2010 Jeep Liberty 4X4 Review 

I have a 2009 sport 4X4 201000 miles on it and still going strong... a beast in the snow especially with good tires (I have toyo open country at3) almost impossible to get stuck in my experience.

This is the most beautiful Jeep ever !

Why in the world did these get a bad rep? This is one of my favorite suv's now!

I’ve got a 2011 Jeep Liberty North Edition still holding up strong through Newfoundland weather 🇨🇦

I really wish Jeep would have switched to the 3.6L V6 and 5-speed in a mid cycle refresh and continued to update it far beyond 2012. I think it's an overall beautiful, classic design both inside and out. I like it more than the 2007-2010 Wrangler JK. This was a great review.

I own a '04 Liberty - bought it new and never thought I'd like it as much as I do. It's a great size for a family. These things were built pretty tough - with a truck like frame not some unibody crossover from a passenger car. I've experienced the typical window failures etc but otherwise very dependable. I'm looking to purchase a low mileage 2012 model. I have no idea why they retired the Liberty line. I don't care for the Compass or the Patriot and for that matter the Cherokee. The only thing I'd even consider is the Grand Cherokee. Although I like larger vehicles like the Commander and Tahoe for example - the Liberty is perfect for my wife and for me to haul a small 1 ton trailer for yard work etc.

I have a 2012 Jeep liberty Latitude 4x4. I absolutely love it. But I definitely need a better tire choice for snow than I currently have. It came with Ironman SUV tires and they suck in the winter.

the new one they're releasing according to the jeep dealer near to me is going to be a complete breakdown and build from the previous model and will have the option for diesel and a 9 speed auto option

The Liberty is an excellent choice ---One thing Jeep left out for some unknown reason is a locking rear differential or even a limited slip on either front or rear ..Other than that I have no complaints about mine .Lousy mileage I expected -- no big deal ..

What a great SUV, why did Jeep stop making it.

@bg1379 I thought in 4-LO mode all 4 wheels turn at the same speed? Isn't 4-LO mode made for heavy conditions?

Is this model still using the Dana 30 front axle?

@mpg Out here in the MidAtlantic after this blast of snow we had three neighbors with Land Crusier/ LX's and one with a 4Runner get stuck because they were in low. They just changed to high when I let them know, and they were out of there in an instant!

I really don't understand how the first generation Liberty outsold twice as much as the second/final generation did. The second generation looked so much better IMO. After the second generation I wanted them to keep making them.

@bajabusta I disagree. I did a few tests with mine when I bought it. I put 30k miles on it in one year running between detroit and chicago. The best MPG I got was 27hwy, city 18. Combined 22. I've added enough under armor (skids and rock rails) to put mine around 4600lbs. I've pulled our scout trailer that hits 3900 when loaded for summer camp. Reason why I didn't buy a cute ute. I wanted something like a Jeep that could be useful. That's why Im on my 3rd Liberty. I own 2.

@bg1379 Actually 4-Lo is what you want in deep snow, or when you're in a bad way. It's not the added torque that is the problem. Most people drive in low as they would in high, you can't push the gas in the same manner you do in high. You have to regulate how you use the 'go pedal' in low to use it properly. With high, if your wheels break free they will be spinning that much faster and dig you into a hole a lot quicker. A proper use of the accelerator in low will get you out a lot better.

haha, yeah i know...I can't believe Dan didn't stress the ancient body-on-frame chassis which yields a rough ride along with sloppy steering and body control...and the fairly terrible mileage make it a wonder these things sell at all! It's all in the Jeep brand I swear...some people just want to say they have a Jeep, and apparently they're more than willing to put up with sub-par, ancient vehicle designs to say they've got one.

The Liberty is not a Wrangler but it is a capable mud-buggy. I have a 2004 with a little over 100,000 miles on it and it has had no problems to date. There are places I would not take it but, with the proper tires, it has done pretty much everything I've asked of it; not an inconsiderable accomplishment.

I have a 2003 liberty sport 4wd and live in NEPA in the mountains.....I've found that lo and hi in show are dependent on the conditions. For deep, wet snow, stay out of lo as you will just break loose and spin. However, lo works great when going down a steep hill in the snow (esp. wet snow) as it acts as a very good engine brake. It's best when combined with a set of decent snow tires.

and I love the way mpgomatic test cars, I agree completely...you're right, it is best to let the mainstream media be critical and not try to change people's minds. Anyways, keep up the great work mpgomatic! One of the best channels on youtube! -mercmilan06

I have one ( 2010 Jeep Liberty 4x4 Limited Edition ) and i have to say it's not a bad car. I got loads of room upfront and rear. One problem is that my muffler and pipes have gotten rusted quite fast. Also, if you listen carefully, it sort of sounds like a diesel.

