Jeep Patriot - Is it really that bad?

Black_Dog · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:47 am

The Truth About Cars published my road test review of the Jeep Patriot.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=3299

Unfortunately, I did not get to test it off-road. I am curious to see how the CVT performs compared to a true low-range gear box.

Overall, I would say that it has no advantages over the Liberty except maybe rear seat knee room and gas mileage.

MacAttack · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:12 am

I test drove 2 or 3 of them. I liked them.

Also if you read the user reviews of the Compass which is basically the same you'll find that most people really like it.
Reviewers are all over that place with opinions. You'll read one that loves it, then you go to another page and read one that hates it.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:20 am

I know some folks that have been beating the crap out of them in the deserts of Az. and they say they are capable (for what they are) and a blast to drive.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:27 pm

Nice write up. We drove one yesterday and there are a lot of good things. I really liked that the rear passengers have plenty of foot room and that the rear seat both reclines and folds waaaaay flater than a KJ. It lost us on the test drive. There are spunky 4 cylinders and this isn't one of them. I don't think I'd want to get used to the lag when you hit the gas pedal. Too bad, because it was cool up until then. (and not much room to ever add bigger tires easier)

FastTRX · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:29 pm

CaKJFreedom wrote:

Nice write up. We drove one yesterday and there are a lot of good things. I really liked that the rear passengers have plenty of foot room and that the rear seat both reclines and folds waaaaay flater than a KJ. It L.O.S.T. us on the test drive. There are spunky 4 cylinders and this isn't one of them. I don't think I'd want to get used to the lag when you hit the gas pedal. Too bad, because it was cool up until then. (and not much room to ever add bigger tires easier)

That answered the question I was going to ask. That would be the only downside to owning one...the I4. Im sure it gets good mpg but I could never get used to it.

I have seen that article but I didn't get the chance to read it. They had some cool pictures from what I did see.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:32 pm

I would think the manual would be better, there wasn't one to try. I don't miss driving a stick around here anyway....

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:41 pm

I just don't know why they didn't use the 2.7L V6 that comes in the Charger (smallest engine available). That 6 would probably return the same MPG and would run much better. In person, they look pretty good but the tires look tiny. 190 hp/ 190 Torque would do well in the Patriot...

wendell · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:33 am

The manaul version would loose the low range. I think the patroit is jeeps answer to the crossover market and still stays true to it's heritage. Kudo's to jeep on that one. The compass struggles in the looks department, if it was made true to the concept, it would have a sporty appeal, instead of that bulky frontend. If they would streamline the compass a bit with a make over, it could do well, or maybe better than it is. Times are changing and jeep has to change with them, or they will cease to exsist. They still have a good lineup of offroad capable vehicles that meet todays standards for comfort, power, and mpg in the case of the patroit, good job jeep corp.

Albert · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:58 pm

Very nice write up.

Sad to say, that it does not have a real off road option package such as a v6 with at least the command trac if not the selec trac which would at least give it the low range. Oh, and rear wheel drive with a sra and............ok., now I'm changing it all around...............

Having said that, I see where they're going with this in appealing to non off road folks and compete with other non off road crv's and rav 4 type vehicles that also do not have a low range. They have to stay in business. I hope it works and they sell.

I do like the looks of it better than it's ugly brother Compass.

I'll be keeping my KJ for a while I guess. I'd have a JK, but I don't understand why it won't tow anything (only 3,500 pounds).

jerbacher · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:11 pm

Maybe having the Patriot and Compass in the lineup will keep people from wrongly comparing the Liberty to Rav-4, CRV etc. After seeing a vehicle in the lineup that does compete with those cars, I think people would rethink that comparison. Maybe gives KJ a little more credibility?

wendell · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:56 pm

Don't kid yourself that the patroit won't wheel, you don't have to have rear wheel drive to wheel or a t-case, just some ground clearence, belly protection and traction. It would probobly work fine for the kind of wheeling 80% of us do. It's not a rock buggy, but neither is the kj. We tend to be to impressiomable by the offroad mags we get, I get 5 myself. They give you this vision of a 50,000 offroad machine that you have to build to wheel. BS, just grab any ole jeep and head to the trails, if it won't go, try another path untill it does. Wheeling is made more compilated than it has to be. You don't have to climb cliffs in order to enjoy the sport or have fun. The patroit will be fine for wheeling the trails and having a blast.I use to wheel an escape for "pete's sakes", so I know it can be done. When life hands you lemons, make lenonade. I'ld wheel a compass with some bfg's just to see where it would go, or wouldn't. For those who are into extrme wheeling, no the patroit wouldn't be for you, but thats what the xj's and wranglers are for and you still have to build them up as well. Jeep needed the patroit, jury is still out on the compass, but time will tell.

Jeep Patriot - Is it really that bad?

Who is online