All-new Patriot is Inexpensive and “Trail Rated”

Jeep has introduced yet another new product, coming on the heels of the much maligned and unloved Compass that arrived last year and the previously introduced Commander. That brings to six the number of Jeep models now available.

The Patriot is built on the same chassis as the Compass and Dodge Caliber and, with a starting price of $14,985 including shipping, is the least expensive model to carry the Jeep badge. The Patriot is built at the same Belvidere, Ill., assembly plant as Caliber and Compass and is by far the best of the three.

Like Compass, the Patriot is front-wheel drive or available with one of two four-wheel drive systems, dubbed Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II. Only the Freedom II comes with low-range gearing for serious off-road use and is “Trail Rated.” Jeep says the system is for true off-road driving — traversing steep grades, climbing rocks or logs and even leaving terra firma, wheels spinning in the air.

Trail rated means that it can be driven on the legendary Rubicon Trail in northern California where Jeep vehicles are tested to qualify for the rating. No Compass model has the designation.

Visually, the Patriot can be mistaken for nothing but a Jeep and most resembles the classic Jeep Cherokee that was discontinued in 2001. Jeep maintains the six-bar grille, round headlights, straight windshield, standard roof rack, boxy side view and the clamshell hood.

Inside, the standard vinyl front seats are comfortable with good support. Rear seat room is tight especially given the small amount of foot room. Optional on the Sport model is the anti-stain, anti-static, anti-odor and anti-discoloration YES Essentials seat fabric that is the best choice for those with young kids or pets. Leather and heated seats are standard on the Limited trim models. Heated seats are optional on Sport models with cloth seats. Power seats are unavailable for either model.

The steering wheel tilts, but doesn’t telescope. Visibility is good. Interior plastic and trim looks appropriate, not cheap like we find in most vehicles with all hard plastic dash material.

Patriot comes in two models, Sport and Limited, which are nearly identical, visually. Limited has 17-inch alloy wheels; Sport 16-inch steel wheels.

The Sport model is the least expensive and has crank windows and no air conditioning, but does come with antilock brakes, brake assist, a five-speed manual shifter and AM/FM/CD stereo. The Limited starts at $20,240 including shipping. Four-wheel drive is available on either model for an additional $1,800, and an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) is $1050.

Two engines are available in the Patriot, both 4-cylinder. The base engine is a 2.0-liter 158-horsepower, the other a 2.4-liter 172-horsepower. I drove models with both engines and transmissions and highly recommend the larger engine and 5-speed manual shifter.

I’ve never liked the CVT, and it’s the only automatic transmission offered in the Patriot. Jeep claims their version of the CVT is superior to others but it still felt like driving a car with a bad clutch. The never-shifting CVT just keeps revving, with the raucous four-cylinder just the other side of the firewall begging for mercy. I wished for a traditional four- or five-speed automatic.

Other than a buzzy engine under full throttle with the CVT, I thought the Patriot was remarkably quiet. I spent an equal amount of time on paved road and trying some moderate off-roading — enough to bounce off the steel skid plate and put the rear wheels in the air on some trails and boulder-strewn creek beds just south of Payson. I doubt many Patriot owners would put their vehicle through this kind of terrain, but came away thoroughly impressed with what the little guy could handle.

Standard safety features include electronic stability control with roll mitigation, traction control, front and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats, and front seat-mounted airbags are optional. Patriot has not yet been crash tested.

The moderately priced Patriot offers a solid choice for buyers of “cute-utes,” those like the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. While there is certainly some formidable competition in this growing market segment, Patriot will leave them all behind when the pavement ends.