The Liberty is not a Wrangler but it is a capable mud-buggy. I have a 2004 with a little over 100,000 miles on it and have had no problems to date. There are places I would not take it but, with the proper tires, it has done all I've asked of it; not an inconsiderable accomplishment.

@bajabusta I owned a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and I agree with you on the thought that it should have continued on that way. However, this is not a crossover and it shouldn't be compared to crossovers. Thank god someone is still making a REAL SUV. Jeep is among the very few that do these days and I get a little irked when people complain about gas mileage with these things cause that's just not what they're made for. I'm just countering your opinion. Nothing personal and I do enjoy your videos/posts.

No review does the Liberty justice. I have a 2008 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4. I've made mine perform much better by adding quite a few bolt ons making it way too much fun to drive.

Oh, and now, with all the extra weight and larger tires, I'm getting 22hwy, 16 city. It's a mistake most people make. The Jeep is not a suv or a crossover. And, cute utes are not Jeeps. It's like compairing apples and oranges. If I was a old guy and wanted to have something to get me to the doctors office, I might go with a AWD stationwagon/hatchback that most of these new x-overs look like but for now, I like getting dirty in my Jeep.

My 2006 liberty In one day A/c went out and Transmission...and window motors.

It's sold as the Cherokee outside the States. Not sure why they didn't keep the name here. Aerodynamics definitely work against it on the highway, when it comes to fuel economy ... With a modern turbodiesel (not the VM Motori 2.8L), the Liberty/Cherokee could deliver highway mileage in the mid-thirties with plenty of torque for towing and off-road.

C/Ds out there to sell issues. We're just here to report in the unique way we report, rather than pick favorites. The Liberty and RAV4 are what they are, but there's a reason why we avoid using terms like "eco-friendly" and the "green" thing. If folks really need an off-road capable vehicle, more power to 'em.

hopefully these will get the new pentastar v6 like the 2011 grand cherokee. the the new cherokee has suspension that you can raise up for offroading and lower it when city driving.

LOL @ 2:30 : "Woaw a lot of headroom!" :-)

I'm lucky enough in the UK to have a 2.8 CRD version of this car, with Select Track II 5 speed auto, this vehicle offers 30 mpg on a run, 24 around town... The CRD is a turbo diesel and and well as offering a mountain of torque, will push you back in you seat on demand, when overtaking ... which was a nice surprise as I saw this car as a bit of a cruiser on road..... This car in the UK is called the Cherokee, State-side this car wasn't hardcore enough to have the privilege of this name....

though from what I've seen the MPG on its competitor the xterra is slightly worst with 20 city when in 4wd check my numbers, idk for sure

Awesome 👍🏾 👍🏾 2010 Jeep Liberty 4x4 review .

22.8mpg??? That’s a lie I have a 2009 Jeep Liberty trail rated 4x4 an it gets 19mpg with the 3.7

@millwrightman99 I agree with you here; they could use that Pentastar engine that's with the Grand Cherokee. For the Liberty to be viable, it needs a higher end 4-cylander or turbocharger for its competition, but at the same time. it has a tow rating of 5000 lbs as is, which is quite good for its size of SUV. Also, it needs a better transmission; a 4-speed auto, doesn't fly; it needs at least a 5 or 6 speed or CVT like the Compass to be more fuel efficient.

Awesome 👍🏾👍🏾 2010 Jeep Liberty 4x4 review .

My gma's Chevy Equinox is AWD, it gets around 16MPG and its NOT rated for any off roading. For this to be off road capable and 4WD AND still get 22.8 (not to mention the bigger engine in the jeep vs the equinox), that's quite good.

Its an all-too-common misconception that 4-LO is what should be used in heavy snow. In reality, the increase in torque is the exact opposite of what you want, as it just makes the wheels spin more readily.

The Chrysler Pentastar V6 is going to be beast.

@muscle1983 4-LO creates much more torque, using 4-HI makes all wheels spin more quickly with less torque (which is ideal for snow, but not, say, towing out of an incline)

@millwrightman99 I agree with the CVT being not very good for Jeep. Motor Trend tested the Compass in off conditions with the CVT and it had some difficulty; the Wrangler with a 4-speed auto did much better. I'm with you that the Pentastar should be the standard engine on the higher ends of the Liberty place that with a 5-speed auto and you're set; there's also a rumor that says that there will be an 8-speed auto coming to the high horsepower Chrysler engines.

Truth be told, I'm not a fan of SUVs in general. Folks should buy the vehicle that best suits their actual (rather than perceived) needs. Test driving a relatively soft mid-sized conventionally-powered SUV in-between test driving two compact sporting fuel-efficient five-door turbodiesels is an eye-opener. It's mighty tough to convince someone to switch from one vehicle to the other ... in most cases, they've already convinced themselves what they're going to buy.

