Jeep Patriot

JEEP PATRIOT PROS AND CONS

Jeep has added a new compact SUV to their line of smaller cars. The Jeep Patriot’s traditional four-door body style gives it a serious, no-nonsense 4x4 look. Its appearance sets the Jeep Patriot apart from its competitors in the SUV department. With a fold-over hood, upright windshields, and round headlights, the Jeep Patriot even looks like a remodeled version of Jeep’s old Cherokee. Even the interior gives off an air of an upfront solemnity, leaving the unnecessary frills out of the picture.

The Jeep Patriot naturally inherited the undeniable and well-known off-road excellence of Jeeps. This means that the Jeep Patriot, as an SUV, is also designed for traction and water fording. Needless to say, the Jeep Patriot has an outstanding off-road capability, being a Jeep vehicle. It is equipped with lots of insulation for a quieter ride, and the excellent seat positions make for a comfortable Jeep Patriot experience. With admirable body control, the Jeep Patriot is safe and responds smoothly to bumps on the road. Muddy rides are also not a problem with this Jeep wagon.

Unquestionably, the Jeep Patriot is designed for the family market. Its off-road stability, serious and compact look, enjoyable and less bumpy ride, and even the price definitely had safety and practicality in mind. Sure enough, the Jeep Patriot was awarded five-star side-impact crash rating for its safety and security. Car magazines, however, comment that you will most likely find the Jeep Patriot at a grocery store parking lot than on the trail, despite its off-road capability. To maximize its abilities, families who should buy the Jeep Patriot should also, once in a while, go looking for adventure. But it is undeniable that the Jeep Patriot may be more widely accepted by drivers in more refined driving environments, as compared to the acceptance received by most other Jeep vehicles.

At a price dropping a little too low out of competitors’ ranges, the Jeep Patriot is well-priced for the value it offers. It certainly gives the family hatchback and small SUV segments a run for their money. Next to the Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, and Ford Escape, it is the Jeep Patriot’s off-road capability is the bonus that makes the difference.

On the other hand, the low base price of the Jeep Patriot only covers the standard package. This includes vinyl-covered seats, a two-wheel drive system, side curtain airbags, stability and traction control system, and anti-lock brakes. The standard Jeep Patriot still runs on manual transmission and has manual locks and windows. Not a wholly great package, but acceptable and economical in the least. It’s a good thing, then, that this basic Jeep Patriot is already equipped with a 172-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that is good enough for a powerful drive, although still falling short of the usual power output of other, similar cars.

Despite the seriousness of the car, it also has other interesting features that Jeep Patriot buyers may avail of. The Jeep Patriot Off-Road Package includes a driver-side seat adjuster, leather seats, engine oil cooler, skid plates, and a full size spare tire. Other Jeep Patriot upgrades and accessories include tow hooks, fog lamps, speed-sensitive power locks. The Jeep Patriot engine may also be upgraded to a 2.0-liter engine combined with a CVT. These option packages and two optional electronic four-wheel drive systems will raise the Jeep Patriot’s price a little. The first four-wheel drive system is called, quite consistent with the Jeep Patriot’s name, Freedom Drive I. It is geared for on-road drives. The Jeep Patriot Freedom Drive II is designed for off-road use.

Other complaints about the Jeep Patriot include the lack of room in the back seat and unimpressive cabin made of molded plastic. The steering is also a tad too light and seems not to grasp the car’s movement enough, and there is also slight brake resistance. Nonetheless, the Jeep Patriot still managed to recapture bits and pieces of the Jeep’s signature rugged ride.

Over all, the Jeep Patriot’s flexibility is its strongest suit. If you are looking for a safe, reliable family wagon that can also take you on off-road adventures without any problems, the Jeep Patriot is for you. You can take the Jeep Patriot to the city and to the trail, too. It cleans up nicely, too, whether it’s your kid’s mess or the mud, dust and dirt of a trail.