Jeep Patriot Limited
Long-term Test
Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $38,490
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): N/A
Crash rating: N/A
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 6.7
CO2 emissions (g/km): 180
Also consider: Subaru Forester (more here) , Renault Koleos (more here), Toyota RAV4 (more here), Mitsubishi Outlander (more here)
Overall rating: 2.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 2.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0
About our ratings
With the collapse and rebirth of the Chrysler Group, which is now in bed with Fiat, you'd expect the mood to be sombre. Yet in Australia at least, the Chrysler group isn't doing too badly. Some models, such as the Wrangler Unlimited, are selling like hotcakes and the Australian operation is currently one of the most profitable for the brand.
So where does the Jeep Patriot fit in? It sounds like a good money spinner: a compact SUV with both petrol and diesel variants boasting unique features and a bold design that sets it apart from its predominantly Asian rivals.
Pricing is competitive. The petrol models start at $29,990 and the turbodiesel model on test begins at $34,990 which, all things considered, is decent value for money. We tested the top-range $38,490 'Limited' model which adds heated leather seats and other luxury items.
And rather than just a week-long drive, we took a longer look -- drafting our green Patriot into service as an all-weather all-wheel-drive gopher for Carsales Network HQ. In all we put around 6500 kilometres kilometres under its wheels, using it for everything from the weekly grocery run at Aldi and markets, to commuting to work on a daily basis and it even made it above the snow line (see our next article for details of that trip).
Without giving away the whole plot, we judged the Patriot as rather a surprise package. Surprise that in the face of some rather trenchant criticism at launch we found it versatile, reasonably comfortable, and economical without being a bore to drive.
It's no sportscar but it handles winding alpine passes as well as most of its rivals. It has a fairly compliant ride for the most part, but the Jeep Patriot doesn't exhibit chronic levels of body roll so you can hustle it through medium radii corners without 'heart in your mouth' moments.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves… Standard features on the top of the line Patriot include things like keyless entry, six-stacker CD stereo with MP3 functionality, 17-inch alloy wheels plus curtain airbags for both front and rear occupants and an stability control (Jeep uses the Daimler acronym, ESP).
Electronic Roll Mitigation or ERM is also included. Designed to prevent higher riding vehicles from rolling over, we're happy to say didn't get to test it. Of more use therefore was the standard antilock brakes and the reasonably nimble dynamics the Patriot shares with its sibling under the skin -- Jeep's 'other' compact SUV, the Compass.
Indeed, some of the less technical, more common features were the most impressive, the reclining rear seats for instance. These give rear passengers the chance to have a bit of a snooze on longer journeys. The utility of the Patriot is another talking point. As well as fancy rear seats, the front passenger seat can be folded (forward) flat, which, together with the 60:40 split fold rears, means you can take your flat-pack furniture purchases (and your mini-mal) home in one trip.
Jeep offers the Patriot with either a 2.4-litre petrol engine pumping out 125kW/220Nm or a turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine worth 103kW/310Nm. While the petrol engine has more power on paper, 'our' diesel is the pick of the two and feels much more lively. We've also found this to be the case with Dodge's larger quasi-SUV, the Journey too.
The VW-sourced pumpe duse (not common rail) four-cylinder turbodiesel delivers a broad wave of torque from low in the rev range and though it's not available with an automatic transmission, it's still very drivable.
Like its compact 4WD rivals, the Patriot's raised 204mm ride height makes it a fairly good town car by providing an elevated view. Nor is it as large as say, a Pajero or a Territory, so reversing and parallel parking isn't as nerve-wracking as you'd think. A 10.8 metre turning circle is also rather impressive.
The Jeep Patriot looks big, yet in reality it's almost 20cm shorter than Holden's new small car, the Cruze (4.40m and 4.59m respectively). Food for thought.
Stay tuned for more impressions on our long term Patriot.
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