CR can't get beyond comparing Jeeps to similarly sized vehicles and approach each class largely ignoring price. If all compact SUVs were the same price then they probably do have a point in criticizing the Compass and Patriot for interior/comfort related issues and fuel economy, though beyond that even their own data suggests the MK's are better than average (at least) in quality.

The problem we have is that now days we are seeing the media simply repeating what other outlets have said without doing their own comparisons.

Not to mention the obvious flaw in the comments about the Patriot above, where they harp on the CVT. Kind of pointless when considering only the FD2 models have the CVT anymore.

And all of this ignores the sales data showing all three vehicles are selling reasonably well.

 

Not to mention that they have no issues with a CVT equipped Subaru, or a hyundai compact suv equipped with the SAME EXACT cvt. This is just regurgitated reviews from 2007. They claim 184 horsepower is anemic, but don't complain about the RAV4's 178 HP, or the CR-v's 185? Makes no sense. And absolutely no mention of it's "better than anything else in the segment" off road capability. Everyone knows it's not a wrangler. It would be nice to see someone actually test drive it and write an original review based on their experience with it. But I guess that would actually take thought and a true work ethic. Two things that America is running short on at the moment.

 

I'd like them to bring ANY vehicle in it's class they like better up my hill in winter.

I'd make a large bet on it

 

It would be nice to see someone actually test drive it and write an original review based on their experience with it.

There is one made by one of the members who was looking to purchase the Patriot. Not sure if he ever did.

 

According to the UK dealers the Patriot isn't Available and has been replaced by the Compass. Shhhh don't tell them they've clearly forgot about the internet

 

"...but the CVT was really a buzz-kill..." ???

 

I've owned many Jeeps and I'm happy with my Patriot even with its Rubbermaid interior.

 

I've driven/owned many different cars. Everything from mundane fords to top mercs and can say the for an all round solid vehicle the Patriot tops them all. I know that a large percentage of Jeep owners spend time driving driving down rivers and or up hills but I personally use roads, admittedly sometimes with snow (across the odd field) and you would be hard pushed to get better!!!!

 

I think a lot of those vehicles on that list are there because they are being redesigned or axed from production soon. That would be my biggest fear about buying a 14 pat. Value will go down significantly once the new model is out; but less of an issue since it sounds like there will be a 15.

 

As a side note is add 2014 Yukon Tahoe expedition and navigators to that list. They are getting new models next year.

 

I get CR now as a gift.

What burns my rear end is that they speak so glowingly about the highest rated Forester, and don't even mention the serious oil consumption problems that are plaguing the "new" FB engine. Ongoing 200+ page thread: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f183/2011-excessive-oil-consumption-merged-thread-119562/

Likewise with the Honda Odyssee (and other models) and the serious Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) problem: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/23/honda-settles-class-action-lawsuit-engines/

Hello, CR!!!!!!! How can you rank these vehicles highest and completely ignore major engine problems??

 

What burns my rear end is that they speak so glowingly about the highest rated Forester....

Yeah, the MK's get a bad rap for the CVT, but not the Forester. It even comes with an "X-mode" off road package. What a great idea!

"The CVT-only Forester 2.5i Limited and Touring and all 2.0XT models get a nifty new piece of off-roading hardware called X-Mode. The system works in concert with the cars’ electronically managed all-wheel drive and summons softer throttle mapping, lower gear ratios, a unique stability-control program to maximize traction, and activates hill-descent control."

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-subaru-forester-25-20xt-turbo-first-drive-review

 

Considering that the poster is a non Jeep Patriot owner and the CR reviewers are non Jeep owners as well. CR is a joke by all standards.

 

Generally your posts are a joke by all standards.

 

I hate consumer reports they hate on anything with an American nameplate.
Totally Japanese and German car biased. What's sad is there are a lot of people I know that take Consumer Reports word for it, including many people in my family, and they end up buying foreign nameplates, go figure


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CR is a rag plain and simple. Why people place so much faith in them is a mystery to me. When it comes to car reviews they are so biased it is beyond words. If it isn't Asian or European it is no good.

