There are ones with carbon/charcoal (activated carbon). Get one like this: http://amzn.to/2oMxu6p
It cuts down on smells, especially outside smells, I didn't own my patriot long enough to have to change it, but I have in other cars, and the difference when driving past a dead skunk on the highway is huge.
Forget dead road kill! After living in the dairy capital of the world (Tulare county, CA--just south of Fresno...) you can't drive a couple of miles in any direction without passing a dairy, and you can figure out the rest--so, YES, get the carbon activated filter.
Ha, I live in the dairy state so yes I know what you mean I replace my vehicles cabin filters every year and I was wondering if there was a better brand and why it was better than the charcoal ones we have been using. I also have a giant egg farm, turkey processing plant, among the other rural smells every day on my commute - so a good filter is a must.
I have never had to replace a cabin air filter.. since the Pat I bought is about 10 years old, and I'm not sure if they EVER changed it... This might be ordered today!! I live in eastern NC, so surrounded by chicken/turkey and pig farms & plants. EVERYWHERE.
I bought the K&N cabin filter after getting the motor air filter of the same brand a while back. My last OEM one was shot after some freelance investigation up close to the Soberanes fire on the Monterey Peninsula, but as soon as I switched it out the cabin lost the forest fire smell. The K&N is washable like the others they make, but I havent had to clean it yet after 2 years. Still fresh as a daisy.
I also have the K&N filter and I feel like it has made a big difference in the cabin. Just seems more fresh than with a ''normal'' cabin air filter. But that may just be me trying to justify how much I paid on it haha
I got a Bosch off Amazon for mine. Seems the same as the stock but at medium fan speeds it whistles a bit. I've taken it out and reinstalled with no difference.