The compact-but-peppy 2004 Jeep Liberty Sport is a great vehicle to consider if you like lighter off-roading and a more capable vehicle. However, do you know what makes the Sport trim stand out from the crowd? It’s available in manual or automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive or 4×4 for starters.
What’s available for the 2004 Jeep Liberty Sport trim?
Starting out with the basics, the 2004 Jeep Liberty Sport has a 2.4L inline-four engine that can deliver 150 HP and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard with overdrive, a hydraulically-assisted adjustment-free clutch and synchronized forward gears.
But what else is this compact Jeep is noted for? There’s a lot more to the Sport trim than you may realize. Fortunately, you don’t have to go digging all over the internet to find it, because we’ve collected everything that you need to know in this article.
A Quick Glance at the Jeep Liberty
The Jeep Liberty was designed to take the place of the Jeep Cherokee in the North American market, retaining Jeep’s position in the compact SUV marketplace. Produced for a single decade from the 2002 to 2012 model years, the Liberty provided a fresher appearance compared to the aging Jeep Cherokee body style and overall design.
Produced in two different generations, the Liberty was the first Jeep to use an independent front suspension since the Wagoneer in the early 1960s. It was available in three trims, the Sport, the more rugged Renegade, and the premium Limited trim, all of which featured PowerTech engine variations.
Though the Liberty was nominated for the 2002 “North American Truck of the Year” award, it tended to have some issues with reliability that caused the model to have a somewhat slower takeoff than was anticipated. A minor facelift was provided in the 2005 model year to help create a fresher appearance for critics.
The 2005 and 2006 model years also featured an available small diesel engine to improve overall fuel efficiency, but it was discontinued as 2007 saw tougher overall American diesel standards. As styling complaints continued, the second generation was developed with a more traditional Jeep-like boxy appearance.
How is the 2004 Jeep Liberty Sport Different from other Trims?
Popular with drivers who want better handling in rough conditions or bad weather, the 2004 Jeep Liberty Sport trim delivers a lot of value for the money. Aimed at economical buyers, it still features many traits that drive Jeep demand, including Command-Trac transfer cases and manual transmission for off-roading fun.
Two additional available powertrain options provide an upgrade to the 3.7L V6 engine paired with the same manual transmission or an automatic one. Selec-Trac is available on the automatic transmission to help improve off-roading or bad-weather four-wheel drive applications, while available skid plate and trailer towing packages help you escape.
Where the Jeep Liberty Sport really shines is its interior. A full-length center console includes removable cup holders for easy cleaning, additional power ports, and netting organizers for cargo spaces. The Fresno cloth-trimmed seats include an easy-to-fold 35/65 split-folding rear seat, and an optional sunroof lets you feel the wind in your hair.
Multi-stage front driver and passenger airbags are standard, with an option for supplemental headliner-mounted side curtain airbags. Four-wheel disc brakes deliver superior performance to improve your stopping power with an optional anti-lock braking system. A standard electric rear window defroster makes cold mornings just a little bit easier to face.
Whether you decide to purchase the 2004 Jeep Liberty Sport will depend on your needs and situation, but make sure to take it for a test drive. However, short of that point, you can find out everything else you need to know by checking out the specs at Vehicle History.
