Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot is the first true compact SUV from Jeep. The car based design is never going to make it popular with die hard Jeep fans; however, the production of a compact SUV is essential for economic survival in these modern times. An obvious advantage of the low weight and compact dimensions is fuel economy. The Jeep Patriot Sport has EPA figures of 26mpg city/30mpg highway which makes it the most economical Jeep model by a good margin. Despite the dimensions the interior is reasonably spacious with a decent cargo capacity. However, the interior finish is below class average (a common problem with many Jeep models) and the use of cheap looking hard plastics and unappealing textures is unacceptable, particularly when you consider the competition. Despite this, the actual build quality itself feels solid and well made. The 4 cylinder 2.4L engine provides brisk performance despite a relatively modest output of 172HP (helped by low kerb weight). The 5 speed manual transmission takes some getting used to as it is rubbery and vague in action. Most owners will no doubt opt for the CVT transmission. The Patriot may have a "retro" look but it comes with all the latest safety equipment as standard and actually obtained better results than many of the larger Jeep models in crash safety testing.