Overview & Reviews

At first glance, the Jeep Patriot crossover evokes the boxy, go-anywhere Jeep Cherokee of old. And that's the way Jeep wants it. But underneath, the Patriot utilizes the same platform as the old, discontinued -- and generally unloved -- Dodge Caliber hatchback. Fundamentally more of an economy car than a real SUV, the Patriot is a tough pill for the Jeep faithful to swallow.

You do get respectable approach and departure angles, ample ground clearance and the availability of a serious four-wheel-drive package that adds low-range gearing and skid plates, among other goodies. But when you get right down to it, there's just not a lot of substance behind the Patriot's bold face. Other vehicles in the segment offer roomier interiors, more standard features, higher fuel economy, stronger performance, superior fit and finish and comparable off-road capability. Overall, we think most shoppers will be better served by looking elsewhere.

Current Jeep Patriot
The Jeep Patriot is a compact crossover available in three main trim levels: Sport, Latitude and Limited. The base Sport doesn't even come with full power accessories or air-conditioning, but it makes do with basics like 16-inch steel wheels, cruise control and a four-speaker sound system. The Latitude adds the Sport's missing features plus alloy wheels, a height-adjustable driver seat and heated front seats. The Limited boasts rear disc brakes (the others get rear drums), leather upholstery and automatic climate control. Options include distinctive flip-down tailgate speakers, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, a 6.5-inch touchscreen and roof rails.

The standard engine for front-wheel-drive Sport and Latitude models is a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 172 hp is optional on those trims and standard on the Limited trim, as well as on all Patriots that have four-wheel drive. The Sport and Latitude come standard with a five-speed manual transmission and are eligible for a six-speed automatic, while the Limited gets the automatic as standard. The limited-edition Altitude and High Altitude sub-trims are equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

There are two four-wheel-drive systems offered. The first, a single-speed system that's technically just all-wheel drive, can be paired with either the manual or six-speed automatic transmission in Sport trim, but the automatic comes standard on the higher trims. Opting for Freedom Drive II four-wheel drive substitutes the CVT but also adds low-range gearing, all-terrain tires, skid plates, hill ascent and descent control, front and rear tow hooks and a full-size spare tire.

Due to its slim profile and high load floor, the Patriot doesn't have a lot of space inside. The rear seats are on the tight side and storage space is limited. The rear seatbacks fold down in a 60/40 split to open up 53.5 cubic feet of storage space, but most rivals offer significantly more.

In reviews, we've found the Jeep Patriot disappointing from behind the wheel. The ride quality is relatively crude, thanks to a suspension that's easily unsettled by imperfect roads, and the cabin is pretty noisy at speed. The 2.4-liter four delivers just adequate acceleration with the manual or six-speed automatic, and it's lethargic with the CVT. The base 2.0-liter four, meanwhile, is underpowered and barely more fuel-efficient than the 2.4. Even models equipped with Freedom Drive II fail to convince, since there are other compact SUVs out there that perform just fine in the dirt while offering a superior experience in civilization. Another major complaint concerns the lackluster quality of the Patriot's interior materials.

Used Jeep Patriot Models
The Jeep Patriot was introduced for 2007. Some features were added a year later, but 2009 saw the first big changes in the form of a new and improved interior. Prior to that, the crummy hard plastics created one of the worst cabins on the market. For 2010, the 158-hp four-cylinder could be paired to the five-speed manual for the first time. These 2007-'10 Patriots lack the upgrades made to the 2011 model, including minor exterior styling changes, improved interior trim, reworked steering and suspension systems, and a taller 4WD ride height. The six-speed automatic didn't appear until the 2014 model year, which is also when front-seat side airbags became standard across the lineup.

User Reviews:

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  Fun to Drive - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By jake - October 21 - 12:36 am

  Had an 06 4runner but this patriot beats it. Better gas mileage and handling ... It really is fun to drive. But I miss the 4runners roll down window on the rear hatch ... Wish Jeep would offer that feature its great for my Labrador and when I visit the local home depot.

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  Very Nice for $19,500 - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Charles - October 15 - 6:23 pm

  For the money you can not beat it. 4wd, very good mpg plenty of room. Looks pretty good too.

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  Would not recommend any Jeep product - 2015 Jeep Patriot
  By Patty - October 15 - 8:16 am

  Jeep has poor service when it comes to recalls. Have only 3700 and already has a recall on the vehicle. After seeing other reviews on here I think we will be trading it in and it wont be on any Chrysler product. Chrysler and their dealerships dont seem to care if your vehicle is fixed or not. They have a bad attitude and could care less if they fix your vehicle.

