I've heard some good and some bad about the CVT--good for fuel efficiency but revs up high when pushed and can be a little noisy...wondering if anybody is looking for a manual tranny in the Patriot?
Manual tranny vs CVT---what do you think?
frosty
61 - 78 of 78 Posts
Joined
·
379 Posts
I just returned from my first "open highway" drive with my Limited Patriot 4x4 w/FDI CVT. 230 miles roundtrip from mid-state AZ down to the Phoenix metro area. 5000 ft change in elevation and AC on all the way.
I was already hooked on the CVT from just my local driving around town, now I'm more enthusiastic. The Patriot had no problems maintaining speed up the ginormous mountains on the trip. I was doing 80 mph most of the trip and the engine was pleasantly humming at 2500 rpms. (in contrast, my Scion xB w/manual would be 4000-4500rpms at that speed) The Patriot felt substantial without feeling ponderous as it handled the highway roads and speed.
I haven't calculated mpgs yet... I want to manually calculate it (not rely on the EVIC), but I'm estimating around 25-26. An off-road capable SUV that is equally capable as a highway cruiser?! who woulda thunk it?
epper:Good news!
Joined
·
180 Posts
Hearing your real world report is very reassuring and reaffirms my purchase decision. That's great!
A 10 or 15 minute test drive at the dealership only whets your appetite. A road trip like that is a satisfying meal. Looks Jeep has a big hit on its hands.
Joined
·
58 Posts
Joined
·
146 Posts
I would echo the comment about the good highway manners of the Patriot. I find it to be perfectly happy at relatively high speeds (I have the CVT). The engine does not feel like it is straining even with A/C on. Now, if you floor it, the engine definitely lets you know its there! Even though its pretty loud (at least compared to V-6s) at 5000+ RPM, the engine feels like its pretty well balanced up to redline.
I read one review where the author characterized the engine as "coarse" but I totally disagree - engine noise and "coarseness" are two different things.
I read one review where the author characterized the engine as "coarse" but I totally disagree - engine noise and "coarseness" are two different things.
i test drove a 5sp and a CVT today. the 5sp was really nice. the position of the shifter on the center stack was really comfortable (suprisingly). the CVT was strong too. but i could feel the "bogging" at low speeds when i take my foot off the gas. it was a slight sluggish feel like when you are in a manuel car and you are going about 10mph and then just let off the gas without pushing in the clutch. but as for the "BLENDER" sound that everyone said the CVT made when it was under heavy acceleration, i really didnt hear it. i mean, yeah the engine reved up, but jeez its an engine... it reved up no more than my v6 grand am gt..... so i am going to go with the CVT... plus it will be much easier pulling out of a dock with a waverunner on the trailer.... i wont have to worry about being pulled into the water because of the stick.
good stick drivers wouldn't let that happen :smiley_thumbs_up: muahahahaha jk i liked the cvt too just don't like the maintenance that comes with it all the extra fluids and junk, just give me oil please
Made a decission, Maybe.
I posted a few months ago about wanting a conventional automatic. I still don't think I want the CVT. What I plan to do is bid on the first manual 2WD Pat. that shows up at the salvage auction (wrecked ,or otherwise damaged vehicles). That way I can sell it and make money if I don't like it, or they come out with a conventional automatic Pat. in the future (I fix salvage vehicles as a sideline). Patriots have just recently started showing up at auction.
I posted a few months ago about wanting a conventional automatic. I still don't think I want the CVT. What I plan to do is bid on the first manual 2WD Pat. that shows up at the salvage auction (wrecked ,or otherwise damaged vehicles). That way I can sell it and make money if I don't like it, or they come out with a conventional automatic Pat. in the future (I fix salvage vehicles as a sideline). Patriots have just recently started showing up at auction.
I've over 7000 miles on my FDII Pat and couldn't be happier. I was very skepticle about the CVT but went for it anyway with an extended warranty. I've driven cross country on interstates (FL to VT and back), in city traffic and off-road. It's very good in all applications. I don't drag race it from the stop light so I rarely have the engine redlining during acceleration. For my families applications it works great. It's really great off road going up hills or over obsticles as I don't have to worry about which gear it's in. And of course the advantages of a low range.
Joined
·
61 Posts
I really like the CVT, in my opinion the noise is not that untollerable. I enjoy the smooth shiftless ride. I like the design. I dont mind a 5 speed, but I really dont miss shifting at all.
Joined
·
74 Posts
I prefer the manual myself although I have never driven a CVT. I guess if you can't drive a stick then its your only option. I really think that the manual is so smooth and easy that even a novice could learn it in a day.
Joined
·
1,783 Posts
I am a control freak and have always driven MTs. I learned that from my very first car as a young pup. Now that I am a fossil, I have relinquished some control to the Patriot. I have been enjoying the no-shifting gears experience so far - kind of like a vacation for my clutch foot. The proof will be this winter. I have relied heavily on aMT in the snow. This will be a first for me. So far, I am loving the CVT2L though I have not done any 2L stuff - yet.
Joined
·
43 Posts
I test-drove the only 5-spd Patriot on the lot, a bare-bones 2WD and was really impressed with the pep the motor had. Took off from a dead stop in second gear and she took off with little trouble. I also left a little rubber in first. Hadn't driven a stick in over a year, was a little rusty but that tranny shifts soo smooth, clutch feels great, I liked it a lot. even the shifter position was nice. Your arm was level from the armrest to the shifter. I didn't test the CVT because of the terrible reviews and the fact that with the $1050 savings I could get the sunroof and trailer tow prep group.
Joined
·
292 Posts
There is pretty much NO maintenance required on the CVT. Heck, you can't even check your own fluid via dipstick now.good stick drivers wouldn't let that happen :smiley_thumbs_up: muahahahaha jk i liked the cvt too just don't like the maintenance that comes with it all the extra fluids and junk, just give me oil please
I looked in the owner's manual and was amazed that they recommend a fluid change at 60,000 miles ONLY if it's been used under severe conditions.
In their regular conditions section, they have NO interval for maintenance! Now maybe they only expect the transmissions themselves to last 120,000 miles... but strange..
With the lifetime powertrain warranty, I feel less worried about the maintenance needs of the CVT. I have heard that the whole unit pretty much has to be replaced if any of the components fail. Now, I'm not going to beat on it, as I don't want it going out when I'm in the middle of nowhere at 2am, but I think concerns on the CVT's maintenance needs/reliablity are pretty much null and void if you plan to keep your Jeep for 150-200k miles like I do.
Joined
·
4 Posts
MT all the way i also find it shifts nice for manual
Joined
·
381 Posts
$$$
One important point to consider when choosing a transmission for your new Patriot is that while the CVT is covered both parts and labor for the life of the vehicle to the original owner under the terms of the Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty, the manual transmission and it's related components are not.
Surprised??? Be sure to read the fine print in your Patriot's warranty manual.
Irish Waif
One important point to consider when choosing a transmission for your new Patriot is that while the CVT is covered both parts and labor for the life of the vehicle to the original owner under the terms of the Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty, the manual transmission and it's related components are not.
Surprised??? Be sure to read the fine print in your Patriot's warranty manual.
Irish Waif
61 - 78 of 78 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
