JEEP

JEEP PATRIOT

PATRIOT GAMES
The Patriot offers traditional Jeep values in a smaller package. Andy Enright takes a look

Jeep owners are an intriguing bunch. They’re fiercely defensive, occasionally irrational but, for the most part, massively knowledgeable. They’ve done their research. Buying a Jeep is rarely a low-involvement decision and the Jeep Patriot aims to capitalise on that fact.

Jeep owners tend not to swallow marketing baloney. For all the talk of ‘lifestyle SUVs’ and so on, most Jeep owners will be concerned about ground clearance, approach and departure angles and whether the thing comes with a decent low range transfer case. Folding flipping seats and soft finish plastics? Not so much. The thing is, Jeep needs to expand and reach out to customers beyond its hardcore heartland. That’s the job of ‘light’ road-oriented models such as the Compass. Think of the Patriot as the Compass’ more outdoorsy sibling. While the two cars do share a decent number of parts, the Patriot is beefier, more upright and more focused on the task of going where no Compass would dream of. It’s the car that will appeal to existing Jeep buyers who want something affordable and relatively capable. Not many cars look old when they’re brand new but in the Patriot’s case that can only be a good thing. Let’s get one thing clear from the start. Although the Patriot is better off road than it ever needs to be, it’s still a step or two down from the true Rubicon Ready vehicles at the top end of Jeep’s range. Although there are beefier four-wheel drive setups around, the Freedom Drive I system does have a trick or two up its sleeve. This full-time electronically-controlled all-wheel drive setup has a locking mode to set the front/rear torque split for especially slippery conditions. It’s worth putting this car in context. Aside from rather task-specific tackle like the Jeep Wrangler and, to a certain extent, Suzuki’s Jimny, it’s tough to think of another 4x4 under £20,000 that’s as capable off road as the Patriot.

"The 2.0-litre Patriot returns better fuel economy figures than a 1.6-litre Ford Ka and emits less CO2 per kilometre travelled than a 1.4-litre Chevrolet Kalos"

On the tarmac it’s OK, if not as nimble as a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V. The MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear set-up has apparently proven well up to the most demanding tests and is a tried and tested configuration that works well enough in the Compass and which has been further stiffened in the Patriot. Also seen in that model is a 2.4-litre petrol engine option with a rather nasty CVT transmission that will be cold shouldered by the vast majority of right-thinking people. Of more relevance is the Volkswagen-derived 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel that gives the Patriot a suitably aggressive growl. Jeep’s retro kick is easily discernable when walking round the Patriot. The high beltline, narrow side windows, flat body panels and upright windscreen angle are all design cues reminiscent of the early Cherokee, while the boxily flared wheel arches look straight from a Wrangler. The seven-slatted grille and round lights have become a Jeep totem and some rugged looking alloys complete the look. The Patriot is a car that looks a whole lot bigger than it is. Despite its imposing frontal aspect, it doesn’t actually occupy much more space on the road than a Vauxhall Astra. Think of it as the Jeep for the Morgan Spurlock generation. While you can depend on some welcome Jeep design themes outside, you also get typically cheap interior plastics and a design that’s functional without too much to get excited about. In UK trim, the Patriot offers a lot of standard equipment and space in the rear is surprisingly good. As long as you’re not hung up on materials quality, there’s not too much cause for complaint. With a low base price, the Patriot looks good value for money. The not so good news is that this buys you the entry-level 2.4-litre petrol model which will claw back in fuel bills what you’ve saved in monthly finance bills. The diesel is worth shelling out for if only for its much better ability to haul the Patriot, four passengers and a few bags uphill but the 43mpg fuel economy figure comes as a welcome bonus and a rebuff to those who hold the rather quaint view that all SUVs are destroying the planet. This one returns better fuel economy figures than a 1.6-litre Ford Ka and emits less carbon dioxide per kilometre travelled than a 1.4-litre Chevrolet Kalos, so it’s not about to single handedly bring about the sort of Biblical pestilence many climate change hysterics suggest. Depreciation is another area where the Patriot is likely to excel. A three year old Jeep is always going to have a lot more allure than a three year old Focus or Astra, especially when it looks as good as the Patriot. You’ll pay more in terms of insurance and the pence per mile figure will doubtless be marginally higher than a family hatch but for most customers the payoff in having a more individual vehicle will be well worth the additional expense. The Patriot is a cheap car and in some cases feels it. Watch for the sharp exposed bolts in the interior tailgate door pull and feel the poorly finished flashings on the plastic mouldings. If you want a car that’s impeccably finished, try the Toyota RAV4. Jeep maintains that with the Patriot, the money has been spent on the bits that really matter. Bits like the 2.0-litre diesel engine, the smart four-wheel drive system and the generous kit list. They may have a point. As a tool for seducing customers who were previously thinking of Nissan X-Trails, Toyota RAV4s and Honda CR-Vs, the Patriot may well prove a little too utilitarian in feel and Jeep can’t count on the Compass’ rather unorthodox styling to be a big draw either. If you’re not overly hung up on slush-moulded plastics and silicon-damped everything the Patriot offers a lot of car and some decent capability.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Jeep Patriot range PRICES: £15,995-£18,795 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 11E CO2 EMISSIONS: [2.0] 180g/km PERFORMANCE: [2.0] 0-60mph 11s / Max Speed 117mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0] 42.2mpg [combined] STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front & side airbags / ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4408/1785/1667mm