Jeep Liberty

The Jeep Liberty, or Jeep Cherokee (KJ/KK) outside North America, is a compact SUV that was produced by Jeep for the model years 2002–2012 for US consumers. Introduced as a replacement for the Cherokee (XJ), the Liberty was priced between the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. It was the smallest of the 4-door Jeep SUVs until the car based 4-door Compass and Patriot arrived for 2007. Like the XJ Cherokee, the Liberty featured unibody-construction. It was assembled at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in the United States, as well as in other countries including Egypt and Venezuela. The Liberty ceased production on August 16, 2012. The next generation restored the previous nameplate of Jeep Cherokee that was always used outside of North America.

Jeep Liberty
2012 Jeep Liberty
Overview
Manufacturer
Also calledJeep Cherokee (however, they are different models)
Production2001[1]–August 21, 2012
Model years2002–2012
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassCompact SUV
Body style4-door SUV
LayoutFront-engine, Rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
RelatedDodge Nitro
Jeep Commander
Chronology
PredecessorJeep Cherokee (XJ)
SuccessorJeep Cherokee (KL)

First generation KJ (2002–2007)
2005–2007 Jeep Liberty. This model was produced between 2004 and December 2006.
Main article: Jeep Liberty (KJ)

Inspired by styling from the Dakar[3] and Jeepster[4] concept vehicles, the Liberty was intended as a replacement for the discontinued Jeep Cherokee. The Liberty also marked a few firsts for Jeep. It was the first Jeep vehicle to use rack and pinion steering.[5] It's also the first Jeep to use the two then-new PowerTech engines; the 150 horsepower (110 kW) 2.4 L straight-4, which was discontinued in 2006, and the 210 horsepower (160 kW) 3.7 L V6, as well as a short-lived 2.8 L VM Motori turbo diesel (2005-2006 only).[6] The Liberty was the first Jeep vehicle to use an independent front suspension since the 1963-1965 Jeep Wagoneer.[7]

Three trim levels were initially offered; the top end Limited, a more rugged looking Renegade and the base Sport. All were made available with either 2WD or 4WD. In 2005, all Liberties received a minor facelift. The 2005, 2006 Renegade and 2005 Rocky Mountain Edition Liberties received an exclusive flat hood and taller grille. In 2007, the Renegade trim level was replaced with the Latitude which appeared to focus more on an urban appearance and lost the Renegade trim's unique hood and grill. While the Liberty was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2002, complaints about Liberty styling and reliability persisted, in addition to safety recalls.[8][9][10][11][12]

Second generation KK (2008–2012)
2008–2012 Jeep Liberty
Main article: Jeep Liberty (KK)

The Jeep Liberty received a complete redesign for the 2008 model year with a more boxy look, like that of the 2007 Dodge Nitro, the latter of which lasted until its final production in December 2011. The 2008 Liberty debuted at the 2007 New York International Auto Show.[13]

With the smaller Patriot and Compass crossover SUVs now available to cater to economy conscious buyers, the four-cylinder engine was dropped from the Liberty's offerings. The iron-block, aluminum-head V6 was the only engine available for 2008. Towing capacity was 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg). Jeep discontinued the Liberty CRD for the American market because it could not meet tougher 2007 emissions standards for diesel engines. Transmission choices were both carry-overs: a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Standard equipment included electronic stability control with roll mitigation, traction control, and anti-lock brakes with brake assist. Jeep offered a rare 2WD version on the "Jet" model. New Features included standard side airbags. Optional features are rain-sensing wipers, Sirius Satellite Radio, Bluetooth, a navigation system, and the MyGig entertainment system complete with a 30GB hard drive.

Total U.S. sales
Calendar Year Sales
2001 69,420
2002 171,212
2003 162,987
2004 167,376
2005 166,883
2006 133,557
2007 92,105
2008[14] 66,911
2009[15] 43,503
2010[16] 49,564
2011[17] 66,684
2012[18] 75,483

Footnotes
  1. "Jeep Liberty (KJ)". jeepsonly.com. Archived from the original on 2001-07-25. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
  2. "Arab American Vehicles Co". Aav.com.eg. Archived from the original on 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  3. "Jeep Dakar Concept". Mojeepin.com. Archived from the original on 2006-05-08. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  4. "Jeep Jeepster Concept". MoJeepin.com. Archived from the original on 2006-05-08. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  5. "Jeep Liberty Steering". Allpar.com. 2005-05-15. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  6. Swan, Tony, Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 Diesel, Car and Driver, 1 Sept 2005, retrieved 25 April 2019: Renowned for its loud diesel 'clatter', and available only with automatic transmission, the 2.8L diesel was dropped in 2006 because of stringent new 2007 emissions regulations.
  7. "Bruce Rice's 1963 IFS Wagoneer 4x4". wagoneers.com. 2007-12-24. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
  8. DeMuro, Doug (December 2016). "Was the Jeep Liberty the Worst Redesign Ever?". Autotrader. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  9. Mays, Kelsey (27 July 2015). "Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep Recalls: What Owners Should Do". Cars.com. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  10. Wood, David A. (11 October 2017). "Ohio Woman Dies In Fiery Jeep Liberty Rear-End Crash". CarComplaints.com. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  11. "Recall 18V278000". RepairPal.com. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  12. Cramer, Rob (15 December 2018). "Jeep Vs Land Rover: 10 Best And 10 Worst Off-Road Vehicles". hotcars.com. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  13. "2008 Jeep Liberty Front Corner Photo". Automobilemag.com. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  14. "December 2008 Sales: Chrysler LLC". CheersandGears.com. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  15. "Chrysler Group LLC December 2009 Sales". CheersandGears.com. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
  16. "Chrysler Group LLC December 2010 Sales". CheersandGears.com. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
  17. "Chrysler sales shoot up 37% (26% for 2011)". allpar.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-10. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  18. "Chrysler Group LLC Reports December 2012 U.S. Sales Increased 10 Percent" (Press release). Chrysler Group LLC. 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2013-01-04.

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