I'm surprised there hasn't been a thread regarding the poor placement of the rear cupholders. Maybe I'm just making a bigger deal of it than it justifies. As I haven't taken delivery of my Pat yet, perhaps my point of contention is trivial, since my assessment is based on a brief, cursory observation. It just seems that the middle rear passenger, especially w/3 people in the back, would be very uncomfortable after a while, with their legs/feet straddling the cupholder, not to mention intruding on the personal spaces of your fellow occupants as well.

Are there any current Pat owners who could comment on this (non?)-issue via real life experience? Sadly, the cupholder design/placement is unchanged in the 08's. I wish the 'brains' at Chrysler would incorporate the slide-out (but marginally more expensive) design found on the Grand Cherokee. In fact, I'd rather see a change in the holder placement than the inclusion of the 'ChillZone' in future models!:blah:

I It just seems that the middle rear passenger, especially w/3 people in the back, would be very uncomfortable after a while, with their legs/feet straddling the cupholder, not to mention intruding on the personal spaces of your fellow occupants as well.

Pretty much rules out a 3rd passenger in most adult situations.
Although even without it there at all, I am not sure how long an adult could last in the middle anyway.

Cheers,
Jim

Pretty much rules out a 3rd passenger in most adult situations.
Although even without it there at all, I am not sure how long an adult could last in the middle anyway.

Cheers,
Jim
You're right... I guess the middle seat could be used when in a pinch only, or for small children. It's still better than the Honda Element (which I had considered) which seats only 4 legally, as there is no center seat belt. Thanks Jim, I feel less stressed now -- Cheers back!:icon_rolleyes:

We have labeled the Patriot as a 4 +1child sized vehicle because of that. We have two little kids and my husband has a 4 person (large males) carpool that it works great for so it wasn't a big deal for us. I remember someone posting that he had 3 comfortable adults in the back for a long trip, so it might just depend on your situation.

So far the only thing to ride in the backseat of my Patriot have been my dog and my golf clubs and neither of them have complained! :p

(but marginally more expensive)

Oooo, Marginally? :confused: maybe if you look at the additional cost on one vehicle (your's) then it might be. When you look at the cost of the tooling, recertification of the interior, material, etc... that goes into the design and production of a vehicle cockpit, marginal is not a word that gets used for those kind of changes. Keep in mind, Chrysler doesn't make the IP/console. They are purchased as assemblies from a supplier. I've witnessed shouting matches in meetings over 5 cents cost being added to round the buttons on a radio, we're talking several dollars to add the sliding cup holders, that's why they aren't there to begin with.

Oooo, Marginally? :confused: maybe if you look at the additional cost on one vehicle (your's) then it might be. When you look at the cost of the tooling, recertification of the interior, material, etc... that goes into the design and production of a vehicle cockpit, marginal is not a word that gets used for those kind of changes. Keep in mind, Chrysler doesn't make the IP/console. They are purchased as assemblies from a supplier. I've witnessed shouting matches in meetings over 5 cents cost being added to round the buttons on a radio, we're talking several dollars to add the sliding cup holders, that's why they aren't there to begin with.

Thanks for the 'insider's' perspective on this subject. Perhaps 'marginally' was too strong a word, although one would think the designers would have had enough foresight in the beginning for a more logical, alternative placement of the holder, especially as the Pat is marketed as a 5-passenger vehicle. I would also think that Chrysler could recoup the retooling costs over time since the modification would affect the Caliber & Compass lines as well. After all, a common goal of all automakers is continual refinement with each successive model year. Anyhows, no doubt you'll enjoy ownership of your new Limited, as I will, when the big event arrives... Cheers! :D

Pretty much rules out a 3rd passenger in most adult situations.
Although even without it there at all, I am not sure how long an adult could last in the middle anyway.

Cheers,
Jim

I bet I could manage... I'm only 4'10" and usually get stuck in the middle anyway! :D

:wow: O really!!!!!! :doh:

You negotiate the rear center position by offering to allow the occupant to put his/her legs on the front center armrest.

You negotiate the rear center position by offering to allow the occupant to put his/her legs on the front center armrest.

Outstanding!... then they'd have to rename it the center arm/footrest. We Pat owners are so resourceful! Then again, they could redesign the recessed area of the cupholder in the shape of a pair of foot wells to place one's feet -- then they'd have something! :itchy-scratchy:

Outstanding!... then they'd have to rename it the center arm/footrest. We Pat owners are so resourceful! Then again, they could redesign the recessed area of the cupholder in the shape of a pair of foot wells to place one's feet -- then they'd have something! :itchy-scratchy:

Why not go all out and throw in a heater for those foot wells?! :p

(My sisinlaw would *love* that... heh heh)

Why not go all out and throw in a heater for those foot wells?! :p

(My sisinlaw would *love* that... heh heh)


Not so sure I'd be enjoying the smell of that after a long trip... :p

EWWWWW!!!!!!!! :puke:

Not so sure I'd be enjoying the smell of that after a long trip... :p

I can't speak for her feet, but my little size 5s smell like roses! :p