2009 Jeep Patriot Review

The Jeep Patriot has a wonderful name, and I'm sure it sells many units based solely on that attraction. For a compact SUV that is based on the Dodge Caliber and the Jeep Compass, Patriot is probably the benefactor of the passable shortcomings on both vehicles. This year's version gets attractive upgrades while it also manages to deliver better than average interior room.

The 2009 Jeep Patriot is a likable four-wheel-drive SUV that delivers good interior spaces, a quiet cabin and it holds its own for engine power in a competitive compact SUV segment. Without a doubt, the revisions for 2009 ramp it up to a level exceeding the previous two year's models.

The really attractive thing about the Jeep Patriot is the affordable price. The Patriot is offered in Sport and Limited trims in both front-wheel and four-wheel drive. My Sport tester had a base price of $18,540. The final price got jacked-up a bit with some impressive option packages that pushed the cost a bit out of many buyers' range at $24,015.

I've driven several Patriots over the last few years and overall the 2009 Jeep Patriot is a lot quieter and has dramatic exterior changes that really do make it an improvement over the models launched two years ago.

On the outside, Jeep's signature 'boxy' styling immediately reminds one of the original Cherokees. I'm not a big fan of 'boxy' as a style statement, but for some reason it really works for me on this Patriot. It could be the smaller dimensions, 174 inches long by 69 inches wide. Patriot also doesn't ride as high, 66 inches, as many of the other SUVs and that gives it a planted stance rather than a top-heavy look.

The vertically-slated Jeep grille is the most recognizable styling cue on the Patriot. The two large round headlamps are retro in their approach while a nice aluminum bumper guard framed the lower sill below the grille and headlamps. It is nothing fancy, but it is wholly Jeep.

Fender flairs are not obnoxiously bulging from the sides and this model manages to give the Patriot a sleeker profile rather than a massive off-road rider. Truth be told, the Patriot can leave the pavement, but it is not its real forte'.

I really felt the new Patriot sounded quieter than previous models. Jeep says the quieter cabin is the result of additional noise reducing changes to the engine compartment, exhaust tuning and added interior floor insulation. Whatever it is - it works.

The new Patriot sports an all-new instrument panel featuring attractive chrome appointments around the shifter and doors. The climate control vents and cluster rings look great with this treatment. Visibility is very good for the driver. Patriot has big glass all around and it helps open up the cabin. The split-lid center console has plenty of storage space and larger knobs and dials make everything easy to reach and adjust. The Patriot's padded armrests in the doors provide additional comfort, though they are sparce compared to other models.

Driver and passenger comfort is going to be based on the size of occupants. Long legs may not have as much legroom in the second row as one might like. Headroom was good throughout the cabin. The 5-passenger cabin easily accommodates four adults or three kids in the second row. Everything folds flat to deliver a spacious cargo hold.

My Patriot Sport tester featured a 16-valve, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder powerplant delivering 172 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. My tester had 4-wheel drive, which will help deal with Chicago's wonderful winter challenges. Expect an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 miles per gallon city and 22 mpg highway. For those not looking for the 4-wheel-drive option, the 2-wheel-drive Patriot offers a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 23/27 mpg with 158 hp and 141 lb.-ft. of torque.

A revision in suspension tuning makes the new Patriot a much more comfortable vehicle for the short city rides as well as the longer highway trips. Towing capacity on this compact vehicle is rated at just 2,000 pounds.

The Patriot has a great name and it is really a good value if you can stay away from some of the upgrade packages. Once you start adding the options on, you will find a final price that brings a lot of other competitors into play.