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Family Vehicle: Patriot vs Liberty???

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Rob5755

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm currently in the process of driving my wife nuts while I sort out the advantages of either vehicle. As I plan on driving my next Jeep til the wheels fall off (courtesy of the Lifetime Max Care Warrantee), which would make the better family-friendly vehicle from a safety perspective? I know the 'Riot beats the Lib in MPG, but the Lib offers better acceleration. This is a strong consideration when merging onto or passing on roads like the NJ Turnpike, where the 18 wheelers merrily whiz along at 75-80. I know my '02 Lib easily has the 'OOOMF' in this regard, but taking an '08 'Riot for a test drive today didn't reassure me. I know driving the CVT is an adjustment, but it honestly felt like there was alot of MEH under the hood. The thought did cross my mind that there would be a number of 'white knuckle' moments merging onto the Turnpike during the morning commute.

As an aside, the salesman was adamant that there was no such thing as "Lifetime Maximum Care" plan, but that the longest available for a new Jeep was 10 year/100K miles.

Don't mean to sound like a pest, but I'm pulling the trigger inside the next 2 weeks and buyer's remorse is expensive with vehicles...so I;m doing all my research now.
 
#2 ·
There isn't much difference in the acceleration of a Liberty and a Patriot. A 5 speed Patriot is actually quite a bit quicker than a Liberty and the CVT should be the same. I think you may be getting the feeling of the Patriot having slower acceration than it is. The 3.7 is bit of a pig of a motor and has been since it replaced the Cherokee with it's torquey and venerable 4.0 inline 6 (give me the 4.0 ANYDAY. Anywho, it'sd into what you want. If I am not mistaken the Patriot gets better mileage, roomier for passengers, and is a LOT cheaper. The Liberty has more cargo room, better off-road ability, and a bit more upscale interior. I know the Patriot comes loaded with safety features (front/side airbags, ESB, traction control, ABS, roll mitigation, and the AWD system is fulll-time, though i believe the Liberty has a fulltime 4WD system of some sort, but again, more $$$$. I really like the looks of the Liberty myself, but the price was too high, the gas mileage to low, and the engine about .3 liters short on displacement. If I am not mistaken the new Liberty a LOT heavier than the old.
 
#3 ·
I have both, the Liberty Limited is for the wife the PAT Sport is for me, but when the opportunity arises we are both driving the PAT and the Liberty is staying parked, to a point where we are thinking of swapping the Liberty for another PAT or possibly Compass, the PAT is much more fun to drive, has better gas mileage, has a smoother ride and the acceleration is as good or better than the Liberty

Bob
 
#4 · (Edited)
We traded our 02 Liberty for our Patriot and really like the choice. The Liberty was a bit heavier and the body had a bit more clearance but the way the seats set in the vehicle it didn't give me much room as the driver. The new Liberty's sport the same seats as the Patriot which give more control on positioning the driver seat allowing for more room without more room ... if that makes any sense. The 3.7 L is a fine motor although I agree the 4.0L in my Cherokee responds much faster (more low end torque) but had less horsepower. The 3.7 needs to be above 2200 rpms to get good acceleration (seat of the pants feel). The 4.0 L has it right from the start.

The Liberty has more off road support at the moment and is more capable off-road out of the box. The Liberty is rated to 5000 lbs towing capacity (when properly equipped) while the Patriot is good only to 2000 lbs maximum. As for gas mileage ... I can speak from our experience. Over 3.5 years we averaged a long term average of 16.5 mpg with 12 mpg the low in the long UP winter months driving in town and 21 mpg once on the highway with a tail wind on level ground and a 55 mph highway. Most of the time highway driving was 19.5 to 20 mpg maximum and that was will a conservative foot. Our 02 liberty's TC didn't go into lock up mode until 60 MPH which hurts mileage on the state highways while my Cherokee locks up at 50 mph. Driving the same routes for the same reasons I get 0.5 to 1.0 MPG better with my 94 Cherokee than the old 02 Liberty. It has to be the TC lock up mode. The 03 and newer Liberty's have a different transmission which I will let others comment on in terms of TC lockup and MPG. Presently, on the same driving routes as we used our Liberty for over a year we are getting 25.5 MPG with the Patriot. This doesn't include a full UP winter as of yet so I'm holding off final judgment until this time next year.

