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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  The Jeep Patriot is a great bargain - 2017 Jeep Patriot
  By John - October 22 - 8:41 pm

  I previously owned a 2016 Jeep Patriot and I gave it to my son for a graduation present. I went out and purchased another 2017 Jeep Patriot for myself.Love everything about the Patriot ! Consumer reports gave the Patriot a good review. They said it has above average reliability .Go to a supermarket or bookstore and read the review. I cant figure out why the Patriot is on so many dont buy lists. Maybe all their considering is how modern the car is and what fancy stuff it has. The Jeep Patriot has been around for about 10 years and It basically has 10 year old tech.all the bugs have been worked out. The Patriot has anti lock brakes and most of the other safety equipment. It doesnt have accident prevention tech, like most 2017 cars have. Thats probably why its on dont buy lists. The Patriot has a good safety rating except for the small overlap crash test . It got a poor rating on that test. All the other crash testing got good ratings. The small overlap crash testing was just started a couple of years ago and car companies didnt have time to make changes. Many Honda and Toyota vehicles also got poor small overlap crash results.Before the small overlap crash testing started, the Jeep Patriot got a top safety rating. My new Patriot was the same as my old Patriot, Its 4x4 with 5 speed manual. It has crank windows and comes with AC. Its the basic sport version with the all weather capability group. I highly recommend getting the all weather capability group - it comes with tow hooks ( every Jeep should have them ) , daytime running lights , an engine block heater and slush mats. Cost $700 and well worth it because insurance cos give you a discount for daytime running lights. It came with the standard radio am/fm cd. I swapped out the radio with a Uconnect 730 n radio I bought on ebay. Cost $300 for a like new radio that looked like it was never used.The 730 n radio is a marvelous radio and fun to use. Good navigation, good sound and you can download stuff into it. I dont know why anybody would take this radio out and buy an after market radio. Crazy ! Very easy to install the plug and play radio and now my Jeep has navigation and Sirius radio This radio would cost $1200 if it was factory installed.You Tube videos show exactly how to install these radios.Takes 15 minutes to install.Re: the backup camera ,I installed an after market backup camera. Purchased a camera kit on Ebay for $45 and Best Buy stores installed it for $120 . The monitor was put on top of the dash over the vents. Its a flip open monitor and lays flat when not in use and works great when backing up .I think the 2016 model and later has the backup camera wiring pre-installed. There was an extra wire that plugged into the backup camera socket on back of the radio. I assume thats what the wire was. Check out the You tube video by Test driven TV . Sam Haymart gave a good review. He has 2 videos, he reviewed a white 2016 Patriot and a Red Patriot 2 years earlier. The Red Patriot review said it averaged about 24.5 MPG. The White Patriot review said only 20 MPG because that car wasnt broken in and only had a 1000 miles on the odometer. Most people say they average about 23 MPG combined.I made a roundtrip to upstate NY yesterday and drove 498 miles. I drove 230 miles up and it took 8 gallons of gas to fill up again. Thats 29 MPG with 10 percent ethanol gas and I partly drove in stop and go traffic thru NYC and was carrying about 600 pounds extra weight with a full tank of fuel. So figure at least 30 MPG with regular gas with no ethanol and driving on level highway. Upstate NY is very mountainous. I drove 268 miles down and used 8.4 gallons . 32 MPG. Cruise control gives you 6 percent better MPG and the engine oil cooler ? Everything Sam Haymart says about the Patriot is correct except for MPG/ the radio and the acceleration. He says the acceleration isnt good. but hes wrong. The Patriot can go from 0-60 in 9.5 seconds and its class average. Its definatly not underpowered. It can tow 2000 pounds with an engine oil cooler installed. It cost $100 for the engine oil cooler kit and $230 to install it. Dont have a dealer install it. I paid $18000 for my Patriot and I insisted on free oil and state inspections for the life of the car. Get a Capital One credit card and charge $4000 and get $625 back.Get a car loan at Pentagon federal credit union ,0.99 percent interest for 4 years . Very easy to join even if youre not military. just ask them The Patriot is a joy to own and drive. Im 6-6 and weigh 260 pounds. The headspace is huge in the Patriot, theres 2 inchs over my head ! and the seats are made for big people. The back seat space is more than adequate for medium sized family members up to 6 feet. I can sit in the back with the seats all the way back if I put my legs on both sides of the seat. Plenty of cargo space and the interior is nicely layed out. Watch the Sam Haymart Patriot reviews, he gives an excellent review.

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  Best SUV ever owned! - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Mel - October 14 - 2:50 am

  I absolutely love this SUV. I drive around 100 miles a day to and from work ...and can not say enough about how smooth the ride is. I am not to high or to low to the ground. The 16 inch tires are wonderful. Love the room..the interior..the exterior. I can not think of one thing I would change. Does not feel top heavy. Accelerates with not hesitation. Quite engine...radio is excellent. The best purchase for your money. The YES interior is a mothers dream. I trade a Honda Accord for the Patriot and I was worried about the gas mileage...I was proven wrong. The Patriot gets around 28 miles per gallon. At night the halogen lights are wonderful...can not say enough! Truly a joy to drive.

