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MrMischief

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
For those who own a Patriot, did you consider the Compass at all? Why did you choose a Patriot over a Compass? I expect a lot of the answers to be FDII, so now that the Compass comes with FDII, which would you choose today and why?

Looking to replace my wife's Charger SRT8. I like the 2011 Compass, she likes the Patriot. She likes the visibility out of the Patriot. I felt that the Compass was aimed at having a bit more luxury. I initially figured I'd get the Pat due to FDII not being available on the Compass, but now that it is I don't know which way to go and can't come up with much of a difference between the two. It's the wife's car, but I do 95% of the driving.
 
#5 ·
Yea, to me the Compass had more of a chick car look to it. I preferred the more rugged look of the Patriot. Although the 2011 Compass is nice looking on the front end, but the back end is still rav4ish.
 
#6 ·
Well I like them both but!!

Patriot...Jeep like Jeep.

Compass...Car like Jeep.
 
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#7 ·
I didn't consider the Compass due to the lower clearance, and the roof curve to the gate reduces space in the back. And no hooks, skid plates, etc.

I like the look of the 11 Compass, and now that they have a trail rated version it meets more of my needs, but still has less room in the back, and at a higher cost.

When I was first looking at the Patriots I talked to a friend of mine, told him what I liked, etc, and he went and looked too. He ended up with a nicely loaded Compass. He likes it a lot, and has no need for off road options, and he loves the sound system.
 
#9 ·
I chose Compass because Patriot was not available yet at the time in Europe. I.e. I didn't have to choose at all, Compass was the only option.

As FDII was and is still not avaialable in Europe, the only different thing here is the look (and probably therefore the aftermarket value?).
The MPG advantage of Compass is so minimal (0.1 MPG, who cares?), as is the bigger trunk of Patriot (I've never loaded my trunk full to the roof), so it leaves only the looks and the price.
If those are equal, I'd choose 2011 Compass. Patriot looks a bit boxy and old-fashioned or just too ordinary to me, and old Compass looks just funny... :)
 
#10 ·
MrMischief said:
I felt that the Compass was aimed at having a bit more luxury. I initially figured I'd get the Pat due to FDII not being available on the Compass, but now that it is I don't know which way to go and can't come up with much of a difference between the two. It's the wife's car, but I do 95% of the driving.
Click to expand...
The Compass is aimed to appear more luxurious, when in fact it is just more expensive.
I recently ordered a Patriot, and for grins and giggles, I Priced out a Compass and a Patriot online, identical to each other in options, similar to what I ordered.

Options:
Latitude X/Limited, FDII Off-road group, Premium Sound, Navigation, Security and Convenience

Price:
Patriot MSRP: $28,525
Compass MSRP: $30,300

Differences:
The compass does have a fancy looking front fascia, and looks great. It has high beams separate from the low beams. It comes with 18" wheels, which do not come on the Patriot, but if you get FDII on the Compass it deletes those wheels.

The Patriot offers better visibility and more rear cargo area. It has a new nice looking front fascia too.

I wanted FDII, and I didn't want to pay more to sacrifice more, in order to get a Compass. At least thats one reason I went with Patriot
 
#11 ·
MrMischief said:
For those who own a Patriot, did you consider the Compass at all? Why did you choose a Patriot over a Compass? I expect a lot of the answers to be FDII, so now that the Compass comes with FDII, which would you choose today and why?

Looking to replace my wife's Charger SRT8. I like the 2011 Compass, she likes the Patriot. She likes the visibility out of the Patriot. I felt that the Compass was aimed at having a bit more luxury. I initially figured I'd get the Pat due to FDII not being available on the Compass, but now that it is I don't know which way to go and can't come up with much of a difference between the two. It's the wife's car, but I do 95% of the driving.
Click to expand...
We have one of each. Compass has very poor visibility compared to the Patriot. Also the interior cargo capacity is less because of the rounded shape of the Compass. Thinner roof pillars like the XJ Cherokee, would greatly improve both vehicles.
 
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#13 ·
Hello:

For me, the choice for 2008 was clearly the Patriot due to its shape, its higher stance, its "Jeepier" appearance (to me).

If I were to select again with the 2011 models, I think I would still purchase the Patriot... for all the prior reasons, but also price. But, I would say the Compass is an attractive vehicle (and more so with the 2011 model)... and would consider it for my wife if she was interested.

PipeTobacco
 
#14 ·
Jeep originally couldn't decide between the two designs, they put it out to an audience and they both had good response, Patriot mostly by men, Compass mostly by women. softer lines with curves is not a Jeep traditionally and appealed to the women, so why not grab a new audience.
I like the traditional lines and looking like a Cherokee, plus the larger cargo area. Don't care for the door handles up high on the back doors and that it looks like the original Liberty which to me was also a "chick truck".
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
jepstr67 said:
We have one of each. Compass has very poor visibility compared to the Patriot. Also the interior cargo capacity is less because of the rounded shape of the Compass. Thinner roof pillars like the XJ Cherokee, would greatly improve both vehicles.
Click to expand...
Can you say any good things about the Compass compared to the Patriot?
 
#16 ·
I bought my Patriot cuz I've always wanted a Cherokee, now that's a thing of the past and the Patriot is the best look a like!! I test Drove both a Patriot and Compass the Pat felt more like a JEEP
 
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#17 ·
MrMischief said:
Can you say any good things about the Compass compared to the Patriot?
Click to expand...
The only thing would be if you like the look/shape better. Like the others, I prefer the square lines of the Patriot including the original interior. I really liked the Rallye Compass. I think they really missed out not promoting that model more. Mechanically FD1 and 4x2 Patriot and Compass really are the same vehicle.
 
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#18 ·
Patriot looks like a Jeep.
Compass looks like a regular SUV in it's class,nothing too flashy about it.
Patriot really shows Jeep personality.It stands out in traffic,boxy as a true Jeep should be.
 
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#19 ·
We have an '08 Compass that we bought in the Fall of '07. We picked the Compass for a few reasons.

We were able to snag one at a significantly better price than the Patriot, which was the biggest reason. Other than that, we didn't like how the Patriot's roof rack only covered half the roof and didn't think the Patriot looked quite right proportionately; it was too stretched out, too small, and too low to the ground. The Patriot looked like a Chinese knock off of what a Jeep should be and the Compass like an AWD car.

I like both vehicles but just happen to like the Compass slightly better.
 
#20 ·
the compass has the ugly rounded look you can find on asian suv s,like the old hyundai santa fe ,the rav4 and other wannabe off-road vehicles.
except for the seven holes in the grille,doesn't really look like a true Jeep.
i mean,put it next to a cherokee or a wrangler.
it's out of their world.
whereas if you put a Pat next to the Cherokee,you can see they've got the same "blood".
sure, some people like the Compass,but that doesn't make it a true Jeep.
 
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