This engine is great!

Bobbyt · May 25, 2007

I just got my 4x2 2.4 automatic this afternoon, and did a little test. I tuned the Sirius to "Sinatra" and cranked up the Boston Accoustic system and took the little tank onto the freeway. I was right: it's only the odd sounds which make some reviewers think this thing is underpowered. When you can't hear the engine reving, it feels VERY athletic.

Cruising at 55, I punched the pedal to the floor. There was no kickdown, no chassis hysterics. Just an immediate swelling rush of power: I glanced down to see the needle topping 80.

I have NO complaints with the power of this little SUV. For driving serenity which springs from an integrated "feeling" of solidity, competence, and strength, the Patriot is beyone reproach.

It looks like a much bigger vehicle, and has the solid feeling of a much bigger SUV as well. Now I know the secret: Deep in the soul of every Patriot is the fact that it believes it IS a Commander.

Rottenbob · May 25, 2007

Bobbyt said:
I just got my 4x2 2.4 automatic this afternoon...

And where are your pix!?!

Tsk tsk.

Bobbyt said:
...cranked up the Boston Accoustic system and took the little tank onto the freeway. I was right: it's only the odd sounds which make some reviewers think this thing is underpowered. When you can't hear the engine reving, it feels VERY athletic...

This is really good to hear. Thx for sharing this info.

Bobbyt said:
...It looks like a much bigger vehicle, and has the solid feeling of a much bigger SUV as well...

That's the impression my buddy and I both got when we checked one out. I was surprised because I'd read so many comments from people stating that it looked very small. But we both thought it looked much larger than a compact SUV.

Well, congratulations! :beerchug:

silvermike · May 25, 2007

Congratulations to another PATIENTLY waiting Patriot owner. I agree with your comments and am constantly surprised at how small the Patriot is but how large it seems.

Tmax60 · May 25, 2007

Bobbyt,
Thanks for your "initial impressions" review...gives me hope that the long wait for my Patriot will be worth it. I know that when I test drove a Compass with this powertrain (there were no Patriots available to test drive), that was the same impression I had.

Enjoy your new toy! :smiley_thumbs_up:

jeepmuck · May 25, 2007

Bobbyt said:
It looks like a much bigger vehicle, and has the solid feeling of a much bigger SUV as well. Now I know the secret: Deep in the soul of every Patriot is the fact that it believes it IS a Commander.

I pulled up next to a Commander at a traffic light and I really didn't get the feeling like it was a casting a huge shadow on my Patriot. The Patriot is a big small car!

polka · May 25, 2007

:smiley_thumbs_up: Congrats Bobbyt. Can't wait to see pics of your new ride.

tcperconti · May 25, 2007

Congratulations Bobbyt! Your description mirrors my experiences with my Patriot.

I don't know if I agree with the Patriot looking like a bigger vehicle. Inside? Absolutely! In that regard it is very similar to the Scion xB. The interior feels like the outside dimensions should be much larger than they actually are. As I park next to pickup trucks, medium and large SUVs, the difference in size and height are quite noticeable. Even next to some compact SUVs, the Patriot looks slightly undersized.

By itself however, it looks bigger than it actually is.

Having said that, I have absolutely no problems with the outer dimensions. The distinctive classic Jeep styling cues and rugged look is all that I want and need.

Bobbyt · May 25, 2007

I've taken it by a lot of my friends' homes to show it off. I always park parallel with no other cars near it. My friends always say "You said it was small. Bob, that's huge!" Then, when a traditional SUV goes by, like a Pathfinder, the Patriot instantly shrinks. Everyone is amazed.

One of my co-workers swore it was WAY bigger than his Volvo SUV, until I parked right in fromt of him and we looked at both cars from across the street. He said "I'll be damned...!"

There's something about the Patriot's "tough little bulldog" stance and attitude that make its presence much bigger than its skin. The Jimmy Cagney of SUVs....

tcperconti · May 26, 2007

Bobbyt said:
I've taken it by a lot of my friends' homes to show it off. I always park parallel with no other cars near it. My friends always say "You said it was small. Bob, that's huge!" Then, when a traditional SUV goes by, like a Pathfinder, the Patriot instantly shrinks. Everyone is amazed.

One of my co-workers swore it was WAY bigger than his Volvo SUV, until I parked right in fromt of him and we looked at both cars from across the street. He said "I'll be damned...!"

Exactly.

Bobbyt said:
There's something about the Patriot's "tough little bulldog" stance and attitude that make its presence much bigger than its skin. The Jimmy Cagney of SUVs....

silvermike · May 26, 2007

It really is amazing how the different angles change the size. I had to "bark" he horn today at someone who was pretending that I did not already occupy the space they wished to join. The passenger disappeared in a cloud of coffee.

JRX · May 26, 2007

Thats one of the things that made me get the Patriot - its got character. Something that is lacking in the competiton.

As far as the engine goes - I'm perfectly happy with it. I find it to be a refined engine considering its a 4-cyl. At WOT yes, it is somewhat loud, but not objectionable.
At least for the CVT I think some of this engine noise issue is due to the fact that, when full power is called for, the CVT programming quicky puts the engine revs in the peak torque/region - something that regular automatics can't do as precisely. Often, in an automatic, the next lower gear is not enough to get the engine at the torque peak. If an automatic downshifts twice, then you definitely hear the engine working!

I thought it might be tough getting used to the CVT but I had no problem with it.

jucharlie · May 28, 2007

"Thats one of the things that made me get the Patriot - its got character. Something that is lacking in the competiton."

Exactly!!!!

Love the CVT-2.

This engine is great!

Bobbyt

Rottenbob

silvermike

Tmax60

jeepmuck

polka

tcperconti

Bobbyt

tcperconti

silvermike

JRX

jucharlie

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