Jeep Liberty

Name: 2005 Jeep Liberty
Brand: Jeep

EPA MPG: 24 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 24 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Liberty Diesel's 18-mpg average is better than the V6 Liberty's 15 mpg, but it comes at a hefty price. The engine sounds like a farm tractor and acceleration is slow. In other aspects, it is very similar to the conventional Liberty. The ride is jittery, but handling is responsive and secure. The selectable full-time four-wheel drive can remain engaged indefinitely.

2005 SUVs Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Jeep Liberty

vs. Similar Cars

Ford Escape

Honda CR-V

Honda Element

Subaru Forester

Toyota RAV4

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Marginal

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Marginal

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

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2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

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Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Marginal

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2005 Compact SUVs Ratings

2005 Jeep Liberty

$3,275 - $4,025

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Chevrolet Equinox

$2,850 - $2,925

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Ford Escape

$3,100 - $3,525

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid

$3,100 - $3,525

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Honda CR-V

$5,025 - $5,350

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Honda Element

$4,575 - $5,525

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Hyundai Tucson

$3,200 - $3,925

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2005 Kia Sportage

$2,975 - $3,675

EPA MPG NA

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2005 Mazda Tribute

$3,200 - $3,675

EPA MPG 20 mpg

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2005 Mercury Mariner

$3,125 - $3,375

EPA MPG NA

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2005 Mitsubishi Outlander

$3,075 - $4,200

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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2005 Nissan Xterra

$3,575 - $4,550

EPA MPG 18 mpg

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2005 Pontiac Aztek

$2,950 - $3,175

EPA MPG 20 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2005 Saturn Vue

$3,025 - $3,450

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Subaru Forester

$3,975 - $5,675

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara

$2,725 - $4,125

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2005 Toyota RAV4

$5,250 - $5,525

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

See All Compact SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

4WD, Rear

2.4-liter 4 (150 hp)
2.8-liter 4 turbodiesel (160 hp)
3.7-liter V6 (210 hp)

5-speed automatic
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2008-2012

2008 Redesign Year

The boxier looking 2008 redesign brought little improvement in driving dynamics. It also remained noisy and cramped. In fact, we ranked this version of the Liberty lower than its predecessor and it is the lowest-rated vehicle in its category for the time. Ride quality is unsettled, handling is clumsy and the noisy engine uses too much fuel. The interior is too small, uncomfortable and fit and finish are poor. On the other hand, the Jeep tows well and offroad terrain is handled masterfully. A full-time four-wheel drive system was an option. The 2012 models were the last for the Liberty.

2002-2007

2002 Redesign Year

Launched in 2002, the somewhat revolutionary looking Jeep Liberty boasted an independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. However ride quality is jittery. Further, the cockpit is narrow and a bit hard to access. Handling was clumsy, but ultimately secure. Off-roading is the Liberty's strong suit. The noisy 3.7-liter V6 is lethargic and thirsty. Stability control and ABS were made standard for 2006. A slow and noisy diesel version was briefly offered, but it returned just 18 mpg overall in our tests and was dropped in 2007.