2010 Jeep Liberty
- 2009 Jeep Liberty
- Used Jeep Liberty
Based on analysis of 44 Liberty reviews and test drives.
Jeep Liberty - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 Jeep Liberty ranks 18 out of 21 Affordable Compact SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 44 published reviews and test drives of the Jeep Liberty, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Liberty's strong suit is its excellent off-road capabilities. In spite of that, it can't match the raw power and refined handling of rivals and probably won't be a very comfortable daily driver.
The 2010 Jeep Liberty stands out with its macho-looking exterior, trail-rated off-road capabilities and unique Sky Slider full-length canvas roof (an industry first). With a base price around $23,000 and a 16/22 mpg fuel economy rating, the Liberty is a good value when compared with other off-road SUVs. If you don't need off-road capabilities, however, there are plenty of cheaper compact SUVs that offer more comfortable rides and much better fuel economy.
"Shoppers who have no plans to venture beyond the pavement will be better served by more refined SUVs like Toyota's RAV4, but for those with real wanderlust, Jeep has a truck for you," says Consumer Guide. The RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, both class leaders, offer better on-pavement driving experiences, net more than four extra miles per gallon and cost slightly less than the Liberty..
However, what the RAV4 and CR-V won't do is take you off road. For more rugged options, consider the Jeep Patriot. You'll get the same boxy Jeep styling and off-road prowess without the poor fuel economy. The Patriot achieves 23/28 mpg city/highway, which is the best of any off-road SUV. At around $17,000, it even costs considerably less than the Liberty. For a more refined on-road ride along with off-road chops, consider the Nissan Xterra. It costs slightly less than the Liberty, though it achieves slightly worse fuel economy.
New for the 2010 Liberty is a system that shuts off the engine when decelerating to improve its gas mileage, as well as an indicator on the dash to show when it's being driven efficiently. This may make the 2010 model worth your money, but if gas mileage isn't a concern you can probably snag a discount by buying a 2009 model. Dealers may be more willing to negotiate since they're making room for 2010s on their lots. Check out our Jeep deals for the best incentives.
The Liberty is available in three trim levels -- Sport, Rocky Mountain and Limited -- which come with a choice of two different four-wheel drive systems.
- "Redesigned for 2008, the latest Liberty has a more chiseled exterior but it drives much like the unrefined original, finishing last in a nine-SUV comparison test." -- Car and Driver
- "Since the new one is easier on the eyes, a bit more fuel-efficient and has a few new convenience features, it should continue to appeal to its soft-core demographic." -- New York Times
- "Inside and out, I appreciated the rugged nature of the Liberty's looks. However, the Liberty should have given me more features, more storage space and a better ride despite its somewhat modest price tag." -- Mother Proof
Liberty Performance - 6.6 (Mediocre)
The 2010 Jeep Liberty continues to shine in its off-road performance, but test drivers say it just isn't engineered for a comfortable on-pavement ride. "Soft springs make this tall SUV feel tippy and nervous," says Car and Driver. "Combined with a soft brake pedal and crude engine, the Liberty isn't very happy on-road." Read More
Liberty Exterior - 7.8 (Good)
Reviewers love the Liberty's masculine, rugged look and especially its optional canvas roof. "The Liberty features Jeep's traditional seven-slot grille and trapezoidal fender flares that enhance the vehicle's side profile," says Cars.com. "Unlike many panoramic sunroofs offered today, Jeep's Sky Slider roof is made of canvas rather than glass. The fabric roof folds on itself as it opens, and Jeep says the top is leak-proof." Read More
Liberty Interior - 7.2 (Good)
The 2010 Jeep Liberty's five-seat interior is comfortable enough, but many reviewers are disappointed in the quality of materials. "This is still a traditional SUV cabin with an upright seating position and minimal frills, unless you choose to add them," says Edmunds. Read More
Liberty Safety - 8.7 (Very Good)
The 2010 Liberty features plenty of standard safety equipment, including stability control and side air bags. It also does very well in federal government crash tests, but doesn't do as well in insurance industry tests. Read More
Liberty Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)
The 2010 Jeep Liberty reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Liberty is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. Read More