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  Patriotic about Patriot - 2010 Jeep Patriot
  By bruncrazy1 - October 8 - 12:46 pm

  I just bought this vehicle with the 2.0 4 Cyl. and so my mileage is 32-34 highway, a drastic improvement from my 2002 Ford E150 Conversion van. Great headroom and interior space plus high safety marks made my decision between a Acion, Chevy HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Jepp Compass. A real blast to drive and very comfy. I was impressed with features with a cheaper price than the Chevy HHR and a ton mor room, including headroom. I folded down the seats and carried two end tables, two 25" t.v. sets, and a small dresser.Good cargo space with seats down. Sun roof and Sirius/XM radio add to joy and the nine speaker system is plenty loud and clear.Lot of little extras make this the winner for me.

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  first new car great choice - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By mike l - October 5 - 11:10 am

  I live in the suburbs but I routinely go hiking, so a suv was a must. This is my first new car to buy so I wanted something inexpensive but capable. First off for a v-4 its more powerful than any v-6 Ive owned, the pick up is surprisingly good. The handling is also superb, especially for a suv. The tank is small but the mpg is as good as some cars, let alone a suv. I am very pleased with all performance aspects of this Jeep. Yes the interior is sparse and the electronics not good at all. But thats not why I got a Jeep. I got it for its performance on and off road. Compared to other suvs which are mainly for suburbs, the patriot blows them away (comparing to my sisters escape on a dirt road)

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  Good, inexpensive 4WD wagon - 2012 Jeep Patriot
  By x_defector - October 3 - 10:28 pm

  My Patriot is a 2.4 Latitude 4x4 but with a manual trans and not a CVT (something the Jeep site says shouldnt exist). There is lots to like here: the size is right, the price is low, the feature content is high for the price, the interior is roomy and comfortable, visibility is excellent, its quiet, the seats are great, the ride and handling balance is very good, and the 4WD system works well and has a locking center diff. I love the simplicity of the interior although the materials could be better, but they look long-wearing. Plenty of cargo room in reality. Looks far better than the soap-bar competetion and remains a true 4WD station wagon. For someone like me, a solid choice.

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  Patriot 2007 - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By Adolfo Gracia - September 27 - 7:03 pm

  Not good: Interior finish. Reworks and mold flaws can be found in plastic parts. Ceiling or door noise during vibe roads. Noisy front seats. Good: Fuel economy. Suspension comfort. Exterior Jeep look.

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  Pats Performance Passes - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By choco - September 19 - 6:50 am

  Acceleration is gradual, but will be good enough for merging in the freeway. It handles like a car. The back pillar does create a blind spot, but the large side mirrors help slightly with the issue. Overall, I love driving my Patriot...maybe a little too much.

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  2008 Patriot 2.0L - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Ryan - September 12 - 2:43 pm

  This Jeep is an excellent example of American craftsmanship. I have put over 4 thousand miles on my Jeep and have owned it only five weeks. I plan to take it up to Michigan over July fourth weekend. I have the base model with the smaller engine. The Patriot is not fast, but handles nicely after about 20 mph. It is slow to start off the line. The CVT is neat, different is good. The engine does produce an incredible amount of noise, but only when driving aggressively. I can cruise in complete silence at 75 mph, but then the tires from the factory start screaming. Ive read that changing tires can eliminate the noise. This is my second new vehicle, and third vehicle over all and its the best.

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  Absolutely no problem! - 2014 Jeep Patriot
  By xmnr - September 11 - 7:27 pm

  Funny story - While waiting for a Ford Torneo from Spain, my little Chrysler broke down - expensively. Had to cancel the order, forfeit the deposit and look for a new vehicle. The wife said she wouldnt mind going back to a Jeep again, so there we are. Read the negative reviews (from professionals) and the positive reviews (from owners) and found nothing to put me off - except a growing skepticism of professionals. They were wrong on every count! The salesman actually finagled a discount to rebate the $500 deposit, after I agreed to buy and here we are!

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  2008 Patriot Automatic - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By highlander25 - September 1 - 8:33 am

  I bought new in 2008, 25 miles on it. Since then, 77K miles and I have gone had 2 transmission replacements and it sounds like a third is coming soon. I cant get the car to stop whining. The car overheats 30 minutes into a family trip, have to stop to cool down before going on. Any slight incline and the tranny overheats. This is a problem since we like in Colorado now. Dealerships here had the car once for a month fighting with Corporate over who will pay to replace the tranny. Will never own a jeep again. My eight year old makes fun of jeeps we see parked.