Jeep Patriot 2007 Review

I know what you're thinking. You're looking at Jeep's new Patriot and, after reading about the tragedy that is the Sebring Convertible (more here), you've already formed at least an embryonic opinion. A soft-roader from a North American car manufacturer renowned for off-road prowess and on-road sloppiness ... I, too, was cringing in advance.

But just two corners into a twisting section of blacktop and I was chowing down on humble pie. The Patriot is, wait for it, infused with a feeling actually approaching alacrity. Honestly. It's no quantum leap in motoring, but it's far better than we've come to expect from this brand. The steering is relatively sharp and accurate, allowing you to place Jeep's latest into corners at speed and with reassuring confidence (although more feel is needed). And general chassis balance walks the same path: surprisingly responsive and neutral.

Sure, bodyroll is a constant companion, as is understeer when probing the limits, but it's all very benign and you can carry surprising pace. Even the springs and dampers strike a largely well-judged balance between discipline and absorption - something Jeep's Wrangler certainly can't claim. Pound a bump mid-corner and the Patriot doesn't try to spear you off into the scenery. The low-speed ride, too, though never cosseting, has enough compliance for the daily commute. In fact, it raised eyebrows as to how close it should run the class leaders, like Toyota's RAV4 and Honda's CR-V, as an urban tool.

But don't think Jeep's sacrificed its rock-hopping roots at the altar of urban polish. Leaving the flowing roads that shadow the spectacular coastline of Oregon, USA, we roll up to an enormous 'recreation' park - three square kays of rolling, dipping sand dunes and permission to let rip. I'm scrambling, sliding, clawing and bouncing across the sand and the Patriot is soaking up the punishment with impressive ease. Thanks, in part, to the excellent VW-sourced 2.0-litre turbo diesel chugging away, but also the intelligent electronic 4WD system.

Usually an on-demand set-up (meaning it drives the front wheels until sensors detect slip and torque is channelled to the rear axle), pulling the small, chromed t-bar in the centre console engages four-wheeldrive mode. An electronically-controlled coupling mounted on the rear differential sends a permanent 50 percent of torque to the rear wheels. There's no low-range gearing, so don't expect to conquer goat tracks in the vein of the Wrangler, but the Patriot is one of the most off-road-capable soft-roaders around.

Slotting in under the Compass, Patriot will be Jeep's entry-level model, starting with a price tag of just under $30K (read $29,990) for the petrol-powered Sport manual, up to around $40K for the diesel-equipped, range-topping Limited version.

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