How does the Patriot compare in size to the Cherokee's of the past?

Big Duke,

Here is a copy of the external dimensions I put in a previous post. The Cherokee specs were taken from Vehix.com and the Patriot's were based on the 2005 concept, so it may have changed a bit.

Car: Length/Width/Height/Wheel Base
Patriot: 173.7 / 69.1 / 65.6 / 103.7 in
Cherokee: 167.5 / 69.4 / 66.8 / 101.4 in

I have no information about the interior...

Thanks!!! I just hope the MPG is somewhat decent...

New member here. Always great to find new message board about something I'm actually interested in. I've been a Jeep driver since I was 18 and bought a 91' Jeep Cherokee Laredo. Have since owned a 97' Jeep Cherokee Country & a 01' Jeep Cherokee Limited, the first 2 with well over 100k each. Went ahead and got the 01' because they were replacing it with that eyesore they call the Liberty. Unfortunately, I only got to 40K as I was rear-ended by a semi and was totalled out. Replaced it with an 02' Grand, which I love, but I miss my old Cherokee.

Based on the dimensions, it looks like it will at least be similar in size to the Cherokee, so it may be that I go that direction when it comes time. Although, the Commander is certainly enticing (moreso in appearance than size), so we'll have to see. If the Patriot has a version available with Jeep's new 6 cyl. engine, I will probably go that route, and let my wife have the GC.

I am still baffled by why they quit making the Cherokee but anyways...

I highly doubt there will be a 6-cylinder version. If there is, it would probably take too many sales from the Liberty and Wrangler (most like the new 4-door Wrangler). The idea of the Patriot is to have a Jeep with classic styling (looks like a modernized Cherokee) that gets good gas mileage (which remains to be seen what Jeep considers "good" gas mileage). I'm guessing by the popularity of the Cherokee, the sales for this thing will go through the roof and has the potential for competing against its older and twin sisters (Liberty and Compass), even though Jeep claims the Liberty, Compass, and Patriot appeal to different demographics.

Also the Patriot is being produced on the same production line as the Caliber and Compass. It's a new (I'm personally surprised that something like this is new) process that uses robots to easily be able to switch between producing the three different vehicles at the same time -- or so I have read. I doubt they would alter the assembly line to put a V6 or I6 in the Patriot

As much as I like my I-6 (219,000 miles in my XJ), it is now a historical footnote in vehicle manufacturing:-(( Hope the Patriot's new engine builds a reputation as good as the I-6.

I certainly agree. The 4.0L I-6 has got to be one of the best overall engines ever made in terms of reliability and longevity. I've now had 4 Jeeps (3 Cherokees & a Grand) that had that engine and the only thing I've ever had to replace outside of normal wear & tear was a radiator (which really isn't even part of the engine, but does cause the engine to grossly overheat when it isn't working properly). If they can produce a new engine as reliable, kudos all the way around.

...Here is a copy of the external dimensions...


You forgot some very important numbers to consider if you're getting a Jeep!

Cherokee
Ground Clearance 7.84"
Approach angle 35 degrees
Departure angle 31 degrees
Breakover angle 21 degrees

Partiot
Ground Clearance 9"
Approach angle 29 degrees
Departure angle 33 degrees
Breakover angle 23 degrees