2005 Jeep Liberty Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$20,140 to $25,985

Original MSRP

6.7
of 10

expert review

4.0

avg user rating

(44 reviews)
6.7
out of 10
expert review
Look & feel
7/10
Technology
6/10
Performance
7/10
Safety
6/10
Form & function
7/10
Cost-effectiveness
7/10
2005 Jeep Liberty Test Drive Review summaryImage

The 2005 Jeep Liberty is a capable off-roader and can handle daily driving with ease.

Jeep’s pint-sized SUV, the Liberty, is now three years into its first generation on the market in the United States. Three powertrains are available for the 2005 model year. The first is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. The first optional engine is a 3.7-liter V6 that makes 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. A 2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-four is available that makes 160 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The Jeep Liberty Sport's four-cylinder engine comes only with a six-speed manual transmission and no option to add an automatic transmission, which comes standard with the V6. The diesel comes with a five-speed automatic with overdrive. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is available.

The Liberty slots into the Jeep lineup as one of its smallest vehicles. It's smaller than a Grand Cherokee and not quite as hardcore as a Wrangler, but carries many of the most popular styling elements from both.

Three trims are available: Sport, Renegade, and Limited. The Liberty competes with the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Nissan Xterra, Ford Escape, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4. It is targeted at new-car buyers that want a compact SUV with legitimate off-road capabilities.

7/10

The Liberty straddles the line between everyday usability and off-road capabilities, and mostly does that well. It carries many of Jeep’s most recognizable design elements, such as the upright slat grille, fender flares, round headlights, and rear tailgate-mounted spare tire, but it’s not as rugged or unrefined as the brand name might suggest. It’s got a smoother, friendlier, design that reflects its multi-purpose position in the Jeep lineup.

Inside, the Liberty is surprisingly roomy and is more than happy hauling four full-sized adults and a couple of dogs far into the woods. The front seats are well-padded and soft, but also feature bolstering deep enough to keep backsides in place. The rear seats are comfortable as well, and benefit from the Liberty’s boxy shape, which doesn’t let the roofline slope too drastically toward the rear of the vehicle.

Chris Teague
Published May 25, 2021 by Chris Teague
Chris is an automotive journalist covering new vehicle reveals, news, and technology. He loves digging into the details to tell entertaining and informative stories.

User reviews for 2005 Jeep Liberty

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User rating:
by Sheila R
Dec 24, 2024
NEVER PURCHASE A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY, and DONT LET ANYONE GIVE YOU ONE. I bought a 2005 Jeep Liberty Limited 4 door 4x4 . 2 1/2 years ago and will never buy another Jeep or Chrysler vehicle. I thought the problem was only because it is a used USA registered vehicle imported to Canada but since This has caused me nothing but problems from the time the keys were in my hand, I’ve researched it. It was an overpriced shiny blue and matte black paint job to cover up the rusted out bottom half of the vehicle with shiny tire wash to top it off. It has had electrical issues right from the start. Dead battery 1st morning , burnt out tail lights and signal light 2nd day, key broke off ignition 3rd day, back drivers side window fell into the door 4th day, burnt out tail lights and signal lights again and one head light 5th day, no high beams 6th day, replace head lights / signal lights/ rear lights over and over (I had to quit changing them, there is no point.) Had to pay $400 to a dealership for coded key (without the fob) because the vehicle only had one key when I bought it. It has never worked properly; the horn goes off every time I unlock the door. It has been a 2 year fight to get keys to work once coded. Now, I finally have the answer, the relay switch needs to be replaced. I haven’t looked under the hood except to add coolant to the top while it drains out the bottom because I can’t afford to put fuel in the gas guzzler But while I’m filling the coolant, I’m wondering what 2 year old child played with the wiring in to make the gobs of wires that decorate the top of the motor Check engine light always on. Check tire pressure notice always on. The doors are rusted all the way through. as is the whole bottom side. The back break pads and rotors rusted off; there were only chunks of rusted metal left. The VIN doesn’t register in USA recalls or Canada recalls and I know there are 8 recalls as of today, for the 2005, none of which include what is wrong with my Jeep and many other 2005-2006 Jeep Liberty owners. Apparently no tail lights is not a safety concern but it is problem enough to get pulled over 2 times in 10 minutes. I had such high hopes for this vehicle but Chrysler doesn’t seem to care on either side of the border that the 2005 Jeep Liberty has so many safety issues, near misses and fatal collisions and accidents. It’s just a mistake of a vehicle in their books and we have to pay. Dec 24, 2024
by Rick C
Jun 26, 2024
It works for me and I am looking for something simpleJun 26, 2024
by Gail W
Feb 08, 2023
Its nice good on gas take me any we here I want .go drive thru sn of we rain as n iceFeb 08, 2023

2005 Jeep Liberty Pricing

Original MSRP
$20,140 to $25,985
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.10

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Roof

Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.10 · Locking differential: center

Exterior Features

Skid plate(s): front and rear

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Roof

Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: steel

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.55

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Telematics

Phone: cellular phone

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.10

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Roof

Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.55 · Locking differential: center

Exterior Features

Skid plate(s): front and rear

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Telematics

Phone: cellular phone

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.73

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Telematics

Phone: cellular phone

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.10 · Locking differential: center

Exterior Features

Skid plate(s): front and rear

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Roof

Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brake width: 0.47

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.73 · Locking differential: center

Exterior Features

Skid plate(s): front and rear

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Telematics

Phone: cellular phone

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

See all trims (8)