In my opinion, the Patriot makes a better enter level small SUV for a small family with no serious off-road ideas. Two car seats are the maximum in the back with three children out of seats being doable. There is nearly as much cargo space as the new Liberty's (I took a tape measure to the dealership and checked in person) as the Patriots. They really are two different vehicles for two different groups. If you can afford the lower MPG then the Liberty offers more towing and more off-road capability but if you need the higher MPG then the Patriot offers enough off-road capability to handle 90% of the trails (which are generally beaten paths with few major obstacles) that I ever will use it on. If I need to penetrate deep into the woods to haul out a dirt sample ... I'll take my Cherokee.:D
 
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#5 ·
I'd personally go for a Liberty as a "family vehicle", mainly because it has a decent bit more room compared to the Patriot (and because the Liberty doesn't have a CVT which is a plus for me).

If you're used to -- and like the quicker acceleration of your other Liberty, then I would really advise against getting a CVT. While I've gotten used to the CVT more and more (it does take a while), I still wouldn't get one in my next vehicle if I have that option. It may be a "smart" transmission, but it sucks all the fun/life out of driving -- which could also be said about any auto transmission compared to a manual.
 
#8 ·
If you are talking messy family like young kids and dogs, the Patriot can come with vinyl seats. The Patriot back seat is roomy and comfortable.

Take your whole family on the test drive. That is the best advice I can give.
 
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#9 ·
Getting onto 287, Parkway, 95 and 22 haven't had any problems with acceleration. Maybe I'm used to it though. I am a little more cautious though if getting on from a standing start from when I had my Cherokee.
So far with 6000 miles though it's been a great ride.
Rich
 
#10 ·
Don't forget about the YES Essential seats (Stain, odor, and static resistant). I think that would be quite nice with a family.
I personally love my patriot and would never consider a liberty for the money they are asking. However, I usually only drive by myself. I did drive to full size adults with me yesterday and the one in the backseat was amazed at how comfy it was and how much leg room you get with the floor being so low.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Craig, here's the best way to answer all your questions and show you how to install it as well...

Just follow this link...

Installing a New Air Filter (K&N)

And to stay on topic, I would definitely go with a Patriot over the Liberty for a family vehicle. I just got back from hauling myself and three other adults (all men) plus four sets of golf bags and the two in the back seats complimented me on how much room they had. There was still enough room, I could have added a fifth bag and passenger, if I had to. So it definitely can handle a small family with ease.
 
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#13 ·
Many people complain about the CVT in the Patriot. Would you consider the manual? The performance is munch improved. Othewrwise, try to find a FDII (the off road package) as its lower gearing should have better acceleration compared to the regular CVT at the cost of fuel economy.

Pat vs. Lib: Pat is softer, better ride and handling. FWD/AWD that most people prefer for on-road over RWD/4WD. Larger rear seat, but smaller cargo area. Oh, and much cheaper, feature to feature. Liberty had more ground clearance, sits taller, and the cargo area.
 
#14 ·
Pat vs lib dilemna

Rob5755 said:
I'm currently in the process of driving my wife nuts while I sort out the advantages of either vehicle. As I plan on driving my next Jeep til the wheels fall off (courtesy of the Lifetime Max Care Warrantee), which would make the better family-friendly vehicle from a safety perspective? I know the 'Riot beats the Lib in MPG, but the Lib offers better acceleration. This is a strong consideration when merging onto or passing on roads like the NJ Turnpike, where the 18 wheelers merrily whiz along at 75-80. I know my '02 Lib easily has the 'OOOMF' in this regard, but taking an '08 'Riot for a test drive today didn't reassure me. I know driving the CVT is an adjustment, but it honestly felt like there was alot of MEH under the hood. The thought did cross my mind that there would be a number of 'white knuckle' moments merging onto the Turnpike during the morning commute.

As an aside, the salesman was adamant that there was no such thing as "Lifetime Maximum Care" plan, but that the longest available for a new Jeep was 10 year/100K miles.

Don't mean to sound like a pest, but I'm pulling the trigger inside the next 2 weeks and buyer's remorse is expensive with vehicles...so I;m doing all my research now.
Click to expand...
My experience has been with a 2003 liberty,
and 2007 Pat,
both 4x4 , pat with FDII,
have taken both on +1000 mile trips from NYC to toronto,
Both got exactly 21mpg on all highway, multiple fill ups.
My biggest gripe with the pat is the power an CVT,
i beleive they limited the revs more so for fuel economy than performance,
many times merging onto roads, cars that started hundreds of feet back, are on my butt, before i even get up to speed.
in the Pat have to wait for an opening that is twice that of the liberty,
Liberty you give it gas you get pushed back in your seat,
in the pat, can have coffee, read a paper, take a nap before it gets up to speed.
If i had to choose over again, i would go with a liberty, lack of power is killing me in the pat.
 
