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fwd v 4x4
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photographxgrl

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Looking to purchase a Patriot and the FWD are more prevalent in my area on the various car lots (including our local Jeep dealer). Originally, I automatically thought 4x4 because it's 1) a Jeep and 2) AWD is better, right? But, I read that better fuel mileage is had with the FWD and that several folks think their Patriot does just fine in the winter without the 4x4 option. So, is 4x4 really only for people going off-road?

My Patriot will be my daily city driver, road trip vehicle and the kayak hauler. I won't do any true off-roading but I want a car that is good in bad weather/snow and can handle the occasional rough backroad that a paddler sometimes has to drive to reach water in the midwest. Does it sound like a 4x4 would be wasted on me? Or, that I, at least, should consider FWD just as capable for my intended driving?

I appreciate the opinions of those with more experience and knowledge, thank you.

Laura
 
#3 ·
according to the window stickers, a FWD with the 2.0l auto nets you 30mpg, the fwd with a 2.4l gets you 29mpg, and the 4x4 (non trail rated) gets you 27mpg. I for one would not opt for the 2.0, for me it felt too under powered. (plenty of people on here like it just fine, personal preference) so a 2.4l fwd and 4x4 only have a 2mpg difference between the two, I would get the 4x4 every time.

Yes, FWD cars are great in the snow (far better than rwd) especially if you put proper ties on them. If you were only ever on the road, fwd is just fine, but since you take your kayak out, I would get the 4x4. First off, you get .5" taller springs with a 4x4 over a 2wd, this means even if you had the exact same wheel/tire setup as you do on the fwd, you will still have an extra half inch of ground clearance, it means you can fit a slightly bigger tire without issues. It also gives you peace of mind. A FWD is only ever just a FWD, but an awd can also be locked 50/50 split, and gives you BLD (brake lock differentials) on both front and rear axles. being sure you will not be stuck is a HUGE bonus. I would also add a kit to be able to air down and air back up your tires. because if you ever do get stuck, and your tires are at street pressure, airing them down a few PSI can give you A LOT more traction.


I am not including the FDII (trail rated) patriot in this discussion as it gets at best 23mpg, if you even mentioned mpg, I wouldn't worry about a FDII unless you are really trying to do a lot of off roading.
 
#4 ·
If you want a vehicle to take you anywhere and not have to think about it 4x4 and don't even consider a fwd.

The fuel economy on paper may show a difference but honestly in the real world it isn't much. I'm biased since I can't imagine not having a 4x4/awd vehicle. The convenience of neve having to worry about road conditions is awesome.
 
#5 ·
Check out the 4X2 forums and you'll see some stories and videos of what a 4X2 Patriot can do.

Here's a couple threads that describe some off-road adventures with FWD Patriots. If you go through the 4x2 forum you'll find more.
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112589
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110950
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4038
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88413 (has a good video of a rocky hill climb)

There's this review on allpar: http://www.allpar.com/reviews/2008/patriot-offroad.html

If I understand your likely use of your Patriot, a 4x2 Patriot should serve you well.
 
#6 ·
I have had many RWD, FWD, and 4x4 vehicles, with 2 of them being Jeeps. Only one of the FWD cars would go just about anywhere in the snow, and that was a Plymouth Reliant. I attribute that to its ground clearance. It was surprisingly high- didn't push the snow, but went over it. Other FWD cars were anywhere from abysmal failures (Buick Skylark) to ok but had limits (Chrysler T&C minivan). The thing that stopped the minivan (being one of the most recent in memory) was slick and icy snow. That is where 4WD shines because all 4 wheels are working to some degree. My Cherokee was rear wheel drive bias (RWD when not in 4X4 mode. It actually did ok in light snow driven carefully. Was a beast in 4X4 in any snow/ice condition. My Patriot is 4x4 with a FWD bias (FWD when not in 4WD mode). It does much better in light to medium snow (being FWD bias)than the Cherokee, and as far as I can tell (only had it one winter so far), it is also great in heavy snow and slick icy conditions in 4x4. One note- 4x4 doesn't help you stop any better or cover for sloppy/careless driving on ice or snow.
What made me opt for 4x4 is the hilly, curvy, stop and go nature of my area. One hill is always the one that someone else gets stuck on...and in 4x4, I can pass them safely and confidently with no worries about going sideways or just getting stuck with them.
I get between 25 and 27 mpg regularly, and for me, the slight penalty in mpg (maybe 2 mpg) is worth it. It depends on what your terrain is like. Ignatz takes his FWD everywhere and anywhere by the sound of it! Me- I'll take my 4x4. Preference based upon what you expect to do is key. Good luck in whichever you choose!
 
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#7 ·
Based off your uses, I dont see why FWD wouldnt be suitable.

Im in Wisconsin, and drive my FWD in similar situations. My previous SUVs were all 4x4, and I almost never used the feature.
 
#8 ·
I think the fwd is perfectly fine for what you want. you're a city driver and go off the beaten track once in a while it lloks lik , the fwd patriot is much better than many other suv's offroad on paper. I went offroad to some slopes, and going up quite a hill recently in Nashville and had trouble, I didnt get stuck though thank God. i hve fwd 2.0

i bought what was at the dealership. I got the most basic model a fwd 2.0 sport and paid 13 k cash for it earlier this year so I'm thankful that I have a decent good looking newer suv with good gas milage that can still go offroad if it happens
 
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#9 ·
John V said:
. . . The thing that stopped the minivan (being one of the most recent in memory) was slick and icy snow . . .
Click to expand...
The one time my 4wd Bravada failed was in a heavy wet snow in a late April. The mush got into the treads and I ended up with what performed like 4 bald tires. I forget what I had for tires, likely Michelin, but whatever they were they weren't dedicated snow tires. (Those tires did work remarkably well on glare ice, however, maybe because the non-aggressive tread put more rubber on the ice with fewer gaps).
 
