The Jeep Patriot Looks Like A Winner

The Jeep Patriot looks like a winner. It offers features that will please anyone on the go.

The Patriot is a new type of Jeep, and is described as "meant more for the urban jungle: priced low, with fuel economy a priority."

You can get optional all-wheel drive for going off-road. Now you can see those trails leading up off into the hills and think to yourself, "I could go there." You don't have to stay on the boring paved roads if you don't want to. Go anywhere your heart desires. And be ready for any weather - rain, snow, sleet, ice. All-wheel drive will keep you going. I still like my 4-wheel drive option on my Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. When the streets are slick, I kick it into 4-wheel drive and I keep on going. Other drivers are slipping and sliding, trying to get going from the icy intersections. I'm thinking, "Do you need a push? I could get you going."

Or stick with the 2-wheel drive which comes standard on the Jeep Patriot for that traditional driving feel and the best fuel economy. Many SUV drivers buy off-road capability they never use. If you are a realist, and know you'll never need all-wheel drive, you have the choice, and choices are good.

The fuel economy is great for an SUV. The 2010 model is advertised at 28 Highway - Best-in-class MPG. Add a few hypermiling techniques and you can get that up even more, saving you lots of dollars at the gas pump.

The base price starts out at $18,425. For an SUV, that's not bad. You get a lot of convenience and usability for that price.

For a great detailed look at the new 2010 Jeep Patriot, go to the Jeep website. There you can click on the colors and see it change into that color right before your eyes. Or click on the 360 degree view and rotate it to see it from all angles. Or look at the interior from all angles. Or if you like, take a look at any of the other Jeep models on the same site. You can find all you need to know at one place.

Jeep Patriot ranks 24 out of 27

According to U.S. News & World Report Rankings & Reviews, the 2009 Jeep Patriot ranks 24 out of 27 affordable compact SUVs. The ranking is based on an analysis of 45 published reviews and test drives, as well as reliability and safety data.

Two important characteristics that make the Patriot appealing are its affordability and good off-road capabilities. Since it functions as a good vehicle for daily comutes and a competent off-road SUV, the Patriot is a good value. The Jeep Compass is mechanically similar, but the Patriot feels more like an authentic Jeep, according to Consumer Guide. 

Some of the downsides: reviewers continue to criticize the uncomfortable rear seats and optional Continuously Variable Transmission paired with a sometimes lacking engine. Jeep is working on these complaints, adding a new instrument panel and extra features.

Gas mileage is a plus also. Along with the Compass, the Patriot is Jeep's most fuel-effecient vehicle coming in at 23/28 mpg, placing it near the top of the small SUV Class.

Jeep continues to be a great force in the SUV department. Go Jeep!

Choosing a Jeep

With seven models to choose from, how does a Jeep-lover choose which Jeep to get? That is a tough question. Jeeps range from the smaller Wrangler up to a 7-passenger Commander, so there is a wide-range of Jeeps to consider depending on what one is looking for.

Most of the Jeep models have been around for a while. I shared a review of the Commander in my last post. But I hadn't heard much about the other newer models yet, the Compass and Patriot. Today I ran across an article from The Gazette comparing these two. Here are a few of the highlights.

The article was titled "Patriot will go to battle on or off the road." That already tells me a lot of what I want to know. The Compass, however, doesn't quite match up. It comes with standard front-wheel drive which provides enhanced traction in slippery conditions. But "expecting it to be suitable for off-road use is wishful thinking." That's all I need to know. If you are looking for off-road, don't choose a Compass. It looks nice here against the background of the hills, but it doesn't sound like you want to try driving in them very much unless you stay on the main roads.

It seems like the Patriot will fill the bill a little more. The Gazette says, The 2008 Patriot Limited 4X4 is a step up the ladder from the entry-level Compass, slipping in between it and the Liberty. It too has questionable off-road capabilities unless you opt for the optional Freedom-Drive II four-wheel-drive system." Well, here's my question. Who in the world would want a Jeep without 4-wheel drive?

The writer of the article did some trail driving and said it handled the challenge. What he most appreciated was its ability to dig through snow. Living in Eastern Nebraska, that's one of the things I really like about my Jeeps. Again, I say, who would want a Jeep without 4-wheel drive? That's when they get fun. I love watching cars and pickups sitting there spinning in snow and ice while I just drive off like I'm on a dry road. That's fun, fun, fun!

So I guess the end result is, if you are just going to stay on the road, a Compass will work fine and will provide a smoother ride and better fuel efficiency. If you might head to the hills, a Patriot will be a little better. However, for real off-roading, it would be better to stick to the tougher models. Again, I really like my Liberty and Grand Cherokee! But I haven't driven any others. I'm sure I would like them as well, as long as they have 4-wheel drive of course!