2001 Jeep Liberty/Cherokee KJ 2.5L CRD 5MT (143 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Jeep decided to retire the Cherokee XJ in 2001, after successfully sold it for 17 years, with only one significant update in 1997, and the replacement tried to match its predecessor fame, but it couldn’t.

Some cars became automotive icons and were difficult to replace. Some automakers managed to do that successfully, while others failed. There is a long list of examples, and the 2001 Jeep Cherokee/Liberty KJ is one of them. Chrysler needed to replace the 17-year-old Cherokee XJ and bring it to modern standards. While customers still loved it, it was no longer a modern vehicle, even though it started as a revolutionary one in 1984. Furthermore, design trends changed, and many buyers were looking for rounded shapes instead of the angular ones typical for vehicles designed in the early ’80s. On top of that, the XJ interior was nearly impossible to upgrade to modern standards, especially since the cabin was small.

Jeep noticed that the car couldn’t step into forefather’s shoes. As a result, for the U.S. market, it sold it under the Liberty name, while the rest of the world got it as the Cherokee. The SUV’s front fascia no longer sported rectangular headlights but round, like those mounted on the Wrangler. Between them, the automaker placed the already famous seven-slat grille, which was unique to the Jeep brand. However, the lower bumper was now softer, made from plastic, and integrated the blinkers on the corners.

From its profile, the car’s shape still resembled the XJ, but its rounded panels and the taller greenhouse were specific for the KJ. Its flared wheel arches fitted with plastic claddings continued on the doors, trying to create a more aggressive look for the vehicle. But still, it was far from being considered a trustworthy off-road vehicle by its owners. Fortunately, the chunky door handles that were easy to operate while wearing working gloves were still there. Another improvement was found at the back of the car, where the automaker installed a spare wheel on a cradle instead of placing it inside the trunk and diminishing the luggage space.

The interior, on the other hand, was miles away from the 1997 Cherokee XJ, and in a good way. Firstly, the instrument cluster was no longer cluttered by six dials and gauges. It showed just four instead: the speedometer, the tachometer, the fuel level, and the coolant temperature gauges. The driver fronted a redesigned steering wheel with buttons that controlled the media and the cruise control. On the center stack, Jeep installed an integrated stereo with a CD player, while below it was the panel for the HVAC system. Between the front bucket seats, the automaker installed a center console that housed the gear selector, a pair of cup holders, and an armrest with a cubby storage underneath. In the back, the automaker added a split-folding bench seat that could expand the trunk space.

Under the hood, Chrysler installed different engines, depending on the market. Besides the gas-powered versions, the automaker also installed a 2.5-liter VM Motori turbodiesel engine, which was offered for a couple of years in selected U.S. states, not just Europe. Customers could get the Liberty/Cherokee with either a simpler Command-Trac part-time 4WD system or with the Selec-Trac version that added a center differential between the axles, making the vehicle more capable and safe to drive while it was driven on snow-covered surfaces.