Jeep Patriot

The list of compact car-based SUVs with credible off-road capability is brief. And there's a cause for that -- incredibly couple of folks want their urban runabouts to possess the style trade-offs required to allow feverish rock-hopping. But you will find certain expectations for cars offered by the Jeep brand, and indeed the new Jeep Patriot pins significantly of its distinctiveness to its class-leading off-road capacity.

At first glance, the Jeep Patriot's exterior will probably remind several people on the upright, boxy Jeep Cherokee of old. And that's the way Jeep wants it. But underneath, the Patriot utilizes the exact same platform since the Jeep Compass and the Dodge Caliber, two automobiles that get wobbly-kneed at the initial sight of the dirt street. Setting the Patriot apart are steeper tactic and departure angles, a low-range gear, slightly increased ground clearance and the availability of an optional package deal that adds protective skid plates.

The heritage styling and additional smidge of off-pavement capacity combine using a reduced cost to make the Jeep Patriot a potentially appealing package deal for some purchasers. However, there's not a entire lot else for the Patriot to make it a stand-out selection for your majority. Other autos in this segment provide roomier interiors, much more cargo room, far better fuel economy, readily available V6 engines, superior fit and finish and even off-road capacity. Overall, we think most shoppers will be greatest served by looking at other alternatives.

Current Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot SUV is available in two trim levels: a base Sport plus a Restricted model with far more common attributes. Both trims appear with a common 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (172 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque) as well as a five-speed handbook transmission. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive are available as choices. Buyers interested in front-wheel-drive Sport trims can opt for a less-expensive motor: a 158-hp 2.-liter four-cylinder.

Billed because the rugged entry-level Jeep, the Patriot is offered with many off-road characteristics. The Patriot's AWD program can be enhanced with "hill-descent control," an electronic program that instantly modulates the brakes to keep a reduced rate on steep declines, and an extra-low "off road" gear, which is only offered in versions equipped when using the CVT. There may be also the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group package deal that adds skid plates, front and rear tow hooks as well as a full-size spare tire.

As a result of a slim profile and large load floor, there isn't a whole lot of room within the Patriot. The rear seats are about the tight side and storage room is limited. The rear seats fold down in the 60/40 split to improve rear storage up to 54.two cubic feet, that is nevertheless much much less than another automobiles in the course.

In reviews, we discovered the Jeep Patriot to offer a secure and quiet ride. Driven moderately, the vehicle feels well-balanced, even over bumps, and corners capably, with constrained body roll. The Patriot's a couple of.4-liter four-cylinder motor is rated near the top from the course in terms of energy, but the optional CVT snuffs much in the life out of this vehicle and makes it feel like one of the slowest in its course. One more main complaint concerning the Patriot requires the extremely disappointing quality of its interior materials, in spite of an overhaul for 2009.

Used Jeep Patriot Models

The Jeep Compass was introduced for 2007. Some attributes were added a year later, but 2009 saw large modifications in the form of the new and enhanced interior. Prior to that, the crummy hard plastics produced one of the worst cabins within the market. For 2010, the 158-hp four-cylinder could possibly be paired towards the five-speed guide for that 1st time.