Hi,
Does anyone have a patriot with the 2.0 gas engine? How does it do on local around town driving, do you regret getting the smaller engine?

I've got one . It's great. I drive at 50 miles a day on highway and in-town driving conditions. The power is everything I need and more and I get about 27 MPG!

I have the 2.0 engine and I don't regret anything about it. I do normal daily driving about 40 miles on the highway and about 20 around town everyday and i get around 25 mpg, I'm sure I would get more if I did not have a heavy foot.

I drove the 2.4 and the 2.0 and couldn't tell the difference. I went with the
2.0 and love it. I have gotten 28.5 and 29 on the interstate, 68 - 70 mph.
I suspect that it will be slightly better on the highway, 55 - 60. Around town/combo driving I am seeing 25 consistently. Start slow and slow, slowly!

i was originally planning on getting a 2.0 and probably would have been fine with it had i gotten one (test drove both the 2.0 and 2.4 a couple times).

however, figured i may be doing some towing so went with the 2.4 (haven't towed yet by the way, lol).

anyway, with my 2.4 and some basic MPG-conserving techniques, i'm getting a cumulative 27-28mpg after 7000 miles, so can't complain with the bigger engine.

we just took delivery tonight.. the speed sneaks up on you, you're @ 70 before you even realise it. lol

I drove my sister's 07 Caliber with 2.0 and CVT on Thanksgiving. I did not think it was slow accelerating from a stop. I thought it got up and went very well.

..yep, lost a lil traction this morning, cause of the rain tho [from a stop, pulling out of a business park driveway]

I bought my patriot back in may of '07. I honestly couldn't tell the difference between the 2.0 and the 2.4. The transmission threw me off a bit, but I like it.

are you guys serious? we're averaging 20-22 mpg.. combination driving.

Speaking from experience, I think you probably won't see/feel much of a difference between the 2.0 and 2.4 while they are both new. If you plan on keeping the vehicle I believe you will be happier with the 2.4 at the 100,000 mile mark and beyond (as they get tired) and if you have it coupled with the 5-spd manual you are really going to be pleased with your transmission choice.

I don't drive slow on the highway and I still muster up around 25-27mpg. I have the CVT as well. If you want to get good MPG don't run the autostick. Watch the RPM's if you do have the autostick. When running about 70 mph, go from auto to 6th gear in autostick and you'll jump up about 300-350 rpm, YIKES! Didn't realize thats how you kick off overdrive.

Generally pleased with the 2.0L. I got it considering the cost of gas. Just went up to 3.39 a gallon here 60 miles south of Chicago.

Later.

Speaking from experience, I think you probably won't see/feel much of a difference between the 2.0 and 2.4 while they are both new. If you plan on keeping the vehicle I believe you will be happier with the 2.4 at the 100,000 mile mark and beyond (as they get tired) and if you have it coupled with the 5-spd manual you are really going to be pleased with your transmission choice.

Interesting observation since there is nobody who has 100,000 miles on one yet :confused: Also, with my LIFETIME WARRANTY, i don't have to worry about it getting "tired" ! If it doesn't perform like new then the boys at the Jeep garage will have a job to do. The 2.0 has more than enough power for anyone and the CVT is the smoothest tranny I have ever driven ! The 5 -speed is ok i guess if you live in the boonies, but not for city driving. I am so sick of slapping gears after my last 5 speed that i would not accept one if the car was free !!! Also don't forget....the clutch is "not" covered on the 5 speed !

I test drove a 2.0 for a day. It seemed to rev an awful lot to get up to highway speed and from stop lights. I discovered after driving it for a bit that I could keep the reving down by accelerating slowing and not pressing to firmly on the accelerator. I think that little engine has a big fuel efficiency potential if treated gently. I just could not get used to the CVT auto paired with it. I opted for the manual tranny to get a more traditional feel, which meant switching to the 2.4. If you don't mind the auto, the 2.0 would be a great choice.

Added bonus - If you live in Canada the 2.0 is the only automatic version of the Patriot that qualifies for the $1000 eco rebate.

I test drove a 2.0 for a day. It seemed to rev an awful lot to get up to highway speed and from stop lights. I discovered after driving it for a bit that I could keep the reving down by accelerating slowing and not pressing to firmly on the accelerator. I think that little engine has a big fuel efficiency potential if treated gently. I just could not get used to the CVT auto paired with it. I opted for the manual tranny to get a more traditional feel, which meant switching to the 2.4. If you don't mind the auto, the 2.0 would be a great choice.

Added bonus - If you live in Canada the 2.0 is the only automatic version of the Patriot that qualifies for the $1000 eco rebate.

Took me a couple days to realize how to drive it correctly. You have to feather the pedal...not stomp it, and you will be amazed at how effortless and fast you are at 70 mph and don't realize it. That's because the way the trans is designed. You don't feel the "SHIFT" sensation...so most people keep pouring on the gas in search of the "shift" when there is actually no gears to shift. It does have a planetary gear but is used for reverse. The expected life of the CVT is 150,000 miles and should be covered under the lifetime powertrain...which is good as they are not rebuildable ! $1500 + Labor for a new one. But at least I'm not waiting to buy a clutch.

Wife has 28,000 miles on hers just a yr old. She gets about 28 mpg h/c.

