Jeep Patriot: Just Another Car In Jeeps Clothing?

2010 Patriot

Is the Jeep Patriot, which is similar to it's sibling the Compass, merely a car or SUV dressed up like a Jeep?



Well... Let's take a closer look.

The Patriot has much of the Jeep styling, albeit "new age" Jeep styling, andit has optional 4-wheel drive. So far...so good...right?

(Click to add your own Patriot review)

Let's look even closer now. The Patriot is built on a car platform, (a modified "GS" Mitsubishi Lancer platform) same as the Compass and the Dodge Caliber.

The Dodge Caliber is a unique looking street ride with some macho looking lines. Hurrah for the Caliber! I kinda like it...for what it is...a car for the street.

The Caliber even comes in an all-wheel drive package for those bad weather days depending on where you live and drive. Again, hurrah for the Caliber!

The Jeep Patriot shares much of the engine and drive train components of the Caliber, but has more sophisticated 4-wheel drive system options for some off-road work.

Although the Patriot is a front wheel drive vehicle (like the Caliber) which means an independent front suspension, it can be equipped with the Freedom II off-road package that gives it the "Trail Rated" seal of approval from Jeep. It must pass some rigorous testing in many off-road conditions to get the Trail Rating.

The 2-wheel drive version is nothing more than a Jeep Car or small SUV...while the 4-wheel drive versions (especially the Trail Rated one) appears to approach some of the functionality of the time honored Jeep tradition.

2008 Patriot (Rearview)

This is all well and good. The Patriot is beginning to sound more like a traditional Jeep, at least when equipped with the more expensive Freedom II package option.

So... is the Patriot a true Jeep in the traditional sense, or is it merely another Jeep Car?

The answers are a vague "Maybe"...and..."Yes".

Does the Patriot compare with the Wrangler?...No Way!... Maybe more like the Jeep Liberty and the dreaded Compass... specifically due to the fact that these models have Independent Front Suspensions (IFS) in 4-wheel drive mode.

(Compare the Jeep Patriot with the Liberty)

(See my Jeep Compass mini-review)

Note: This a bone of contention with Jeep purists...Solid Front Axles vs. IFS on 4-wheel drive models.

Do I like the Jeep Patriot?

Yes...but only in the Trail Rated version!

Then, is the Trail Rated Model a true Jeep in the classic sense?

No..not quite!

Want to see the Patriot in action? Look at this 2007 promo with some off road testing!(2 mins. 16 secs.)

Submit Your Jeep Patriot Review

What do you think about the Jeep Patriot?

Give us your original review in your own words. (Please don't copy word for word from someone else.)

Compare to other vehicles you have driven.

Do you love the Patriot...hate it...or is it just Okay? Tell us why...either way!

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