2008 Jeep Patriot: "It's not really a Jeep thing...anymore"
With its relationship to the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass (all three use the same platform and drivetrain options) I must admit a prejudice existed against the Jeep Patriot before I ever got near it. The 2.4-liter, 172 horsepower engine isn't the most inspiring powerplant on the market, and the CVT continues to sap power in the Patriot just as it does in the Caliber and Compass.
BUT...the exterior design of the Patriot is my favorite of the three. I remember hearing the Compass was supposed to be the "girl's" version of this platform, and the Patriot was meant to be the "manly" one. I guess it worked, because I find this version much more attractive overall. The low-range transfer case gives the Patriot some authentic off-road mojo, and the boxy exterior makes it look like an authentic Jeep rather than a Jeep that sold its soul in a transparent effort to grab CR-V sales.
I didn't even hate the interior...quite as much as the Caliber's. Yeah, it still features acres of plastic-fantastic (just like the other two), but the overall design, including contrasting colors on the seats and door panels, give the cabin an attractive appearance. Just don't touch anything and you can almost convince yourself it's not one of the cheapest interiors on the market.
Speaking of cheap, the Jeep Patriot starts at a commendable $14,550, which makes even the weak drivetrain and low-grade interior acceptable. But that price is for a two-wheel drive Sport model. Step up to the all-wheel drive Limited version and the starting price is $21, 555. That price crosses over with a base CR-V, which even in base form remains a far superior vehicle.
Joke of a Jeep........and it has nothing on the CRV.
One of the few truly "bad" cars being sold in America today...
I can't understand why Jeep has this AND the Compass. Except for the patriots half baked attempt at 4x4 they are the same vehicle. I mean I get that 1 is for men and 1 is for women but what other automaker makes 2 of the exact same vehicle for the different sexes?
Either way, the powertrain and interior are just complete rubbish...the whole platform needs to be junked.
^ It would be better for Jeep to make ONE version for BOTH men and women. The Patriot looks soooo 1990, and the Compass looks, well... too feminine.
But either way I wouldn't be able to overlook the crappy interior. Hopefully new Chrysler won't pinch pennies the way "Kryzler" did.
Like you said with the Caliber, the interior's fine at the lower end of the price range, but not the higher end. But if you buy a Honda you can expect an interior that looks alright at the high end of the price range, and great at the low end.
I'm all for a low-end off-road capable Jeep, cheap interior or not. If you'd normally have to pay more for that ability, then you can live with the compromises of a cheap interior and drivetrain. Dunno about the boxiness though... I would've gone with a refinement of the previous Liberty's design language. That seemed to be popular with men and women alike.
This is why the New Chrysler is about to cut some models from their line up. Its just silly the way that company has behaved in recent years, as has been commented on considerably all over this website. Hopefully the big "Now Under New Management!!!" banner flapping in the breeze outside their corporate headquarters will actually come to mean something.
I too like the Patriot more than the Compass, it looks like a mini Commander and its like a successor the the Cherokee. I dont mind plastic interiors, I mean if the price is so low then that kind of affsets it. The problem is Kia and Hyundai both provide inexpensive options that no doubt feel higher quality than the Jeeps so its tough for them.
I hope the Compass/Caliber are fixed soon, because I have never seen any one car get such a beating by both the press and consumers, in not just one area but overall.
"Joke of a Jeep........and it has nothing on the CRV."
Well, thanks to the Freedom II package's low range, full-size spare tire, beefier AT tires, and tow hooks it can go place the CRV can't even dream to go—which is what a Jeep is supposed to be about, no?
I see this as more of a competitor for the Suzuki Grand Vitara, which is sort of an industrial-strength CRV, and less a direct competitor for the CRV.
If Jeep is trying to target the Grand Vitara, it's failing:
http://www.suzukiauto.com/sr_08/grand_vitara/
It fails at price, it fails at interior, it fails at drivetrain... what else do I need to mention? I've driven the last gen XL-7 (even taken it off-road) and it is a beast! BBechtel16 can attest to that. He drove the same XL-7 from PA to AK... in January. It's a worthy vehicle.
The fact that the Patriot has a CVT is a joke. Why change so much mechanics over the last generation Cherokee when they were getting it right from the start? Jeep has ALWAYS been looked up to in the off-road segment... hence the reputation "it's a Jeep thing". Why change a good product?
What they should've done was update the overall styling of the Cherokee, add more interior space (especially in the rear seat area), and beefed up the engine a bit. The Cherokee is STILL one of the best capable off-roading vehicles today and it doesn't fair to bad on-road either.
Forget trying to compete with the likes of the CR-V and XL-7. Blaze your own trails. That's how you really get name recognition and loyalty.
The base model, like other Jeeps, is very good value. It offers some attractive and relatively inexpensive options, such as heated seats. Compared to other choices in this price segment, it has some basic goodness that sets it apart from others. High ground clearance is a huge plus in many areas that have poor roads, lots of deep snow (or flood waters) or both. It is roomy, practical and safe. Much like base model Wrangler Unlimited, Patriot offers a lot of car for your money.
And, unlike CR-V, it is available with manual transmission.
flicmod
I agree. If I were to choose between the Patriot and a Grand Vitara, the GV would get my vote.
I must say that I was pretty excited to hear about the patriot as my 95 cherokee has seen better days. I was following it from the beginning and expected it to be the replacement I was seeking. Who wouldn't love a car-based SUV that is very light yet retains low-range 4WD. But there is no way that I could go from my inline 6 with loads of torque to a chrysler 4 cylinder. I can deal with a crappy interior since my jeep wins no prize. I really thought the patriot was going to be an updated cherokee. THe least they could have done was drop a 6 cylinder engine in it. I might even take the 3.0 chrysler if not the 3.7. And who need a CVT to sap whatever little power the 4 cyl produces anyway. I wish Chrysler would just sell Jeep already to someone who could take advantage of it.
Isn't the Liberty closer to the old Cherokee?
"Joke of a Jeep........and it has nothing on the CRV."
except for having a base price over $10,000 less.
Fair point, firstwagon. With that 10K in consideration.....which would you want to have in your driveway?
My point is people won't be cross shopping them. The Patriot starts in the Honda Fit price range, not the CRV.
I have a co-worker who recently bought a front drive Patriot with a 5-speed. She compared to the Kia Rio, Pontiac Wave, Yaris and Fit.
The Jeep had the most room and is this group, she thought it was the most interesting to drive.
Sure the CRV is nicer then the Patriot but it's as much as a well equipped Wrangler Unlimited which is what I would have in my driveway.
That's true firstwagon, I think the Liberty is more of a competitor to the CR-V, RAV4, Rogue, Escape, Vue and Outlander.
If someone did offer me the choice between a Patriot and a CR-V, no questions asked I'd take the Patriot. I can't stand to look at the new CR-V.
It's true, daytona: the front-end of the CR-V is too ugly. I really wonder why people buy that car!!
Looks aren't everything, Kwaku. After all, I bought an ugly Subaru. :o)
Honda has demonstrated several times that people don't buy them for the looks...
Your "ugly Subaru" looks way better than the CR-V's front end! But I guess Bimmerjay is right: most people don't buy non-luxury cars, especially Toyotas and Hondas for looks........
Suby,
Your ugly Subaru doesn't look anything like a refrigerator, nor the box it came in.
mnorm1, why do you always have to disrespect refrigerators and their boxes? j/k :o)