How they can tell people the new Cherokee is a top 10 to avoid after it has only been out 6 months baffles me even for that biased trash rag. I mean it is supposed to be CONSUMER REPORTS right. So they have received enough reviews from actual owners to say avoid it after 6 months? Yeah right. My 2011 Patriot was one of the best vehicle I have owned as well.

I do my best to ignore them. They are nuts.

 

A non-Jeep owner would like to jump in here. This is precisely the reason I joined this forum. The "Official" publications all jump in to pan the Patriot and the Compass, as well as the Wrangler. But, as a subscriber to Comsumer Reports, I find it enigmatic that these vehicles score poorly in all performance and evaluation categories except one - OWNER SATISFACTION! So, if they are so darn bad, why do most of the owners really LIKE them? I have relatives that own a Commander, Wrangler, and Liberty and have been quite satisfied with them. True, they aren't as slick as a BMW, Acura, Mercedes, or Cadillac, but they don't cost $60,000 either.

 

A very good point!

 

When I don't have to drive almost 100 miles a day for a commute, I'll be in a Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, but till then the Patriot meets all my needs.

 

Take it easy croat, he's only got ten posts, he's being respectful, and only mentioning what he's heard, not putting out tech knowledge about a vehicle he doesn't own.

 

I always like looking between the lines of everyone's post and seeing how political affiliations fuel arguments, even though it's not explicit, if that makes sense *cough cough a little abstract thinking is required.


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I saw a CR executive on TV trying to explain their procedure. She was an Asian woman with a thick accent. I've noticed most Asians drive Asian auto makes; is it just pride in their heritage, or prejudice? Ask a Jeep owner if you want an honest opinion. BTW, I like the 6-speed. I waited two years for them to replace the CVT.

 

CVT ain't bad though, anybody who has one loves it, at times more than the traditional trannys.

 

Not me. Well, I didn't have one... I test-drove 3 patriots with a CVT, and hated it. Of course, I don't like automatics much either.

One reason Subaru's CVT gets better reviews may be the way the computer is programmed or something, but a Forester with a CVT feels a lot different than a Patriot with one.

 

Well everything about the subaru feels different than the patriot. I love my MK but my legacy with 180k on it feels more solid than it does with only 50k. I haven't driven a brand new subaru and really worry that quality may go down as more are sold. That being said I am a diehard subaru fan. Problem is I couldn't touch a base model forester for what I got my loaded up patriot for. The Jeep wins on value hands down.

 

The problem is the car review "experts" want to classify the patriot in a particular category so they can score it against vehicles they want it to be similar to.
The fact is... who makes a more offroad capable suv with 4x4 low gears that gets better gas mileage under $30k ????? (.. crikets chirping...)

They don't really understand that's why I bought my patriot. I was looking for an offroad capable vehicle that got great gas mileage for around $20k. The patriot was the ONLY option. They don't get that.

They think all people are shopping for an SUV for freeway use that has the most cushy suspension and most horsepower OR won the prize for the very best gas mileage. Do they know the patriot comes in 5 totally different models? NO..They just don't get it. They absolutely have to categorize & compare the patriot against another vehicle that's totally different in every way. :BLAM:
They don't understand that if I needed a subaru cross-trek that looks like a mini-station with terrible ascent/descent approach angles then I'd have bought one. They don't understand that if I needed to win a speed contest & had an extra $60k in my pocket I would have bought the Range Rover Evoque. They don't understand that if I wanted a little SUV with the quietest ride that rides like a sedan that would get stuck in the nearest mud puddle that I'd have bought their award winning RAV4/CRV

 

Since you said 30k a nissan xterra can be had for under 30k and would spank the patriot off-road.

But yes we got your point.

 

yes and the wrangler would spank the patriot offroad also

i was seriously looking at the xterra but the price was way too high and the gas mileage way too low... which is the opposite of the patriot and what I was shopping for