#10 ·
I like how we have turned this into trying to convince someone to not by a 4x4, obviously i'm biased but, answer this question for me, is the price a reason for choosing a 4x4. If that's the case by all means by what you can afford. If it a choice and money doesn't play much into the equation I can't see why you would chose a fwd. Don't get me wrong a fwd patriot is decent offroad but you have to know your limits. You mention backroads and not having to worry about getting through anything, that is where the awd comes in. The reason a patriot in fwd does well is the ground clearance, but it doesn't change the fact its still a fwd vehicle.

Regarding as mileage (I live in Canada) the gov't just changed how they do their fuel economy testing. Take a look at these numbers...

Image


As you can see the difference in fuel economy is minimal, and honestly I would doubt you would even notice it.

As I said again if money is a reason a fwd patriot is a bad option but if it isn't much more money get a 4x4/awd you gain so much more.
 
#11 ·
OP its really up to you, and you really shouldn't let a bunch of people on the internet make the decision for you.

But i think if you did a survey of most of the members on this forum, do you regret getting a FWD over a 4x4, you will get a number of people who say yes. but if you asked people if they regret getting a 4x4 over FWD, I don't think you will get many responses.

anyways, good luck in your decision making.
 
#12 ·
Tyler-98-W68 said:
I like how we have turned this into trying to convince someone to not by a 4x4
Click to expand...
Maybe be a little less overly sensitive?

She asked opinions, and those of us who have FWD and have driven in similar situations have given it. Just like how the people who have the 4x4 are giving theirs.

Ultimately it is her call.
 
#15 ·
The EPA mpg estimates are off like always. I had a Pat awd and the car got 22 mpg combined. My fwd Compass gets 4 to 5 mpg better. That's almost a 20 percent increase. The previous member is right on with awd use. Being that it is used a few times in a hundred. I liked awd feature of Pat but I got cocky with it and thought fwd would tame me. GL
 
#16 ·
12PatriotCVT said:
The EPA mpg estimates are off like always. I had a Pat awd and the car got 22 mpg combined. My fwd Compass gets 4 to 5 mpg better. That's almost a 20 percent increase. The previous member is right on with awd use. Being that it is used a few times in a hundred. I liked awd feature of Pat but I got cocky with it and thought fwd would tame me. GL
Click to expand...
12PatriotCVT,
Was ur 4x4 a FDII model? They get worse mpg's.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
aroundincircles said:
according to the window stickers, a FWD with the 2.0l auto nets you 30mpg, the fwd with a 2.4l gets you 29mpg, and the 4x4 (non trail rated) gets you 27mpg. I for one would not opt for the 2.0, for me it felt too under powered. (plenty of people on here like it just fine, personal preference) so a 2.4l fwd and 4x4 only have a 2mpg difference between the two, I would get the 4x4 every time.

Yes, FWD cars are great in the snow (far better than rwd) especially if you put proper ties on them. If you were only ever on the road, fwd is just fine, but since you take your kayak out, I would get the 4x4. First off, you get .5" taller springs with a 4x4 over a 2wd, this means even if you had the exact same wheel/tire setup as you do on the fwd, you will still have an extra half inch of ground clearance, it means you can fit a slightly bigger tire without issues. It also gives you peace of mind. A FWD is only ever just a FWD, but an awd can also be locked 50/50 split, and gives you BLD (brake lock differentials) on both front and rear axles. being sure you will not be stuck is a HUGE bonus. I would also add a kit to be able to air down and air back up your tires. because if you ever do get stuck, and your tires are at street pressure, airing them down a few PSI can give you A LOT more traction.


I am not including the FDII (trail rated) patriot in this discussion as it gets at best 23mpg, if you even mentioned mpg, I wouldn't worry about a FDII unless you are really trying to do a lot of off roading.
Click to expand...
This is super helpful, thank you!
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it. I know the decision is ultimately mine, but I am cautious before making big purchases, so opinions and experiences, tips and tricks, etc by current owners is helpful. I haven't had to purchase a new or lightly used car since the 1990's! :-D I need it, but am kind of choking at the whole idea of a car payment and the higher prices all vehicles seem to command these days (whoa, that made me sound old).

I currently drive a 2002 Wrangler (purchased very used so with cash, and frankly, a silly impulse buy that I've sort of come to regret) and like the 4x4 option, but of course, am going broke paying for fuel, upgrades and repairs. I used to drive a little neon which sipped gas and cost little during repairs but wasn't overly useful or fun. I'm hoping a Patriot would be sort of a happy medium between those two extremes. I drive down rock/dirt roads and such but have no desire to rock climb or anything serious like that. Love the idea of getting better than 15mpg! So, good to know to steer clear of the FDll option.
 
#19 ·
I had fd1 Pat but I think all wheels are powered most of time, sorta like the Subaru, says fwd with rwd assist but uphill etc. I think assist is working. Hence the worse mpg. With our small tank we need all the help. 2.0 seems to work hard with this vehicle so 2.4 actually may have easier time of it. I know I get 30 mpg plus on highway with 2.4 Compass.
 
#20 ·
Very brief explanation of the awd system. Engine spins which routes power through a power transfer unit which spins a driveshaft to the rear wheels. That is always spinning no matter what. There is a clutch mounted in front of the rear diff that engages the rear diff when needed, whether it be slippage or heavy throttle it's an adaptive system
So all things being equal the 4x4/awd has more weight and is spinning a driveshaft and carrying a rear diff and ptu around which accounts for extra weight. That said you have an older wrangler, a fd1 patriot will be loads better on gas
 
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