...The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is an available four-wheel-drive system that makes the Jeep Patriot a Trail Rated 4x4, creating the most capable vehicle in the compact SUV class. The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package includes a second-generation continuously variable transaxle with a low range (CVT2L) that engages when the off-road mode is activated, 17-inch all-terrain tyres and alloy wheels, a full-size spare tyre, air-filtration system, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and seat height adjuster. The available Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is recommended for true off-road situations that include steep grades, wheel lift and rock or log climbing...

Heard it explained to be similar to a snowmobiles trans. Is this true? Just how will this work? Will there be any slippage issues or burning out like with a clutch when out wheeling slowly up a steep grade?

Can someone, please, explain this more clearly?

It is similar to a snowmobile transmission, now that I think about it.

I would check the following 2 links to know the pros and cons (as I found both articles today):

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6264

http://www.autozine.org/technical_school/gearbox/tech_gear_cvt.htm

Since there is no clutch to burn out, the only risk is the longevity of the belt/chain within the CVT. CVT's can cost $5K to replace, and it is going to be a big factor whether I buy the Patriot or not. And since this will be my first car purchase, it is a big decision to get a CVT-equipped car, since I am so used to autostick 5-speed automatic cars (the Volvo S40, the Acura TSX, etc). Pretty much my car purchase is boiling down between the Patriot and the Suzuki SX4, which is a hatchback with lockable AWD and a conventional tranny. It too is coming to showrooms in the fall.

Thanks for the info and links. Interesting reads.

Soundsl like being a more agressive driver who keeps a vehicle for several years could prove to be a cstly one. Since agressive driving and stop-and-go driving shorten the lifespan of the CVT, buying a used one could be a real gamble. I wonder how that will efect the resale value?

I think I need to research this more. I would think that a Jeep engineer out there has expressed confidence in the selection of the CVT. And given that the articles above are a few years old, perhaps Chrysler has made a CVT that can exceed 100,000 of urban driving.

I hear that Audi has the most durable CVT's by far. And CVT's are a big reason you don't see Subaru Justy's on the road anymore. So I think I speak for many potential Patriot buyers when I ask just how durable is the Freedom Drive II CVT? If I don't find more info as we approach the release date, I might write to Jeep.

I would hope that they have come up with a stronger, longer lasting CVT... considering they are putting into their off-road model. The one model which is most likely to see a lot of slow starts and stops up and down steep angles plus several hard accelerations. If it isn't up to hard use, why drop it in the off-road version?

at least that's my concern.

I can see the logic of using the CVT with the World 2.4L engine, just like in the Jeep Compass and the Dodge Caliber. The manufacturing costs have been lowered significantly, thus making a roomy vehicle like the Patriot sell for well under $20K (The new Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 should be in for serious competition). Platform sharing is nothing new (GM is the father of it, right?), but I can see that under Daimler-Chrysler that they are trying to strike a balance between competitive price and reliability. And reliability has been a problem for Chrysler both before and after the take-over. So I'll be watching the reliability reports of the Caliber closely as it is an uban car with the same type of CVT. And the Jeep CVT is presumably well tested for slow uphill use!

Ah - here is a photo of the new CVT being used with the Caliber, Compass, and standard Patriot (scroll down)

http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html

Cool find and good article. Thanks again for posting it.