New Jeep Libery Arriving Next Year

Chrysler has been busy this past year with revising its product lineup by introducing models like the Dodge Durango and Charger, the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee. In addition, the Auburn Hills-based automaker has found the time to refresh other vehicles with a bit of chrome and a new fascia, but there is still one that is long overdue for a makeover. We are talking about the Jeep Liberty.

All that might change in the near future, if what a recent report from Kicking Tires is true. The third best-selling Jeep model will have a few surprises for us in 2012, according to a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing by Chrysler. The big news here is that the launch has been advanced a full year from the 2013 original plan that was part of Chrysler’s five-year scheme. At this moment we can’t say if this is a facelift or an all-new model, but any change is welcomed, as the Liberty went on sale back in 2008.

Other new pieces of information include the fact that Chrysler wants to have start-stop installed in 90 percent of the vehicles it sells in North America by 2017.

We are inclined to believe this is a major overhaul, as the Jeep Liberty has already received a minor upgrade for the 2011 model year, including a new steering wheel to match the one going into production on the 2011 Jeep Wrangler and the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a price cut. There is also a 70th Anniversary special edition model.

"The all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty stands out from the competition by offering customers classic Jeep design, two four-wheel-drive systems, refined on-road ride and handling, cargo and utility, as well as features that are not typically found on vehicles in the mid-size SUV segment," said George Murphy, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing, Chrysler Group, at the time of the launch. Let’s see if this will hold true for the next generation.