2011 Jeep Patriot – Most Capable Off-Road Vehicle in its Segment

Good

Low base price; quite a lot of clever features; Jeep lite styling; above-average off-road capability as compared to other car based crossover vehicles.

Bad

Lethargic acceleration; limited cargo space; poor braking distances; low budget interior; disappointing base engine fuel economy; continuously variable power sapping transmission.

Introduction

2011 Jeep Patriot is a small crossover sport utility vehicle, which features classic Jeep styling in an affordable package. It is designed and engineered for city streets and comes with most of the components, which provide excellent off-road ability unparalleled by other vehicles in its category. The Patriot is a wonderful choice for those seeking a cheap way to travel off the beaten path. It has been redesigned with updated exterior styling; couple of better quality interior trim pieces, standard cruise control, reworked suspension and steering hardware, all drive models gets increased ride height, voice control system for stereo functionality and 17 inch alloy wheels.

Jeep Patriot is essentially a small crossover sport utility vehicle, which was originally developed and designed in the year 2007 by Jeep brand of Chrysler. It was launched publicly in the month of April in 2006 at New York Auto Show and slots between Liberty and Compass in Jeep lineup. Marketwise, it is one of the less expensive sport utility vehicles in North America and also one of the affordably priced sport utility vehicle-standard crossovers up to date. Both Patriot and Compass models are based on Mitsubishi GS/DaimlerChrysler platform and are differentiated by their marketing and styling. The Jeep Compass is engineered as sporty crossover, but with more capacity for handling poor weather and rough roads as compared to other models like Pontiac Vibe, while the Patriot is a conventional four-door Jeep wagon, identical to Grand Cherokee, which was discontinued in United States in the year 2001.

The all new 2011 Jeep Patriot is a unique combination of suburban friendly mild mannered runabout and conventional Jeep ruggedness. Regardless of its distinctive Jeep styling, the off-pavement capabilities of Patriot are comparatively unpretentious by true four-wheeling standards, even if you go for available off-road package, which includes increased ride height, four-wheel drive system with low range transfer case and skid plates. The cabin of Patriot is now been replaced with softer touch materials to center armrest and door panels instead of cheap feeling hard plastics. The 2011 Patriot is more capable on rugged trail as compared to other full committed capable off-road sport utility vehicles like Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Xterra and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

There are plenty of other crossover sport utility vehicles in the market that provide robust four-wheel drive system, respectable ground clearance, superior everyday driving experience, making them capable of satisfying occasional off-road needs – Subaru Forester, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, but those who are in the market looking for true four-wheel drive and less expensive sport utility vehicle, 2011 Jeep Patriot is the best option.

Trim Levels, Body Styles and Options

The 2011 Jeep Patriot is a small sport utility vehicle, which is available in three different trim levels. The base entry level is equipped with standard features, which includes four-speaker surround sound system with auxiliary audio input jack and CD player, 16 inch steel wheels, split folding 60-40 rear seatbacks, foglamps, tilt steering wheel with stereo controls, rear privacy glass, outside temperature display, roof rails and cruise control. The Power Value Group gets full power accessories, heated fold away mirrors and keyless entry.

The midrange 2011 Jeep Patriot Latitude trim level comes with Power Value Group plus upgraded surround sound stereo system with satellite radio and six-CD changer, 17 inch alloy wheels, trip computer, air conditioning, 115-volt AC power outlet, heated front seats, leather wrapped steering column with stereo controls, front passenger fold flat seat, remote ignition, split folding 60-40 rearseats with recline and keyless entry.

The top of the line 2011 Jeep Patriot Latitude X gets bigger brawny engine along with chrome like exterior trim, six-CD changer, automatic climate control, manual driver lumbar adjustment, leather upholstery and power driver six-way seat. Offered on all 4×4 variants is a Freedom Drove Off-Road Group, which consists of more advanced all wheel drive system with low range gearing, tow hooks, skid plates, hill start assist and hill descent control. This package on base model includes height adjustable driver seat and 17 inch alloy wheels.

Many of the equipments and features of 2011 Jeep Patriot are combined in different packages such as Security and Cargo Convenience package that adds adjustable roof crossbars, front side airbags, daytime running lamps, remote ignition, rearview auto dimming mirror, cargo cover, iPod/USB audio interface and Bluetooth. The Sun and Sound Group gets Boston Acoustics nine-speaker premium surround sound stereo system with subwoofer, two fold-down speakers in tailgate and satellite radio and sunroof. You will also find an upgraded audio stereo head unit, which includes 30GB digital music storage and touchscreen interface.

Performance and Powertrains

The 2011 Jeep Patriot is available in two different four-cylinder engine choices. Powering the Latitude and Sport trim levels is a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine with maximum output of 141 pound feet of torque and 158 horsepower. The Latitude and Sport models are powered by a 2.4 liter brawny four-cylinder engine, which is good for churning out 165 pound feet of torque and 172 horsepower. Both engines are mated with five-speed manual with optional continuously variable transmission and with either all wheel drive or front wheel drive system.

The 2011 Jeep Patriot’s Freedom Drive II system is a conventional four-wheel drive system with low range transfer case, while the Freedom Drive I system is designed for low light conditions such as snowy roads. In performance testing, the 4×4 Patriot with continuously variable transmission and 2.4 liter engine accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of 10.3 seconds. The estimated fuel economy for 2.0 liter engine is 29 mpg highway, 23 mpg city and 25 mpg in combined driving, while for 2.4 liter model is 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 24 mpg in combined driving.

Safety Features

The 2011 Jeep Patriot comes with standard safety features, which includes side curtain airbags, stability control with rollover mitigation, active front head whiplash reducing restraints and traction control. Also standard are antilock disc brakes on four-wheel drive models and side impact front seat airbags. In brake testing, the Patriot came to a stop in 143 feet from 60 miles per hour, which is mediocre as compared to other rivals in its category. In government testing, the Patriot got five-star rating for passenger protection and four-star rating for driver protection, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Patriot the highest rating for both side impact and frontal offset crash protection.

Special Features and Interior Design

The cabin inside 2011 Jeep Patriot offers upgraded materials on center console and door panels, while the rest of hard plastics and poor finish and fit provide the interior a uniquely cheap feel. You will find quite a lot of high end features including the cargo area lamp, which can be doubled as removable flashlight, available premium surround sound system with 30GB hard drive and 6.5 inch touchscreen display and optional Boston Acoustics surround sound system in liftgate. The maximum cargo capacity behind rear seats is 54 cubic feet, which is on par with other compact crossover sport utility vehicles including Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.
Driving Intuitions

With 9.0 inches of ground clearance, low range transfer case and skid plates, the 2011 Jeep Patriot offers exceptional comfort and safety as compared to other compact crossover vehicles. Its aggressive exterior styling gets new seven slot body colored grille, unique trapezoidal wheel arches, new fascias, foglamps and round headlights, all reflect an authentic design steeped in Jeep DNA.

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