 2007 Jeep Patriot. Click image to enlarge |
Review and photos by Paul Williams
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Scottsdale, Arizona – Hot on the heels of the 2006 Jeep Compass – a Jeep that’s not targeted to traditional Jeep buyers — comes the 2007 Jeep Patriot, a Jeep that is.
The two vehicles share the same platform (along with the Dodge Caliber), are built at the same Belivedere, Illinois location, and have pretty much the same proportions. In fact, Jeep’s original intention was only to release one of the two new Jeeps, but apparently both styles tested well with potential buyers, so the decision was made to offer two “flavours” of the same basic vehicle.
It’s a good thing, in my view, because even though the Compass is selling well, the Patriot is distinctive enough to broaden the appeal of the “Jeep Lite” by adding desirable features and recalling a familiar and popular Jeep model.
Furthermore, Jeep executives are betting that even though “typical” Jeep buyers will like the Patriot, a good number of compact car shoppers will like it too. And is there a sense that women may like the Compass, and men may like the Patriot? Well, yes, although not exclusively, by any means.
 2007 Jeep Patriot. Click image to enlarge |
What’s familiar about the Patriot? Other than the signature trapezoidal wheel arches, round headlamps and seven-slat grille, the Patriot bears a resemblance in profile to the larger Commander, and is also reminiscent of the now withdrawn Jeep Cherokee (XJ). That vehicle was sold in one form or another from 1984-2000, and pretty much invented the SUV segment (before this size of vehicle was considered “compact”). Jeep executives refer to the Patriot as the “spiritual successor to the Cherokee.”
Starting at $16,995, and with “Trail Rated” capability at under $20,000, the Patriot offers a lot of vehicle for a very reasonable price. Standard equipment on the base Patriot Sport is the DaimlerChrysler 2.4-litre, four-cylinder 172 horsepower “World” engine, front-wheel drive, a five-speed manual transmission (CVT automatic is available, but this option comes with a 2.0 L version of the “World” engine, making 158 hp), four wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, traction control, electronic roll mitigation, side curtain airbags and electronic stability control (called ESP, by Jeep).
Additional standard equipment includes 16-inch styled steel wheels, AM/FM/CD with four speakers and a jack for an MP3 player, tilt steering column and side roof rails. Four-wheel drive takes the Patriot Sport to $18,995, making it the cheapest 4WD vehicle on the Canadian market. Jeep calls Patriot’s active, lockable, four-wheel drive system “Freedom-Drive 1,” but note that this cannot be purchased with a manual transmission.
 2007 Jeep Patriot. Click image to enlarge |
The $19,255 Patriot North (available only in Canada) adds air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power windows and mirrors, a height adjustable seat for the driver, passenger assist handles, 115V auxiliary power outlet, 60/40 reclining rear seatbacks, fold-flat front passenger seat, removable/rechargeable flashlight integrated with rear cargo lamp and tinted glass. An extra $2,000 adds the four-wheel drive system.
The Patriot Limited starts at $22,235 and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-faced seating, heated front seats, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control, and adjustable roof rail crossbars. Again, $2,000 buys the Freedom-Drive I 4WD system.
Optional across the range is the Freedom Drive II 4WD Off Road group for $2,890. It features a CVT2L transaxle with special low range capability, lock mode, 200-millimetre ground clearance (25 mm more than Patriots without Freedom Drive II), water fording capability, heavy duty cooling and alternator, 17-inch all-terrain tires, aluminum wheels, full size spare, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps, and cabin air filtering. Jeep describes the Freedom Drive II system as, “recommended for moderate off-road situations that include steep grades, occasional wheel lift and moderate rock or log climbing.”
   2007 Jeep Patriot. Click image to enlarge |
While the Patriot offers “Trail Rated” ability with its Freedom Drive II system, it’s not an alternative to a Wrangler. It’s tough, yes – but ready for extreme rock crawling on the Rubicon Trail? Not really. In fact, our excursion onto one of Arizona’s recreational off-road trails, while demonstrating the prowess of the “Trail Rated” Patriot (and while looking pretty dramatic in the accompanying pictures), could have been managed by the front-wheel drive Patriot Sport with manual gearbox, according to one of the off-road experts managing the event for Jeep. That trail couldn’t, however, be traversed in a Jeep Compass or Dodge Caliber, in case you’re wondering (I was). The shape of their front and rear fascias, which affect the approach and departure angles, would not permit driving those vehicles on this kind of terrain.
But are buyers likely to test the limits of the Patriot’s off-road credibility? Likely not, although Jeep owners do tend to be outdoors-oriented. For most Patriot drivers, their vehicle will be regarded as a very capable compact SUV. In that role it offers excellent safety equipment, useful cargo capacity, good rear seat legroom and considerable interior flexibility (it’s no Honda Element, but you can manoeuvre some large and long cargo items into it.
On the road, the Patriot is stable and easy to drive, but suffers some wind noise at speed, even though the body has been optimized for aerodynamics. This may be due to the upright windshield. My main concern with driving the Patriot has to do with the transmission. At lower speeds, the CVT gearbox moans and drones its way through varying engine speeds and the noise is at times intrusive. However, at highway speeds with the CVT, the engine is virtually silent, making about 2,300 rpm at 120 km/h, maximizing fuel economy and contributing to a very quiet and pleasant cabin environment.
 2007 Jeep Patriot. Click image to enlarge |
In contrast, the five-speed manual is a delight to use at lower speeds.
With this transmission, the Patriot feels nimbler, engine noise is normal and acceptable, and shifts are precise and smooth. At highway speeds, the difference between the CVT and manual is again pronounced, but there the manual is let down by its fifth gear which produces engine speeds of about 3,300 rpm at 120 km/h, causing a low buzz of the engine at these speeds. A sixth speed for the manual would be appreciated.
Of the two, the CVT was the greater annoyance to me, but we drove the vehicles back-to-back, thus emphasizing the contrast. Presumably one gets used to the transmission, whichever one you choose. Fuel consumption, by the way, ranges from 9.0/7.2 L/100km city/highway for the 2WD with manual transmission to 9.9/8.2 L/100 km for the 4WD with CVT2.
And something that the Caliber/Compass has been criticized for – a somewhat claustrophobic interior – is not evident in the Patriot. It seems quite spacious and open inside.
 2007 Jeep Patriot. Click image to enlarge |
The Jeep Patriot can be outfitted with several features, including YES Essentials stain resistant seat fabric, heated front seats, Sirius satellite radio, nine speaker Boston Acoustics audio system with subwoofer and fold-down rear speakers and UConnect hands-free communication system. Of the three vehicles on this platform — Jeep Compass, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot — I’d say the Patriot is the most fully realized.
For an everyday, all-purpose, economical vehicle, the Jeep Patriot works very well. Although this has become a very busy sector, the Patriot deserves a look, even if you don’t think of yourself as a Jeep type of person.
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