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Christopher Jackson | 3/19/2008 | Jeep
Looking like a seven-eighths scale Cherokee, the Jeep Patriot hits the streets at an uncertain time for SUVs. The full-size Jeep Commander launched into the teeth of rising fuel costs and a shrinking full-size SUV market in 2006, and sales have been less than stellar. Now the conservatively-styled Patriot seems to be making the same mistake.
The 2008 Jeep Patriot's got a better chance at success, however. The blocky looks are deceiving, because this compact SUV is actually the least expensive in the Jeep lineup, and it gets 30 mpg on the freeway. Why, that's not environment-unfriendly at all! Better yet, although the Patriot has very un-Jeep-like unibody construction and an available continuously-variable transmission (CVT), it's Trail Rated just like big brothers the Wrangler and Liberty. This Jeep can hold its own on the trail as well as around town.
The most obvious link to Jeep's heritage is the design, whose angular lines, round headlights and seven-slot grille are clear links to the Patriot's heritage. It's got a long hood compared to other compact SUVs, giving it a somewhat rustic feel. The boxy body is designed to be cargo-friendly, and big bumpers front and rear convey strength.
Actually, of the Chrysler triplets on this platform--Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Patriot--the 2008 Jeep Patriot is the most fun to drive. It's kind of a blocky, lightweight take on a Ford Escape, with good manners around town and just enough space to be versatile. Independent suspension is used at all four corners, with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear. The economy-car underpinnings may limit ultimate off-road ability, but they do enable the Patriot to return 30-mpg fuel economy on the freeway.
An economy-car powertrain doesn't hurt, either. Four-wheel drive Patriots get a 172 horsepower 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine. Variable valve timing is used on both the intake and exhaust to improve economy and smoothness. Two-wheel drive models get an equally efficient 2.0 liter, 158-horse engine. In addition to the standard five-speed manual transmission, the Patriot also shares a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with the Dodge Caliber. The CVT helps to improve midrange fuel economy and responsiveness, though its monotone engine note takes some getting used to.
Like several of its stablemates, the Patriot is available with a choice of four-wheel drive systems, with and without a trail-friendly Low range. Equipped with the low-range Freedom Drive II Off-road Package, the 2008 Jeep Patriot bears Jeep's respected "Trail Rated" badge, letting the world know that this little Jeep is ready to go pretty much anywhere that the more expensive Jeeps can. For drivers who don't plan to go off-roading, the dual-range transfer case isn't necessary and Freedom Drive I offers decent snowy-weather traction.
For the rough stuff, the Freedom Drive II-equipped Patriot also features skid plates, a full-size spare tire, tow hooks, 17" wheels and fog lamps. It has earned its Trail Rated badge partly by being an inch taller than other Patriots, giving it nine inches of ground clearance. Additional waterproofing and a high-mounted air intake allow so-equipped Patriots to ford up to 19" of water without problems. The standard anti-lock brakes also feature a rough-road detection system and a brake-traction control logic that enables the 2008 Jeep Patriot to keep moving forward in heavy-articulation situations off-road. Electronic stability control and roll mitigation systems are also included, to help keep the Patriot steady and stable during emergency maneuvers.
Inside, the 2008 Jeep Patriot shares more with the larger Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee than it does with the iconic Wrangler. The dash has many shared angles and components with the Caliber. The Spartan nature of the interior works better here than it does in its Dodge sibling, however--after all, the Patriot is just a Jeep, while Dodge's economy car has to do battle with ultra-refined compacts like the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Rabbit. If the Patriot's a bit rough around the edges, that's okay--that makes it seem tougher. In this application, the plastic inside isn't "cheap," it's "rugged." And for all of that frugality, the Patriot is no stripped-out sport-ute. Side airbags are standard, and there are many cool features on the options list, including a sliding center armrest with an iPod holder, a 115-volt power outlet in the console, swing-out speakers in the tailgate, a Boston Acoustics premium sound system, a navigation system and a plastic cargo area floor for easy cleaning after hauling a dirty load.
The Patriot makes a great deal more sense than the ugly-duckling Compass. The look is immediately recognizable, the proportions are sensible and the pricing is fantastic. The Patriot starts at just $14,985. My tester was of course well-equipped; the Patriot Limited with four-wheel drive starts at $21,175. The 2008 Jeep Patriot I drove came with a premium sound system, off-roading package including the CVT with off-road package, a sunroof and a navigation. The final tally was still reasonable; at $26,900, the Patriot is still a nicely priced compact SUV.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4
Length: 173.6 in.
Width: 69.1 in.
Height: 65.7 in.
Wheelbase: 103.7 in.
Curb weight: 3250 lb.
Cargo space: 54.2 cu.ft. (all seats folded)
Base price: $21,175
Price as tested: $26,900
Engine: 2.4 liter DOHC 16V inline four-cylinder
Drivetrain: continuously variable automatic, four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 172 @ 6000
Torque: 165 @ 4400
Fuel capacity: 13.6 lb.
Est. mileage: 21/23
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