#15 ·
I live in North Jersey.

Drive the turnpike, parkway, 495 etc all the time. Never had a problem merging. It's never even been a consideration.

If this is a vehicle you're going to drive to work every day in addition to being a family hauler then I'd go with the Pat. Unless you're OK with the gas of course.

My Pat isn't a daily driver. I take public transportation to work, have grocery stores etc within walking distance etc. I have the Pat because I like the way it looks and like driving it, plus the cargo capacity etc. The mileage is nice but I could deal with worse.

But if it's a commuter vehicle for you and you're doing a lot of city/ traffic highway driving then it's certainly something I'd consider.

p.s. Don't know what dealer you're talking about but I'd run from that place. The lifetime warranty is advertised constantly, if he doesn't know about it there's something wrong with him. There are a few good dealers in Monmouth county if you're willing to make the trek. Don't know how far north you are....
 
#16 ·
Oh, I have no problems cruising @ 80mph with bursts to 100mph in my 5-spd while getting 25mpg. My 2005 Liberty wasn't quite as strong on the highway, but was an auto and got 17mpg. I can't imagine me getting more fuel economy in the 2008 heavier one.
 
#17 ·
I have never liked the Liberty, so I am a little biased, but I think dollar for dollar, you get a much better family vehicle in the Pat. I too, have carried a couple full sized adult men in the back seat, and got huge compliments on how roomy it is back there. You sacrifice a little cargo room for all of that leg room, but it's worth it to me. I can still haul all of the gear I haul in my Cherokee in the Pat.

As far as acceleration, I have the 5-speed manual, and have no complaints. If you really need to goose it, once the Pat gets over 3K rpms the acceleration goes through the roof. I also have an '01 XJ Sport, with the 4.0 in-line six, and at first, I thought the Pat was really sluggish. Driving the Cherokee is like driving a high powered boat. The whole thing really launches when you take off from a stop. The first time I merged onto the highway in the Pat, I didn't think I was going to make it. It just didn't feel like it was going that fast. But a glance at the speedo showed nearly 70 mph. It blew my mind, as it just didn't "feel" like it was moving like that. I haven't had any troubles merging.

As for MPG, I am currently right at 3,100 miles in six weeks of ownership, including a 1,700+ mile road trip. I have not yet had a tank that was under 26MPG. My best was during the road trip, a shade over 33MPG. That's a far cry from the 20MPG I can expect on the highway in my Cherokee.

If you need to do a lot of off-roading or towing, the Lib is probably a better choice, but if you are after a first class grocery getter/kiddie taxi/commuter, "whatever" vehicle that is good on gas, I vote Patriot. If you really don't need the AWD/4WD get the 2WD model and save even more money. That's what I did. I have my XJ for off-road romping or heavy snow.
 
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#18 ·
I would agree the Patriot has slightly slower acceleration than the Liberty, however I do not believe it is due to a lack of power. (172 hp considering the size weight of the Patriot is more than it needs) It is more gear/torque related in my mind.

We have a Liberty in our family and there is a rather large difference in fuel economy between the Liberty and Patriot. Unless you need the additional power, I would opt for the Patriot. Interior space is about the same.
 
#19 ·
beleive lack of power

homac said:
I would agree the Patriot has slightly slower acceleration than the Liberty, however I do not believe it is due to a lack of power. (172 hp considering the size weight of the Patriot is more than it needs) It is more gear/torque related in my mind.

We have a Liberty in our family and there is a rather large difference in fuel economy between the Liberty and Patriot. Unless you need the additional power, I would opt for the Patriot. Interior space is about the same.
Click to expand...
is not so much from the engine,
Have had 170 hp jeeps in the past,
and they were great,
beleive the slow response comes from the cvt,
most cars especially 4 bangers get higher hp in the higher rpm range,
4 cyl usually peak at 5K rpms or so,
many getting that kick in the pants feeling at +3K, +4K rpms,
cvt is geared to keeping the rpms down,
under normal driving rarely shifts past 3K rpms,
even when you do push it past the 3K rpms, feels like its in the wrong gear,
kinda like riding a 10 speed in 1-2 gear,
 
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