With its boxy exterior, classic Jeep design, and legendary traction ground clearance, the jeep patriot is a good choice for those looking for a moderately priced SUV. However, compared to the Jeep Renegade and Cherokee, its outdated drivetrain, a dated interior, and lack of modern safety features are a drawback.
Patriot models are available with either a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 172-hp 2.4-liter engine. Front-wheel drive is standard, but a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is offered. Those who want to tackle the trails need to option up with the off-road-oriented Freedom Drive II system.
Features
If you’re a car shopper in Butler, Kinnelon, or Bloomingdale looking for a reliable and versatile vehicle, you may be considering the Jeep Patriot. While this compact SUV doesn’t have the luxury and style of a more advanced model, it offers a variety of features that will make your drive safer and more comfortable.
The Patriot is built on the same platform as the Dodge Caliber and combines macho Jeep styling with enough softness to be a practical family car. It also has a spacious interior, a good selection of safety technology, and a long list of available amenities.
The standard rear seat folds easily and quickly with a 60/40 split, and upper-level models come with reclining seats. When folded, the Patriot has 53.5 cubic feet of cargo space. This is about as much as you’ll find in most compact SUVs.
Safety
The Jeep Patriot has a well-rounded safety package that includes standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and occupant-sensing airbags. In addition, the Patriot offers an electronic roll mitigation system that feels whether a vehicle will roll over and applies the brakes to prevent that from happening.
The 2015 Patriot earned four stars in government crash tests and a five-star rating for side-impact protection. However, it’s a little short of the standards we expect to see in newer vehicles.
The Patriot lacks many of the latest safety features found in newer vehicles, like forward collision warning and lane departure warning systems. It also lacks the most popular technology features, such as a 6.5-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth phone connectivity.
Fuel economy
The Jeep Patriot is a small sport-utility vehicle that can be customized to suit your preferences. With its two 4-cylinder engines and a choice of front- or four-wheel drive systems, the Patriot offers plenty of off-road capability and is available in three grades.
The Patriot’s on-demand four-wheel-drive system responds to wheel slip by automatically transferring power from the front wheels to the rear. This minimizes power-robbing friction and inertia, improving fuel economy by operating only when necessary.
In addition to a standard 5-speed manual transmission, the Patriot offers an optional Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT). CVT2 is Chrysler Group’s second-generation CVT that has been calibrated for good engine response and precise ratio control to improve fuel economy by 6-8 percent over a traditional four-speed automatic transaxle.
The Patriot can be equipped with the standard 2.4-liter World Engine or a more powerful 172-horsepower 2.0-liter. Both engines produce 23 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway.
Performance
The Jeep Patriot is a practical, family-friendly crossover SUV that offers plenty of room and comfort. It also has excellent fuel economy ratings and an impressive array of safety, convenience, and technology features.
The Patriot is available with two inline-4 engines. One is a 2.0-liter with 158 horsepower and 141 lb.-ft. Of torque, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The other is a 2.4-liter that delivers 172 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. The 2.0-liter is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and can be equipped with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
In terms of performance, the Patriot doesn’t feel as strong as some of the top-selling small SUVs in its class. It doesn’t have the torque of the Honda CR-V or Nissan Rogue, and neither of the available 4-cylinder engines feels particularly powerful.
