Is a Jeep Liberty a Good First Car?

I just got my license, and I’m considering purchasing a used Jeep Liberty as my first car. Any idea about whether a Jeep Liberty is a good first car?

Katherine Duffy · Answered on Nov 30, 2022

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

The Jeep Liberty was manufactured for 10 years, from 2002 to 2012, which means the newest used Liberty you could get is at least 10 years old.

This may not be a problem if it doesn’t have a ton of miles, but if the odometer is over 100k, you may want to reconsider. An older car with high mileage means your car is more prone to serious issues, like engine failure, that could crop up while you’re out and about.

What if the Liberty you’re looking at has low mileage? Here are a few pros and cons to consider.

The pros:

Great cargo capacity
4WD
Comfortable, smooth driving experience

The cons:

Less reliable than other Jeeps
Recalled in 2002, 2004, and 2012
Poor gas mileage
Slow acceleration

As you can see, there might be more cons than pros that come with purchasing a Jeep Liberty in 2022, especially as your first vehicle. A more recent Jeep like the Jeep Grand Cherokee is recommended instead.

MORE: Jeep tune up cost

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