I don't think you were really in 4wd Low. You were moving too fast for the sound, and the drive train isn't actually in 4wd low when the indicator is flashing. It goes solid illumination when it has successfully transitioned over and is active.

@bajabusta I hear ya. I hate crossovers. It's fine that they exist and I understand their purpose but I just wish that the manufacturers would get that there are those of us out there that still want a 4x4 that's not a silly Toyota FJ Cruiser.

I liked the 02-07 KJ's. (I own a 02 Limited). I also liked the KK's. I own a 09. I agree they are devoid gimmicks as they should. I've set in the 2014 Cherokee and my first thought was PT cruiser. The 14 has NO character as far as Jeeps go. I hope they find that market share they so hope to find as they just lost a pretty good chunk of the other segment.

O único problema e que vcs tem que traduzir em português.como vamos saber o que ele tá falando .

Thanks, BG! Hey, at least I've erred on the side of the all-to-common misconception. Been doin' it wrong all these years ... :)

It's too bad that the CRD was discontinued after only two seasons. It seems unrealistic, at best, for the EPA and the US govt. to expect a truck to emit zero emissions. How can one get more mpgs while also reducing emissions?

God I would kill for one of those!!!

I really like this car, it is very capable and functional...but that MPG figure is something Jeep must start to get rid off if they want to survive. They must begin to think more as engineers and less as American Consumers....Fuel efficiency is KEY on the market now, and there are other models in the market like the Suzuki Vitara V6, with same capabilities with better fuel efficiency. 22 mpg is too bad. Even a 3.7 Mustang has better mpg (31 mpg). Liberty will be perfect with an MPG Improvement

this is a nice looking off road capable jeep but Chrysler did not do one thing they desperately needed and they need a new v6. The 3.7lv6 is has been unchanged since 2001 and it only has 210hp. Also only a 4 speed automatic in this day and age? ford is using 6 speed autos. I wish they would make it a 3.5v6 with 250hp and put a 5 or 6 speed auto in it.

Good stuff!

This Sport Model is the cheapest of them all. I have the Limited with sunroof, side air bags, 17" rims, leather seats and stability control..

This jeep goes good threw snow

For anybody who doesn't need the off road capability of the Liberty, they'd be crazy to get this thing over a RAV4. Now I'm not a Toyota fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I had a 2008 RAV4 V6 Limited 4WD for a couple days and it was spacious, solid, had a ton of cargo room, handling was almost car-like, it had a TON of power, and it got very surprising mileage for the size and power it had. It's modern design in comparison to the archaic Liberty make it a better choice.

Thx!

i wish it had xenon headlights :(

Problem with is Liberty is the lousy mileage , other than that its a great sized vehicle just a bit smaller than the behemoth Grand Cherokee .They should have put in the new 3.6 -- more power better fuel economy .Too bad

@1997FordProbeGT From the research i did on the previous liberty it was not a very reliable SUV. It had several electrical problem just like every other chrysler. You sound like you know your cars a bit. But this car is built on the same platform engine and all. My buddy did have one of the old gen liberties and never had a problem. But I'm still just pissed about my purchase and all the money i lost trading it in. I'll never buy another chrylser product. This wasn't my first either.

Dan always does a great job with his reviews. I feel i need to let people know how unreliable this platform is. It is the same platform from the old jeep liberty which was one of the worst suv chassis in recent history. I had an 07 nitro which is essentially the same car, (I.E. engine, chassis electronics) and all it was for me was a headache. It broke 6 times and it nearly got me in an accident at a red light when the RPMs jumped. It also stalled on me with only 9,000 kms on it. Bad MPG also.

@mercmilan Its funny- I was going to say the EXACT same thing about buying this over a Rav4! I don't know any sensible person who would buy this over that, especially seeing as it placed NINTH of nine in C/D's last comparo against 4 cylinders like the Rav4. All in all, the consensus on these is that they are not even near par, and, to be honest, I'm pretty bummed that Dan didn't stress how overwhelming the negatives to this are, especially given his the supposed focus on eco-friendliness.

@1997FordProbeGT Yeah I love Chryslers design department. I mean the 300 was a beautiful car I had one for a rental while my Nitro was in the shop. I almost looked forward to my POS braking down because i knew they would bring the 300c. The sad part is that chryslers cars a shit, literally everything about them. The PT cruiser is actually probably the most reliable car they make and that is because it uses the world engine. I hope Fiat fixes their mess because they obviously cant do it.

THIS IS A PROPPER CHEROKEE.

pos vehicle slow, underpowered cheap interior, rough ride and bad on gas for my money I will buy the 2016 cherokee