Topic: CD Article: Jeep Liberty, 2002-2007

[Autos_Editor]

         
Used Vehicle Review:


Despite so-so reliability ratings, the Jeep Liberty would be a solid choice in a used SUV, says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase "The basic mechanicals - engine and transmissions - appear to be robust," he says.
 More:  | All the Used Vehicle Reviews

[Flinter]

Several times I have considered buying a used Liberty as a Winter/Utility vehicle. The compact size of the vehicle makes it attractive for day to day urban/suburban driving, but yet it can tow 5000lbs when equipt with the Auto. It also has some real off-road capabilities compared to other compact SUV's.

Based on a quick search in Autotrader, 10-12K gets you a 05-06 model, a similar price range gets you a 03-04 Pathfinder,  02-03 Highlander/4Runner/Rav4, a 02-03 Honda CRV, or a 04-05 Subaru Forestor. At this point I usually get stuck trying to figure what would be the best overall choice. I think the Pathfinder or 4Runner would be the most comparable to the Liberty in terms of capabilities.

Would a newer Liberty be a better choice than a Pathfinder or 4Runner that are 2-3 years older?? My gut tells me no but I'd be interested to hear from those who have more experience with the Liberty.

[johngenx]

I like the look of the Liberty and have checked them out on a few occasions, but their fuel economy in relation to their size is not good.  The gas fours are rare, and don't really offer much better economy anyway.  The CRD's do well, but are rare and expensive used.

It also seems that a good many of them were sold with the true part-time 4WD and not the more versatile unit that allows an AWD usage, which I greatly prefer in the city.

However, for real off-roading, the Jeeps are near the top in capability, so if you really need it, it would seem to be a good choice.  The Grand Cherokee is awful in terms of build quality, so the Liberty looks like the one to find if you want a Jeep with four real seats.

[Shnak]

While I prefer the X-Terra, I've always liked the Liberty. Fuel economy is worse than the CR-V's of the world, but then it's a real SUV that can pull more than its own weight. Compared to other real SUVs of similar size like the X-Terra and Sorento (both slightly bigger I think), it doesn't fare too badly for fuel economy I think.

Up to a couple of years ago, this was one of the very few domestic vehicles I would have ever considered owning... and that remains true today.

[safristi]

...Give me Liberty OR give me death.............................ya takes yer choice..............the few rentals I have had were smooth around town BUT "JOUNCY/JUMPY/HARSH" on the Hi_way....opposite of wot i expected..musta been "tuned" for the commuter slow set...and the Gas Mileage woz abysmal..................like the looks tho'

[Ontariodriver]

Is there any Dodges that are reliable is more the question. 

Who'd want a Jeep that would be only So So.

[mrthompson]

[Rupert]

I was thinking about one of these for a small trailer tow vehicle...the latest model which has a bolder look to it. The salesman said that it was the front wheels that were driven in two wheel drive mode which did not seem good to me for towing. I thought that just 2 wheels driving would be ok mostly when towing if the two were the rear wheels. Anyway we anded up buying a Caravan with the tow package which works fine, so that the Liberty would have been alright with front two wheel drive and would have had a higher tow rating.
There is less room inside the Liberty though and the huge space consuming tunnel was offputting. We only get around 17 mpg when towing in the Caravan...mostly in 5th gear and I think it might be possible that the Liberty would get around the same when towing a similar load. It sounds like the Caravan is a much more comfortable ride though which is good for long trips.

[kardood69]

I was thinking about one of these for a small trailer tow vehicle...the latest model which has a bolder look to it. The salesman said that it was the front wheels that were driven in two wheel drive mode which did not seem good to me for towing. I thought that just 2 wheels driving would be ok mostly when towing if the two were the rear wheels....

Doh, that salesman is wrong wrong wrong!  Compass/Partriot maybe, but not Liberty.

[mrthompson]

Liberty is RWD in 2WD mode.  However, the front driveshaft spins even in 2WD.

You should not tow in overdrive (5th gear).

[tpl]

Liberty is RWD in 2WD mode.  However, the front driveshaft spins even in 2WD.

You should not tow in overdrive (5th gear).

Why not?    Is this for manual or automatic?

[mrthompson]

Automatics.  It stresses the overdrive bands/clutch packs.

We only get around 17 mpg when towing in the Caravan...mostly in 5th gear...

5 speed auto.

[Rupert]

The Caravan SXT is a six speed automatic with autostick. The manual recomends towing in 5th speed. There is no way of notching out of 5 overdrive I think. But this is off thread I know.

[rrocket]

My neighbour had a diesel Liberty.  Absolutely loved it....except the tranny gave him many, many problems.  He even chunked the flywheel on one occasion....

[mrthompson]

D'oh!  I assumed your Caravan had a 5 speed auto.