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  Solid Performer - 2017 Jeep Patriot
  By Al Poplawsky - October 8 - 5:40 pm

  All the professional reviewers trash this car but most of them must not have bothered to drive it. I got the manual transmission for the better fuel economy and it got 25 mpg on the first tank with half highway and half small town driving. Not bad for AWD - beats the old Subaru that died after only 160k miles hands down. Here in the Northwest everyone drives Subarus, I call this the Subaru alternative. Fit and finish both inside and out are excellent. Very solid feeling on the highway - feels like a much larger vehicle, yet very maneuverable in the city. Wind noise is minimal, you do hear the 4 cylinder a little when you put it through its paces, stock tires are terribly noisy. These Goodyear tires rate near the bottom in every category at TireRack, Jeep must have gotten them for free! I got a car that listed at $24,500 for $19,100. It has all the features you need and expect in these times - plus a few - and was $5000-$10,000 less than a similarly equipped Toyota or Honda. A good value in my book! Professional reviewers say they are not reliable, but when I looked at the details for the 2015 it was below average or way below average for repairs in every category. My 6 foot teenager is amazed by the room in the rear seat, says its more than our Dakota crew cab! Not new and not sexy, but solid. After 7200 miles I have not had a single problem or item needing attention from the dealer. We have taken this AWD/4WD vehicle on the worst Idaho forest roads (5 mph) and it performed and handled beautifully! It does not have low range, but is geared low enough already with the manual transmission to have no problems with very low speed rough rocky roads.

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  Love My Patriot - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Jeeper - September 28 - 8:13 pm

  The 2008 Patriot is "most excellent". Considering that I got a relatively maxed out 4x4 limited for $23,500, it is truly an outstanding value. I did choose the 5 speed manual over the automatic and am quite pleased with the result. Handling is nimble and I like the Jeep styling. Have logged over 9K miles in less than 6 months. Had one experience in very slippery snow conditions, and found it had better traction than my 94 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4. Fuel mileage has been 25 - 28 mpg for combined highway/city driving. The Boston acoustic speakers are outstanding - it is terrific for tailgating. Space utilization is excellent. Like the interior materials and they are easy to keep clean.

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  Jeeps rule - 2015 Jeep Patriot
  By ratherbfishn - September 23 - 2:07 am

  First week with new Jeep, snow all week she did great as expected. Plenty of room for four, fun to drive easy to park. Second jeep in the garage one commander and now the patriot.

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  It was trusty... - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By joe_e - September 15 - 2:12 pm

  Drove a 2007 AWD model for 5 years. Note: at no point in time is the machine EVER 4x4. Even when you flip that little switch up, it never goes into a true 4x4. Got it as a daily driver, as my 99 Cherokee was a bit heavy on gas usage. When you buy this vehicle, youre getting exactly what you pay for. The CVT is one of the most worthless inventions for automobiles, mileage notwithstanding. Leave it for ATVs and snowmobiles. It worked well in Wisconsin snow with the AWD, but still was no more than an AWD car, not a Jeep by any stretch of the imagination. It began to be a bit much. Caught fire on some grass, burned the entire machine into a skeleton of itself. Not. A. Jeep.

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  Was I Surprised - 2011 Jeep Patriot
  By goobie2 - August 31 - 5:49 pm

  I bought this car because it was the cheapest 4x4 with some off road capability on the market. I was not expecting much from Chrysler/Jeep & really didnt want to buy anything from them. I test drove it & was impressed so I bought it. WOW!!! Have I ever been surprised & pleased. I had bought a Honda CRV & a Toyota RAV4 a year earlier & wish I had purchased two Patriots instead. The Patriot has performed better than expected, well under all conditions & is a solid vehicle. The only problem I have had was the transmission overheated, but I blame Jeep & the dealer for not notifying me about a needed update for the CVT. Gas mileage is not great & it is geared low.

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  first new car - 2010 Jeep Patriot
  By kristy - August 19 - 3:33 am

  Went from Avalanche to Patriot, nice, comfortable, caught my eye once I realized I wanted some toys over size. It is easy to drive, awesome stereo, way better than expected. A little road noisy accelerating, but once to speed, quiets down to normal. Turning radius is pretty good, havent tried everything yet. Very happy with my choice, as I was shopping for a Liberty. Definitely worth considering for new family, not intended for real tall people however, there is sufficient head room

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  Everything I expected - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By urbanshag - August 16 - 1:36 pm

  We have a 2006 4cy Wrangler and the Patriot feels like a jet in comparison. With the manual transmission I can get the car moving right along. So far the gas mileage is around 27 with the miles being mostly freeway. I am going to put a trailer hitch on it and put it to work so I shall see what it can do then. I love the car. I began to look at them 2 weeks after hitting the dealership with the 2007 model. I finally found a deal (newspaper special on a 2008 for $14888) and I jumped on it. I have the very basic version they make and I seem to be missing nothing. Power this and that is always nice but for me not necessary.