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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  Neat Jeep - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By VOR - April 23 - 7:20 am

  Bought this after checking out the Escape and Outback. The Patriot is a much better value and a much better off road and winter vehicle. I special ordered the Sport 4x4 with a manual shift and have been driving in snow pretty much since I got it. The combination of 4WD, stick-shift, and anti-skid mechanism is great - especially for the price I paid. It also has a quiet smooth ride with comfortable front seats. The reason I sold my truck for it though was because I needed better gas mileage. Its great.

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  Great value for simple, practical 4x4 SUV - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By 786mcqueen - April 9 - 2:33 am

  Its not a Jeep in the off-road rock-crawling sense, its more a Jeep in the simple, inexpensive 4x4 sense. Its amazingly unremarkable in every aspect, but yet its remarkable in how many aspects are good enough, especially for the price. Its exactly the right size, has decent gas mileage for its cargo and off-road capacity, and its comfortable and easy to get in and out of. Theres about as much room for those riding in back as there is up front. Its not particularly fun to drive (like the first-generation Liberty was), but it doesnt feel too slow either. What is different about this car is that when you let off the gas it will engine brake and downshift so you -will- slow down, which would be great in the winter (the Suburban I had would coast forever under its own incredible momentum). My Jeep came with A/C but no nav screen, sunroof (not recommended due to leaks), power windows/locks, or remote start. This is deliberate as in every car I or anyone else has ever owned the gizmos are the first thing to break and the last thing to get fixed. Overall I think the layout of the controls and gauges is excellent although I would have liked to see a little bit larger numbers on the speedometer. I love the chunky steering wheel and its as good or better than any in any other car Ive ever driven. The only knob or button that felt cheap to me was the window crank, but even thats not bad. Overall build quality is decent; the hood and fenders are solid but the doors feel a little cheap. Everything inside the car seems fine as can be expected in this price range. I would have liked for it to have had the tow hitch receiver and tow hooks, I would have liked it to have been dark blue (dealers in this area are clearly colorblind as they only order black or grey). The only real bummer about this vehicle is that for a Jeep it has very little aftermarket even though I think it has some good potential.

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  Love My Jeep Patriot - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By 39thWisInf - April 4 - 5:06 pm

  I have had my Patriot for over two years and have put on about 24,000 miles on it. It still runs like new. I have the 2.4L with a 5sp man trans. I average 26-27mpg on the street and 30 on the highway. The vehicle is underpowered, but considering the MPG I get it is a fair trade off. I enjoy the roomy interior and cargo space. I can haul all my Civil War Reenacting stuff with no problem. I like the Spartan interior which is easy to clean. The biggest knock against it is the small (11.5 gal) gas tank. Value for the price, compared to the other "big three" offerings, was a big plus also. I wanted simple reliable transportation at a decent price. I got it.

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  I Will Never Buy Another...And I Love My Jeep. - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By jessekhorning - April 4 - 6:55 am

  I bought a 2007 from a dealer after it had been a year lease with 15,000m on it. For the first couple of years I loved this car and have taken care of it. The alignment has had to be replaced twice, the speakers blew out (my fault), the driver seatbelt sometimes comes unclipped at random times, its had a whirring noise for 2 months and tonight the transmission went. I had to drive home in first gear for half an hour and barely made it. It has 90,000m on it now which isnt bad compared to a lot of peoples trannys with the same model, but replacing it costs more than the cars worth. Id never buy another Jeep. Just had a talk with a mechanic friend- they dont make them well anymore.

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  Great rig - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Alaskan - April 1 - 11:50 am

  Weve owned Jeep Cherokees and Grand Cherokees in the past. We spent several months online researching vehicles online. We bought the Patriot online and via phone without ever test driving it. The price and warranty options cinched the deal for us. We are not disappointed! The vehicle is everything and more than we hoped for, it handles well on ice, in snow and extreme cold. We are getting 29 mph, which includes some off road, town and lots of highway driving. It replaces a wonderful Subaru Outback that was getting older.

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  Pretty solid, Good bang for your buck. - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By Luganathan - March 30 - 12:46 am

  I did a lot of research before making my purchase, my previous vehicle was a subaru forester which gave me all kinds of problems. The Patriot is an upgrade from my forester. Much more comfortable, similar engine speed and highway performance. Love the sound and sunroof options. Nice getting a free year of sirus radio. This vehicle brand new cost me $4k less than the new forester I was looking at and the Patriot has more options. Love the real 4x4 as opposed to awd all the time. Also, in my day I have drivin foresters, crvs, rav-4s and Honda element, all competitors and 4 cyl engines. I can tell you the Patriot has just as much get up as the others with a much better 4x4 system.

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  Get the 5 speed 4x4 - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Lucas - March 28 - 7:20 pm

  I just got my Dark Green Patriot. Love it. Power is perfect, I have no clue why people bash it. I have the 5 speed which is peppy and gets great mileage. My first tank I got 26mpg and I went 309 miles before the fuel light popped on. This lifetime powertrain warranty was the selling point for me. No need to buy the FDII model unless you go off- road a ton. My FD I performs well, plus 90% of my time I will be on the highway If you can afford it spring for the 17" wheel package and the moon roof, the stock 16" rims are hideous

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  Great MPG for the Trail or City - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Shane - March 28 - 11:33 am

  The Patriot has been great. The most off road and on road performance in a go almost any where package. If you want 27/30 mpg get the fwd manual. For off road purchase the Freedom Drive II with 4x4 low the Trail Rated version. It can ford water just 1" lower than the wrangler. The MPG off road and at the beach is 17 mpg where other suv/trucks get 6/10 mpg. Flat highway will get 23/24 mpg if you nurse the gas peddle. The pedal is your mpg control. If you want sport driving get the Auto Stick but no 4x4 low with the Auto Stick. I drives like a compact wagon on road. Very sporty for an SUV. This is a unique vehicle that combines the dirt and street. GS Platform - Wikipedia it.

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  was looking for a used found i could afford a new - 2011 Jeep Patriot
  By leafman - March 27 - 4:12 am

  I read all these car mag reviews on the patriot and they play down what a great and fun suv this is. Guess they dont know how to drive a manual tranny, most of their issues are with the patriot being sluggish but I have no problem beating others off the line at a red light and I know an automatic trans is the worse thing you can have on a four cylinder engine. the price was what really sold me got mine (after some price war dealing between two different dealers) for $14000! If your planning to buy a new suv sometime soon I say test drive this baby and try the manual, youll love it. PS you will get every bit of 29+ mile to the gallon with your manual trans.

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  Very Happy so far - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By Jean - March 22 - 8:40 pm

  I have been buying Toyotas for many years now. This is my first American car. I have test drove a few other SUV before buying this jeep. I tested the Volkswagen Tiguan, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Outlander and the Suburu Forester. All theses SUV have great 4x4s. The Honda element and CRV have weak 4x4 system and the RAV4 is too narrow inside for my big stature. So it came down to the Outlander and the Jeep. Well it turn out that the Outlander and the Patriot have the same CVT transmission and motor (2.4l)called the "World Motor" design by Chrysler/Mitsubishi and Hyundai. I decided on the Jeep because handle bumps a little better I tough than the Outlander. More quiet inside too.