The Jeep Liberty was a vehicle that was not long for this world. It has the space that small families long for in the popular but small SUV format. For that reason, many were saddened to see the model cease being manufactured. So, it can only be remembered fondly via memories with the vehicle or through purchases of used ones.
Since the demise of the Jeep Liberty was not too long ago, used dealer lots still have plenty of the units available for purchase. This means finding one is not hard. But, what kind of vehicle are they? And, what does one of them cost?
The Jeep Liberty history
There were two generations of the Jeep Liberty. The first was launched as a 2002 model year vehicle. It ran through 2007. At the time, it was the smallest Jeep in the legendary brands portfolio. It was hoped the entry-level off-road SUV would bring new buyers under the Jeep umbrella that had never considered the brand before. And, it did!
The first generation Jeep Liberty also had some variety in its offerings to attract new consumers. For example, the small SUV was made available with motivation from a four cylinder, a V6, and even a four cylinder turbo-diesel option. Moreover, each trim level was available in two wheel drive, not just four wheel drive. Trim levels could be found in the base Sport, mid-level Renegade, and the top-level Limited.
Picking up on the mild-success of the platform’s first generation, the Jeep Liberty was redesigned for its second generation. The second generation ran from 2008 through the 2012 model years. By this time, the small SUV party was getting very crowded by models from other automakers. So, the little Jeep had a significant competition. So, the second generation was an attempt to keep the Jeep ruggedability mystique along with the features that consumers were coming to expect in the growing class.
The second generation of the Jeep Liberty also faced something the nameplate had never done before, smaller Jeep branded vehicles. The manufacturer had launched the Compass and Patriot models. These were even smaller Jeeps, aimed at budget conscious consumers looking to cash-in on the legendary brand. So, needless to say, the Compass and the Patriot cannibalized some buyers from the second generation of the Liberty. The strong sales of the first generation would never materialize again for the redesigned vehicle.
The Liberty was a more boxy and slightly larger vehicle in its second generation. But, the revisions included more safety features to keep up with the competition. Since there were smaller Jeeps available, the Liberty lost its four cylinder options. The V6 was the only power choice for this generation of vehicle. Car and Driver would say of the vehicle that the second generation Liberty was an excellent off-road vehicle, but lacked the poise on-road of the competition.
What kind of vehicle are they - Reliability ratings
Edmunds has tracked consumer reviews for the Jeep Liberty and recorded those findings on a five-star system. The first generation vehicles garnered a 4.3 stars for the 2002 model year, 4.5 stars for 2003 model year, 4.6 stars for the 2004 model year, 4.4 stars for the 2005 model year, 3.8 stars for the 2006 model year, and 3.9 stars for the 2007 model year. Overall, that’s a 4.25 star performance.
The second generation of the Jeep Liberty also was also tracked by Edmunds. They found the 2008 model year to have 4.4 stars, while the 2009 had 4.3 stars, the 2010 model had 4.2 stars, the 2011 model had 3.7 stars, and the Liberty’s last year, the 2012 model came in at 3.8 stars. Overall, this generation came out a little weaker than its predecessor in ratings, although not by much. It has an average of 4.08 stars.
According to CarComplaints.com, an organization that tracks vehicle complaints, of all the years the vehicle was available, the 2006 Jeep Liberty was the most concerning model year. Consumers have reported problems ranging from window regulator issues to engine failure concerns. So, that’s a good thing to keep in mind if someone is actively searching for a used model.
The Jeep Market
The first generation Jeep Liberty (2002-2008) prices are pretty diverse. Keep in mind that these are almost twenty year old vehicles gauged at “Private Party” values, not retail. The base Sport trim for 2002 in “Good” condition is positioned starting around $1,700 with Kelly Blue Book. By comparison, the base Renegade package in “Good” condition is positioned at about $1,900. But, the 2008 model year, the last for the first generation is bringing between $2,000 for the base and about $3,000 for the Limited trim and on up to $4,500 depending on equipment and condition. So, overall, there’s not a lot of pricing variance for the first generation.
Likewise, the second generation pricing for the Jeep Liberty seems to be pretty broad. The 2008 model year, which is the beginning of the revised design, starts on a base Sport trim at about $3,700 according to Kelly Blue Book. The top trim, the Limited, comes in as high as $5,500 for a “Private Party” value. The last year of the Liberty was 2012. That model year, the base Sport trim commands a starting point of about $4,700. But the pricing could go as high as $7,100 for a Limited Jet trim depending on the condition of the vehicle and how it is equipped.
Should I buy a used Jeep Liberty?
As always, Buyer-Beware. Make sure to do due diligence when researching a vehicle to purchase. Test drives and mechanical reviews are always helpful in bringing peace of mind on what a person is really looking at, especially on a used vehicle. Nobody wants a money pit. So, ask questions or get help if necessary with the vehicle review.
Having said all that, if a small, four wheel drive vehicle is appetizing, then the Jeep Liberty might be just what the doctor ordered. The small SUV offers rugged capability in a package that is often perfect for a first time car purchaser. The Liberty is also reasonably priced right now so as to make it a good purchase for a daily driver, beater, or off-road project vehicle. However, keep in mind with your search that the 2006 model year was a troublesome year.