The History of the Jeep Liberty

The Jeep Liberty was introduced in 2002. The company intended for it to replace the Jeep Cherokee model, providing new features like an upgraded interior while carrying forward the best features of the Cherokee, which was discontinued in the U.S. The first generation Jeep Liberty was produced from 2002 – 2007. It was inspired by the Dakar and Jeepster prototypes and introduced several firsts to the Jeep lineup, including the use of rack and pinion steering and PowerTech engines. It was also the first Jeep model since the 1963 – 1965 Jeep Wagoneer to incorporate an independent front suspension. In 2003, Jeep added several new features, among them a 6-disc CD player and some additional safety features, and in 2004, interior roof grab handles were added, as were new trim levels and several more minor changes. A diesel engine was introduced on certain trim levels in 2005, but was short-lived because it didn’t fit into new emissions regulations. The exterior was also updated that year with a new grille, fog lights, side moldings, and fender flares. For the 2008 model, Jeep completely redesigned the Liberty with a boxier, off-road look and V-6 engine that increased its towing capacity. The new design debuted at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. From 2009 – 2012, Jeep made small updates to each yearly model. The Jeep Liberty was ultimately discontinued on August 16, 2012. It is thought that this was done in response to a drop in sales, driven in part by safety ratings that didn’t fully meet consumer expectations. The company reintroduced a new version of the Jeep Cherokee in the Liberty’s place (notably, the model had only been discontinued in the U.S. market but had been continually produced for use in other countries during its hiatus). While the Jeep Liberty has never been reintroduced, a number of older Jeep Liberty models can still be seen on the road today.