The Jeep Liberty is a four-door unibody compact SUV built by Jeep for the 2002–2012 model years over two generations, the KJ and the KK. Outside North America it was sold as the Jeep Cherokee. It replaced the Cherokee XJ, sat between the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee in price, and was the smallest of Jeep’s four-door SUVs until the Compass and Patriot arrived for 2007.
Jeep Liberty at a glance
| Maker | Jeep (Chrysler) |
|---|---|
| Production | 2002–2012 |
| Generations | KJ 2002–2007, KK 2008–2012 |
| Sold as | Jeep Cherokee outside North America |
| Replaced | Jeep Cherokee XJ |
| Construction | four-door unibody |
| Built | Toledo North, also Egypt and Venezuela |
| KJ engines | 2.4 L 150 hp, 3.7 L V6 210 hp, 2.8 L VM diesel 2005–2006 |
| KK engine | 3.7 L V6 only |
| KJ trims | Sport, Renegade, Limited; Latitude from 2007 |
| Towing, KK | 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) |
| End of production | August 2012 |
History of the Jeep Liberty
The KJ of 2002
The Liberty replaced the discontinued Cherokee XJ and its styling was inspired by the Dakar and Jeepster concept vehicles. It was the first Jeep to use rack-and-pinion steering and the first to use the new PowerTech engines: a 2.4 litre four of 150 hp, dropped in 2006, and a 3.7 litre V6 of 210 hp, alongside a short-lived 2.8 litre VM Motori turbodiesel sold in 2005 and 2006. It was also the first Jeep with independent front suspension since the 1963–1965 Wagoneer. Three trims were offered at first, Limited, Renegade and the base Sport, all available with two- or four-wheel drive. A minor facelift came in 2005, when the Renegade and the 2005 Rocky Mountain Edition received a flat bonnet and a taller grille; in 2007 the Renegade was replaced by the Latitude, which lost that bonnet and grille. The Liberty was nominated for North American Truck of the Year for 2002.
The KK of 2008
The Liberty was redesigned for 2008 and sold alongside the closely related Dodge Nitro. With the smaller Patriot and Compass available for economy-minded buyers, the four-cylinder engine was dropped and the iron-block, aluminium-head V6 became the only choice. Towing capacity was 5,000 lb. Jeep withdrew the Liberty CRD from the American market because the diesel could not meet the tougher 2007 emissions standards, and the gearboxes were carry-overs, a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Electronic stability control with roll mitigation, traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and side airbags were standard, while rain-sensing wipers, satellite radio, Bluetooth, navigation and the MyGig entertainment system with a 30 GB hard drive were optional. A rare two-wheel-drive version was sold as the Jet. Production ended in August 2012, and the Liberty was replaced by the new Cherokee.
Design and features
- Rack-and-pinion steering: a first for a Jeep, on the KJ.
- PowerTech engines: the 2.4 four and 3.7 V6 were new with the KJ.
- Independent front suspension: the first Jeep so equipped since the 1963–1965 Wagoneer.
- Diesel option: the 2.8 litre VM turbodiesel of 2005–2006, dropped in the United States after 2007.
- Safety equipment: stability control, side airbags and brake assist on the KK.
Jeep Liberty versions
- Liberty KJ (2002–2007): the first generation, sold as the Cherokee abroad.
- Liberty KK (2008–2012): the second generation, twinned with the Dodge Nitro.
- Renegade (2002–2006): the off-road trim with a flat bonnet and taller grille.
- Latitude (2007): the replacement for the Renegade.
- Jet: the rare two-wheel-drive KK version.
The Liberty sits between the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee, replaced the Cherokee XJ and made room for the Compass and Patriot below it. More models are in the Jeep collection.
Video: Jeep Liberty off road
Video by Going Off Grid on YouTube.
Sources
- Jeep Liberty, English Wikipedia: both generations, engines, trims, production
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