Looks like at least one test of the Patriot has left the building... or so to speak.

...The 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara out-paced nearly
20 other compact SUVs in the competition for the Best
Buy 2007 award. Other nominees in the Compact
Sport-Utility Vehicle category included:

* Acura RDX
* Kia Sportage
* BMW X3
* Mazda Tribute
* Ford Escape
* Mercury Mariner
* Honda Element
* Mitsubishi Outlander
* Hyundai Tucson
* Saturn Vue
* Jeep Compass
* Subaru Baja
* Jeep Liberty
* Subaru Forester
* Jeep Patriot
* Toyota Rav4
* Jeep Wrangler... source (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-02-2006/0004466048&EDATE=)

I am curious to see the rest of the test notes!

So they tested a pre production model?

Kudos to Suzuki. Reviews normally rate Jeeps fairly low anyhow. Out of the 20 vehicles 'nominated' only 6 can do anything offroad (Jeep/Subaru). Of those 6 only the Wrangler and Liberty can really go offroad. But kudos again to Suzuki.

Kudos to Suzuki. Reviews normally rate Jeeps fairly low anyhow. Out of the 20 vehicles 'nominated' only 6 can do anything offroad (Jeep/Subaru). Of those 6 only the Wrangler and Liberty can really go offroad. But kudos again to Suzuki.

I am impressed with the package Suzuki offers. They have a decent little vehicle with a low-range 4x4 package. I don't see it tackling the Rubicon, but it will compete with the Patriot.

In truth, how much more does the Patriot truly offer in terms of capability? A little ground clearance?.....approach/breakover/departure angles? The Grand Vitara is an impressive package, with a stronger engine and a slightly nicer interior.

I am impressed with the package Suzuki offers. They have a decent little vehicle with a low-range 4x4 package. I don't see it tackling the Rubicon, but it will compete with the Patriot.

In truth, how much more does the Patriot truly offer in terms of capability? A little ground clearance?.....approach/breakover/departure angles? The Grand Vitara is an impressive package, with a stronger engine and a slightly nicer interior.

My dad just picked up a brand new loaded Grand Vitara a month or so ago. Decent vehicle so far, need to test it on the snowy backroads though. That engine's a joke though. It's what a 2.6L V6? If the displacements that small those extra two cylindars are just a gimmick... I'd rather just have the fourbanger. The peak HP also starts at such a high power-band that if you're actually reaching it you're either stuck or blowing up your engine.

I am impressed with the package Suzuki offers. They have a decent little vehicle with a low-range 4x4 package. I don't see it tackling the Rubicon, but it will compete with the Patriot.

In truth, how much more does the Patriot truly offer in terms of capability? A little ground clearance?.....approach/breakover/departure angles? The Grand Vitara is an impressive package, with a stronger engine and a slightly nicer interior.

Touche.

That engine's a joke though. It's what a 2.6L V6? If the displacements that small those extra two cylindars are just a gimmick... I'd rather just have the fourbanger. The peak HP also starts at such a high power-band that if you're actually reaching it you're either stuck or blowing up your engine.

Grand Vitara: 185 HP @ 6,000 RPM and 184 lbs. @ 4,500 RPM

Jeep Patriot: 172 HP @ 6,000 RPM and 165 lbs. @ 4,400 RPM

If the Suzuki engine is a joke, then the joke is on the Jeep Patriot, because its producing less at the same RPM.

Grand Vitara: 185 HP @ 6,000 RPM and 184 lbs. @ 4,500 RPM

Jeep Patriot: 172 HP @ 6,000 RPM and 165 lbs. @ 4,400 RPM

If the Suzuki engine is a joke, then the joke is on the Jeep Patriot, because its producing less at the same RPM.

But it also has two more cylindars than the Patriot. Neither engine is good, but the "V6" designation for the Grand Vitara is for nothing more than the sake of using it as a buzzword for ignorant buyers.

Either way, you're never going to see those horse power figures coming from either vehicle.

If you are interested in offroading it, more than likely you will want to change one or two things here and there - sooner or later. It's just the nature of the hobby. To be completely honest, which one will the after-market company make accessories for?!?!?

There are some decent vehicles out there that have virtually zero mass produced after-market accessories, simply because they are not models from a well known off-road company. Let's face it... Jeep is off-road. The Suzuki is a fine vehicle but there will be a fraction of the mod opportunitys... and sadly they will cost more, too.

I wonder how long it will be before the after-market companies start promoting the Patriot toys?!?!