Jeep's five-door Patriot was introduced in 2006 as a 2007 model-year offering, undergoing a mid-cycle tweak in 2009. During the current 2011 model year, parent company Chrysler Group LLC adds interior and suspension upgrades before calling it a day. Patriot competes in the compact SUV/crossover segment, booming in popularity during the past half decade. Patriot is relatively inexpensive and built for adventure.
Construction is based on a car platform. Most hard-core off-road SUVS, derive their strength from truck-based underpinnings, although Patriot is available with a four-wheel-drive low-grade transfer case, something most compact crossovers shy away from.
For those on a budget, the five-seat Patriot checks in as the lowest-priced Jeep; about $3,000 less than the shorter statured, Jeep Compass which starts just a hair under $20,000. However, with options and off-road packages, Patriot's bottom line easily swells.
Patriot along with Compass and the Dodge Caliber are assembled at Chrysler's Belvidere Assembly Plant, 30 minutes northwest of Elgin along Interstate 90 in Boone County. The facility opened in 1965 and employs approximately 2,300 workers filling two shifts. Last fall, Chrysler Group LLC announced a $600 million expansion at the plant while the state of Illinois promised a $62 million incentive package filled with tax credits and job training provisions.
Despite a substantial fusion of cash, the current Belvidere builds are scheduled to end production later this year as new ownership readies for a revamped vehicle lineup. Italian automaker Fiat owns a 20 percent stake in Chrysler and has management oversight after a short, messy, two-year relationship with private equity firm Cerberus. Chrysler and Dodge divisions currently survive without a competent high-mileage compact sedan. Belvidere could be the next production home for such a vehicle, although no official statement has yet been issued. Stay tuned. As for a stylish subcompact, parent company Fiat brings the diminutive 500 (already on sale in Europe) to the states later this year.
Patriot offers two four-cylinder engines. A 2.0-liter, 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine delivers 158 horsepower while a 2.4-liter I-4 generates 172 horses. Both require regular, 87-octane fuel to top off a 13.5-gallon tank.
Three trims are available: Sport, Latitude and Latitude X. All come with front-wheel drive or 4 x 4 four-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder is standard in two-wheel -drive Sport and Latitude while the 2.4-liter four comes standard 4 x 4 Sport, 4 x 4 Latitude and both 2 x 2 and 4 x 4 Latitude X models.
Both engines come with a five-speed manual transmission standard. Optional is Chrysler's second-generation, continuously variable transmission (CVT2). This type of transmission replaces the conventional four or five-speed automatic, providing lighter weight and an infinite number of forward gear ratios eliminating the sensation of up or down shift 'jolt.' This systems help improve fuel economy approximately seven percent above a traditional four-speed automatic. Two different four-wheel (4 x 4) systems are offered: Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II.
Freedom Drive I is designed with most Suburban Chicago residents in mind as it's capable of handling on-road snow and ice with a full-time, active four-wheel drive system. It also features a four-wheel lock mode for deep snow and assorted low-traction conditions. Freedom Drive II is for macho off-roading and includes a low-range transfer case, skid plates, hill descent control, hill start assist, all-terrain tires and tow hooks. Patriots with Freedom Drive II earn Jeep's 'Trail Rated' star of approval.
At 173.8 inches long, Patriot is about five-and-a-half inches shorter than Honda's CRV (179.3 total inches), the compact SUV segment sales leader. Visually, Patriot takes some cues from the venerable Wrangler. A tall silhouette along with squared-off shoulders creates unmistakable Jeep DNA. Aerodynamic styling takes a back seat to a more militaristic appeal. Patriot includes Jeep's body-colored seven-slot grille flanked by circular headlights. Square, side view mirrors are supersized for a compact vehicle, but don't sport secondary blinkers. A mast-type radio antenna is also a throw back of sorts. Trapezoidal wheel arches incorporate a bold flair. Black cladding along the bottom fenders, doors, back and front ends help absorb small stone and rock pings. Fog lamps are now in-board mounted. Taller, upright tail light housing flanks the hatch. Side windows, including static cargo-region windows between the C and D pillars, incorporate square designs. Shoppers choose among seven exterior colors.
