Jeep has had a long history with diesel engines, with their first attempt dating back to 2005 with the introduction of the Jeep Liberty CRD. This marked the brand’s foray into offering diesel models to gauge public interest in the oil-burning engine. The Liberty CRD featured a 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel I4 engine built by VM Motori in Italy, producing 160 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power and torque for the Liberty CRD, allowing it to reach 60 mph in 10 seconds and have a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The fuel efficiency of the Liberty CRD was also commendable, with a rating of 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway.
Despite its performance and efficiency, the Liberty CRD did not have any significant distinguishing features from its gas-powered counterparts, aside from a “CRD” badge on the rear hatch. The model was available in Sport and Limited trims, with Jeep initially planning to offer only 5,000 units for the first year. However, the response from consumers was positive, with over 11,000 units sold in the 16 months the model was available in the U.S. The starting price for the Liberty CRD was $25,125, with the Limited trim priced at $27,355. Unfortunately, the Liberty CRD was discontinued after the 2007 model year due to federal emissions standards.
Following the discontinuation of the Liberty CRD, Jeep introduced the Grand Cherokee CRD in 2007 as part of the WK generation. Unlike the Liberty CRD, which used an engine from VM Motori, the Grand Cherokee CRD featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 engine from Mercedes-Benz, producing 215 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided the Grand Cherokee CRD with a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds and improved fuel efficiency ratings of 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway compared to the gas-powered models.
Buyers had the option to pair the diesel engine with a five-speed automatic transmission and rear or Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive system. The performance of the Grand Cherokee CRD was respectable, with a 0-60 mph time of eight seconds. Like the Liberty CRD, the styling of the Grand Cherokee CRD was identical to the gas-powered models, with the only distinguishing feature being the “CRD” badge.
Despite its performance and capabilities, the Grand Cherokee CRD had a higher starting price compared to its gas-powered counterparts, with the base CRD Limited 4X2 priced at $38,315 and the CRD Overland 4X4 priced at $45,145. This higher price point, along with issues related to the engine’s urea aftertreatment system, led to a low take rate for the diesel option, with only eight percent of Grand Cherokee buyers opting for the diesel in 2009. Chief engineer Phil Jansen cited these factors as reasons for discontinuing the diesel option in 2010.
However, Jeep would later reverse course and offer the Ecodiesel option on the WK2 Grand Cherokee before ultimately discontinuing it in 2019. The final Jeep diesel model was a limited edition Gladiator limited to 1,000 units, raising questions about whether Jeep will ever bring another diesel engine to market. With the automotive industry shifting towards electric and hybrid vehicles, the future of diesel engines in Jeep’s lineup remains uncertain.