jeep SUV to drive?
Over the past several years, the NHTSA and IIHS have had to incorporate stricter requirements to earn top honors. The early models of the Liberty were tested and received good safety ratings, but this SUV was not retested after the NHTSA updated its requirements. The IIHS retested the Liberty, and it fell to “marginal” for side impact and “acceptable” for rear impact tests.
The Jeep Liberty was a useful small off-road SUV that lasted a decade when the Cherokee wasn’t part of the Jeep SUV lineup. If you’re looking for a good pre-owned Jeep SUV, the Liberty could be a name you find, and it can easily be a great option for your driving pleasure on and off the roads.
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