Jeep's off-road reputation finds common ground here in the greater Chicago area.
Jeep's compact Patriot is one of three vehicles assembled at Chrysler Corp. LLC's sprawling and ever-growing (now 280 acres) Belvidere facility east of Rockford. The plant, a short 40 minute drive from Elgin, is one of three automotive assembly plants on line in the Prairie State. Opened in 1965, the plant currently assembles not only the Patriot crossover/SUV, but its platform-sharing Dodge Compass crossover and popular four-door Dodge Dart which debuted in the 2013 model year utilizing different underpinnings.
A year after Italian automaker Fiat took a majority control of Chrysler in 2009, the Belvidere plant received a major $700 million influx (skylights and all) to welcome the compact Dart to its production family with new machinery and tooling. In January of this year, Fiat acquired the remaining stake of Chrysler Corp. LLC from a retiree trust affiliated with the United Auto Workers union.
Parked side by side, Patriot stands taller with square shoulders while Compass incorporates a more rounded exterior. Both are five-door hatchbacks. Patriot sports round headlights buffeting Jeep's seven-slate grille. The grille's not only a Jeep trademark, but tilts old-school with longer horizontal slates, unlike the recently introduced, 2014 Cherokee grille with its scaled-down, more rounded interpretation. Patriot is best served with a 'tall standing' compact hatchback designate.
Patriot's U.S. sales in calendar year 2013 totaled 75,797, up a healthy 22 percent from the previous 12-month total of 62,010. Taken as a whole, total Jeep Division U.S. sales were up three percent in 2013 compared with 2012. Globally, Jeep continues gaining traction with a record 731,565 units sold in 2013, besting the previous high in 2012 of 701,626.
For 2014, Patriot updates remain evolutionary rather than revolutionary. A new six-speed automatic transmission is on board for most trims replacing a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Also, front side air bags now come standard across the trim board. Patriot came into the Jeep fold in December of 2006 as an all-new 2007 model-year offering.
Patriot qualifies a 'tweener,' falling somewhere between its slightly smaller all-purpose, off-road, body-on-frame Jeep Wrangler and a plethora of compact, on-road intended crossovers currently flooding the market. While Patriot is available with off-road-type nuances, including a four-wheel-drive system with low range, its unibody design (a car underbody, not a truck-like, body-on-frame structure) offers a smoother on-pavement pavement experience.
With a ground clearance from the axles down of more than 10 inches, Jeep's Wrangler can handle tougher terrain. By comparison, ground clearance of a Patriot with available off-road packaging is 9.1 inches (with 8.1 inches standard). Both vehicles, however, offer nicely elevated seating positions.
Lots of mix and match opportunities are on tap including three trim levels (Sport, Latitude and Limited), two engine choices and three transmission selections (five-speed manual comes standard). While two-wheel drive comes standard, two 4 x 4 option packages are available: Freedom I designed for on-road hazards including this season's deep snow drifts and Freedom II, (including hill decent control) the deep wood's off-road choice. Both four-wheel-drive packages include electronic controlled coupling with four-wheel-drive lock.
Neither of the two off-road packages are available with the base 2.0 engine cranking out 158 horsepower as folks must upgrade with the 2.4-liter four cylinder and its 172 horsepower output. The 2.0-liter engine comes standard in Sport and Latitude while the 2.4 is a Limited staple.
While the Sport trim starts at a very attractive $16,990, it's worth remembering air conditioning and power windows are optional in this base offering. One must move up to the mid-trim Latitude to enjoy both those features standard. Pricing adds up quickly as 11 different option packages are available.
Indeed, our mid-level Latitude 4 x4 with optional 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic transmission started at $23,795. Options included a $795 all-weather group (all-terrain tires, tow hooks, engine block heater), $595 Convenience Group (electronic vehicle information center, adjustable roof rail crossbars, security alarm), $696 Uconnect touch screen and $495 Uconnect voice command and one year satellite radio subscription. With a $995 destination charge, the bottom line ended at $27,370.
Inside, Patriot continues its utilitarian theme common since its inception. Three large, well-marked circular dials monitor fan speed, direction and temperature. Above the far right glove box is a hollowed out area also useful in stowing ever-growing amounts of stuff. In fact, Patriot does a nice job of creating hubs of storage for portable electronics and other do-dads throughout the vehicle. Dual in-line beverage holders nicely illuminate at after dark. Nearby is the automatic transmission shifter, with a half-moon design connecting the dash with the region between the front bucket seats.
The traditional instrument panel includes two half-circle analog gauges flanked by smaller three-quarter-shaped gauges below a small screen. The workman-like dash and doors include a blue-color-type finish, not so warm-and-fussy but rather hard-nosed. In-dash navigation remains optional only in the top-tier Limited trim. The mechanical ignition cylinder utilizes a key, rather than a push-button electronic design.
The rear hatch, hinged at the top with a standard wiper, opens up from the bottom with a low head clearance requiring most full-sized adults to bend down a bit. The four side doors include body-colored, strap-like handles. Squared-off side windows drape lower than what's usually found in today's stable of crossovers or sedans providing decent visibility for drivers. Side-view mirrors also adopt a four-cornered design. The radio antenna is an old-school mast design protruding up from the right-side fender top. Wheel wells incorporate squared, not rounded nuances with the hood that's flat rather than sloping forward.
Patriot, like most Chrysler and Fiat products includes one of the best steering-wheel mounted secondary audio functions. By placing tactile levers behind the three and nine o'clock spokes, fingers can do the walking, easier than if these were found on the wheel's face. One aspect in need of a tweak is the manually-operated steering column which tilts, but neglects to telescope. For taller drivers, this comes into play. Cruise control is found at nine o'clock on the steering wheel's face.
Row two backrests fold down virtually flat onto the seat cushions, via pull straps at the intersection of the cushion and backrest, creating a larger 53.5 cubic foot cargo area (23.0 cubic feet with the second-row prone). Most rivals boast a few more cubics of room with both configurations. When prone, row two best accommodates a pair of riders as the third wheel must startle a floor hump supporting side-by-side beverage holders. Cloth seating surfaces come standard in Sport and Latitude while leatherette adorns Limited. A spare tire situates under the flat cargo floor board.
Patriot prioritizes versatility, fuel economy comes in second. With six-speed automatic transmission, our Latitude 4 x 4 with 2.4-liter engine averaged a rather unimpressive 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Patriot's fuel leader is the front-drive, 2.0-liter coupled with five-speed manual generating 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Unleaded, regular 87-octane fuel fills the 13.5-gallon tank.
The engine noise apparent at highway speeds and below most likely will not detour the off-road and adventurous target market Patriot seeks.
Patriot is a nice option when Chicagoland's hit with a foot of snow.
At a Glance
2014 Jeep PatriotPrice as tested: $27,370
Engine: 2.4-liter, four cylinder
Horsepower: 172
Wheelbase: 103.7 inches
Overall Length: 173.8 inches
Overall Width: 69.2 inches
Overall Height: 65.5 inches
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway
Curb weight: 3,359 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Five year/100,000 mile