I've had my Pat since March 2008. I get roughly 28-29 combined. I drive mostly 2 lane country roads to work and don't go above 55. I did find one problem with the 2.0L. The family and I took a trip to Lino Lakes, MN about two weeks ago. Between the wife and 15mo son, we had about 75 pounds of luggage (I'm not exaggerating). The luggage bags were on the roof. We had another 90-100 lbs of stuff in the back. While driving west on I-80 into a 20-25 mph head wind, I barely got 18 mpg. Yikes. Guess that's to be expected. Problem were the hills in Wisconsin. If I could have stuck my leg out the door to help push her along I would have! Nothing like pushing the pedal to the floor for 2 miles just to maintain 65mph on I-90( I have the CVT and ran around 5000 rpm to get up some hills for at least 1-2 miles straight). Should have paid the $200 for the 2.4L. Great around town vehicle but don't expect fuel savings in head winds (flying brick!) or weight in the vehicle. Towing should be a lot of fun;)

Later.

Kind of makes you wonder why the 2.0 wasn't offered with the 5 spd. That combo would seem to get the best fuel mileage of all and help Chrysler's CAFE numbers. You would think that the 5 spd. would get the best performance out of the 2.0.

:banana:Bought a 2.0 4x2 CVT on 5/31/08 and wife liked it so well and I was able to find the color that she really wanted in August and $2,000 cash allowance went and bought another one and took her old one both have the 2.0 and I drive 100 to 150 miles a day and have been getting between 28 and 30 combined highway and city more highway up to 65 for about half the miles get better driving just 55 but when I'm making a trip the first half of the trip I have to get what I transfer there as quick as possible (time limit).
So I take the main highway that has 65 speed limit on way back take 55 miles highways 1 mile difference actually 1 mile shorter but have a few small towns to go through. Like I say 28 to 30 and not broke in yet.:pepper:

I put 1000 miles on a 2.0 CVT, and 800 miles on a 2.4 manual.

The 2.0 had acceptable performance, but the 2.4 w/ manual trans feels very zippy, especially in 2nd and 3rd gear. Even 5th isnt bad - if you are lazy you can just mash the gas pedal and still accelerate decent at interstate speeds instead of downshifting.

I got 31mpg on the 2.4 CVT that was already long broken in, and I got 28 mpg on the 2.4 manual during the break-in process (lots of needless accel/decel to break in engine).

Kind of makes you wonder why the 2.0 wasn't offered with the 5 spd. That combo would seem to get the best fuel mileage of all and help Chrysler's CAFE numbers. You would think that the 5 spd. would get the best performance out of the 2.0.

Makes you wonder why they didn't offer the 1.8L with the 5-speed like is in the Caliber. Those guys get 38mpg routinely :(

Daughter just bought a 2.0 4X2 CVT Patriot.
I would have opted for the 2.4, but she felt the 2.0 was more than enough for her. I agree, it's a fine combination that can easily get out of it's own way and offer much better MPG than my I-6 WJ.
I wonder how it'll hold up in the long run and if its' "Lifetime Powertrain Warranty" will be worth anything if Chysler/Cerberus goes down.

I have the 2.4 and I drive to Indianapolis on occasion from Kokomo (about 50 miles apart) and get 31 MPG on cruise at 58-62 MPH.. it's great on gas!.. and with gas prices lately, only costs 18.00 to fill it up. Awesome vehicle. I love it

I have the 2.0 and couldn't be happier. 27MPG on my first tank, I couldn't beleive it. The second tank 26 MPG and in extreme winter driving.

I have the 2.0 and I am very satisfied with it. My other cars are a 1992 Mazda MX3 with a 1.6L, 87 hp auto and a 1994 Buick Roadmaster wagon with a 5.7L, 280 plus hp Lt1 Corvette engine. The Patriot 2.0 is a very nice engine. Worlds more power than the MX3. Nothing like the pure pin-you-to-the-seat acceleration of the Buick but a nice compromise between the two.

I get 25-29 mpg in combined driving now. Have never done any interstate driving but I feel sure it would top 30 mpg.

Extremely happy with the 2.0. I'm only averaging around 21mpg, but I think that's cause I have a led foot and really wide tires on my Pat. Also, I like to drive around with the the windows open.

When I drove the 2.0 I could not believe how well it responsed for a 4 cylinder engine. I think CVT is pure genious.

I just bought the 2009 Patriot 4x2 2.0. I was rather shocked to know that it has 158 horsepower. I traded in a 2001 Nissan Frontier XE 4cylinder(2.5liter) and it only got 142 horsepower with crappy gas mileage. I was happy to hear I get more horsepower with a smaller engine and better gas mileage. I drive in Honolulu with a lot of traffic and still get about 26-27mpg. Go PATRIOT!!!!

Well I have the 2.4 in my Pat and love it... Gas mileage is mid to upper 20's but when on a trip and really load it down with people and gear even on the highway it's the low 20's. My Wife has a 1.8 Caliber and gets mid 30's and high 30's on Highway. Loading it down on a trip we were at mid 20's on the highway.... Have to say we are very happy with both vehicles. But sure hate the stock tires on both!!!!!

I have the 2.0 as well.. its slow to me because I went from driving a V8 Mustang with mods to this when the gas went high. lol..
I like it ok, cause I can fill it up and it last forever seems like.
I have had it red lined a few times trying to pass someone or just in a hurry.
I do the shift thing sometimes but mostly not.

I wish I could put a supercharger or something on it. I have even asked some people if we could yank the engine and put in a 6 or 8 cyl out of another Jeep or something.