Jeep supplied a Latitude X 4 x 4 with a $23,895 base price. After adding a $1,100 CVT2 transmission, $1,195 preferred option package (side air bags, roof rails, and security alarm), $225 pearl coat paint, $665 radio upgrade and $700 destination charge, the bottom line ended at $27,800. Starting price for a Sport 2 x 2 is $15,995.
Interior updates include softer padding on front arm rests and center console. Heated front seats come standard in Latitude and Latitude X. Most rivals in this segment incorporate softer touches on the dashboard and overall interior; but then again, Jeep is more about back-to-basics. Jeep has installed more sound-deadening materials in and under the vehicle so conversations may continue on or off road. Above the nicely-sized, single-unit glove box is a nifty beveled upper region where water bottles and small purses can be stowed. Ventilation controls include three large, easy-to-grab, user-friendly dials. Above is a media center with CD player, MP3 support and audio jack. Sirius Satellite radio is optional (with one-year free subscription) in Latitude and standard in Latitude X. Chrysler's hand-free Uconnect cell phone connectivity with Bluetooth is optional across the board. In-dash navigation with a 6.5-inch touch screen is available in Latitude X. Several option groups are available.
The three-spoke steering wheel with brushed aluminum accents includes standard cruise control functions. Also featured are Chrysler's handy, finger-tip controls on the back side to easily adjust volume or change station presets. The manually-adjusting steering column (with ignition cylinder) includes a right-side stalk controlling standard front and rear wipers. The flat, nothing-but-the-facts-ma'am instrument panel includes two flat center, circular analog gauges (with digital readouts along the bottom) each flanked by a smaller circular gauge. Manual roll-down windows come standard in Sport. Power versions are found in the upper trims and optional in Sport. Inline cup holders and hand-operated parking brake are found in between front buckets.
Careful when entering the second row. Rear doors swing open only about 35 degrees. This narrow leg entry makes for some twisty maneuvers. While Jeep promotes Patriot as a five seater, two adults fit most optimally in back (with 60/40 split seatbacks) thanks to generous head room.
The manually-operating rear hatch, hinged at the top, opens up from the bottom with enough head clearance for those six-feet, one inches and shorter. Closing is made easier via a cup-like scoop built into the doors right-side bottom. The spare tire situates under the flat floor of the cargo region, with 23.0 cubic feet of space behind the second row, a bit less then most rivals. On the passenger side is a handy storage cove for a variety of items.
Jeep's forte is foul-weather readiness and good looks, not necessarily superior fuel mileage numbers. Our 2.4-liter engine with 4 x 4 capabilities combined with CVT included fuel economy numbers of 21 mpg city and 26 highway. While these numbers are lower than most compact crossovers, in the 4 x 4 domain, they're decent. Top fuel economy of 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway is obtained with the 2.0-liter engine combined with CVT2. Don't expect off-road Jeeps to embrace gas-electric hybrid technology in the foreseeable future here in the states. Clean-diesel technology is a better bet. The gas-engine's current powertrain warranty is good for five years or 100,000 miles.
Revised steering and suspension in 2011 help Patriot achieve a very competent on-road ride. The turning radius is strictly average as is breaking distance. The 2.4-liter four cylinder is not as peppy as some competitors. Side curtain air bags, brake assist, traction control and anti-lock brakes come standard. Front-seat-mounted side air bags are optional across the board.
At a glance:
Price as tested: $27,800
Engine: 2.4-liter I-4
Horsepower: 172
City/Highway fuel estimates: 21/26 m.p.g.
Length: 173.8 inches
Wheelbase: 103.7 inches
Curb weight: 3,346 pounds
Assembly: Belvidere, IL.
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