how fast can the manual tranny go in fifth gear almost red lining it? I'm a little worried about like pushing the redline going 80....is that the case?
does the patriot have any kick, how is the acceleration?

You may want to check this out (http://www.jeep.com/grand_cherokee/models/srt8.html)

I do not think that the engine puts out enough power to reach the redline in 5th gear. In fact I do not think that you could reach redline in 4th gear either.

Based on some simulation software, I have seen. The max speed is around 120mph in 4th gear at about 6200rpm and 110 mph at 4500 rpm in 5th gear.

speed limit is no more than 70 - 75 miles/hour so I think Patriot will keep up with the traffic flow
You know I own little Focus wagon with ordinary 2L engine producing 115 horses and even when fully loaded I never felt like being seriously underpowered.Yes,there may be a moment when going uphill 50m/h and wishing to overpass some granny in her old Chevette,moment when I felt I neede few more horses but those moents are pretty rare anyways.
172 Horses is plenty enough for a vehicle of the size like the Patriot.

It's all how you drive it. I've had no problem keeping my uphill speed at 70 here in California in my Scion, even when Cadillacs are dropping to 50. With lower-powered cars, the driver just needs to pay more attention and plan ahead. Even my big Dodge van with the slant-six and my 42-horespower Chevy Sprint never held up traffic, since I accepted the fact that it was MY responsibility to make sure I moved with traffic.

I don't expect to have any problems with my Patriot's ability to keep up on hills and grades - its power-to-weight ratio is superior to 95% of the American cars built in the 80s and 90s.

It's all how you drive it. I've had no problem keeping my uphill speed at 70 here in California in my Scion, even when Cadillacs are dropping to 50. With lower-powered cars, the driver just needs to pay more attention and plan ahead. Even my big Dodge van with the slant-six and my 42-horespower Chevy Sprint never held up traffic, since I accepted the fact that it was MY responsibility to make sure I moved with traffic.

I don't expect to have any problems with my Patriot's ability to keep up on hills and grades - its power-to-weight ratio is superior to 95% of the American cars built in the 80s and 90s.
Exactly! I had no problems with my Scion driving up 17 here in Arizona with some monstrous hills. As you said, it requires paying attention and thinking ahead.

My Patriot has absolutely no problem keeping up with traffic.

Ah, the original poster mentioned a manual transmission. I had a manual tranny in my Scion and it was definitely geared for city driving. At highway speeds the engine screamed at 4000rpms @ 75 mph. In contrast, my CVT equipped Limited Patriot purrs at 2200rpms @ 70mph.