The reviewers are bias towards foreign vehicles. I personally think its the up with the best compact suvs. It may not get the mpgs of the best but its up there. It may not be as luxurious as some but for the price how could you complain? I personally like the looks of the patriot more than any other compact suv but that is just personal preference. Reliability has been good for me so far but I'm only at 40k miles. It is way more capable off road than most compact suvs. Its snow performance is great too.

 

I just purchased a 2014 Patriot Latitude with Freedom Drive I, 2.4L engine, and 6 speed auto transmission. I currently only have 530 miles on it, but I have been loving it so far. I had the same issues with reading reviews, but I eventually decided to make my own decision. After test driving one, I immediately fell in love with it. It has such a nice ride on the road and I don't find that I have problems keeping up with traffic or merging on thehighway. I haven't had the chance to test it offroad, but all I've heard are good things about its offroad performance. I have only filled up twice so far and I have averaged about 22 mpg both times, which I am fine with for an SUV. I find that there is plenty of room for anything I need (reviews will tell you that the Patriot has less storage than its competitors, but if I don't that since it is boxy, it gives more room than it lets on). Before I left work today, I had my 6 ft 3 in tall coworker sit in the back seat and he commented on how much room he had to work with (he also loved the reclining rear seat feature). Upfront there is plenty of room for the driver and passenger. I have read mixed reviews about the interior, some saying it is "cheap", but I love it. Its a simple set up but it works great.

For me, I found the Latitude package to have everything I needed and then some. I think it would be worth a test drive to see how it feels, but I don't think you will be disappointed. Let us know how it turns out!

 

It's affordable, decent MPG, good cargo space, decent clearance, decent off-road, excellent on road in snow, good on road feel, performance, and agility, comfortable for tall drivers. It fit my needs well, and my 14 FDII replaced my 08 FDII with over 130K miles on it.

One of the very few vehicles that will get up my driveway in winter

Old, but decent review
http://www.tflcar.com/2012/03/the-2012-jeep-patriot-is-bacon-to-my-eggs/

 

LMAO, I just re-read my post, looks like "decent" was my word of the day.

Here's my 08 going up my driveway

 

If you can still get a FD1 with a CVT, I'd recommend that above the 6-spd as there's absolutely nothing wrong with it(despite what the reviewers would have you believe), it's fun to drive with, smoother, and you get better mileage.

 

My wife purchased her 2014 Patriot Latitude FDI 4x4 last June. Performance through a Central New York winter was phenomenal - we could not get her Jeep stuck in any amount or condition of snow! I ordered and purchased my 2014 Patriot Latitude FDII 4x4 this past March. We both could not be happier with our acquisitions. Purchase with confidence that you are getting the best value in a 4x4 SUV for the money and then some.

 

We purchased our 2014 Patriot in January with 32 miles on it. We got it with the Latitude trim, Sun/Sound package, 2.4L engine, and 6 speed automatic. My wife has been doing most of the driving since I am away with work but she really enjoys it and it has made quite a few hassle free trips up to MD. It fits everything we need and I think the interior is really nice. It is a solid little vehicle and looks great also. From what I have read on here the Patriot will last for a long time and they don't seem prone to huge problems. Also, Jeep has a really good warranty program. I would go ahead and buy one!

 

I have almost 3200 miles on my 2014 Freedom Drive I, 6 spd AT, Latitude, Sun and Sound. No complaints on performance, ride (highway or back roads). My ONLY complaint is that the seats are less supportive than I would like. I wonder if the Limited has better seats. Then again, maybe it's just me and MY back. As stated already, tall drivers will have NO problem with leg room or head room, front seats or rear. My tall daughter doesn't mind sitting in the back seat at all. It's comfortable to sleep in, too!
I am averaging 25.7 mpg, with 25.5 being normal for the A/C running most of the time. My best mpg was 26.4. Good stereo (although some might want more), good Bluetooth and convenience features. I like the classic boxy shape, having come from a '99 Jeep Cherokee XJ. If Toyota made the same exact vehicle, it would be lauded as a breakthrough. I like the interior the way it is-simple. Very happy with it all around.

 

I too have a 2014 Patriot Latitude purchased in April, just turned over 1100 miles, and it's a great economical little vehicle. I'm 6'2", 325 lbs, and fit comfortably inside. Not nearly as big as my 2003 Dodge Ram, but it gets better than twice the mileage. The Dodge was getting around 10mpg, and now I average 22-24mpg, and it's real nimble in traffic. Mine also has the 2.4, 6 speed auto, FD 1 4x4. I do miss the pick-up aspect of having a truck, but I'll remedy that with the purchase of a small trailer, I also have lots of friends with pick-ups, who wouldn't mind the vehicle swap for a couple hours if really needed.

 

I like mine. I spent four months looking at every small SUV on the market and decided on the Patriot. A little less room than I'm used to having (went from an F-150 to the Patriot) but overall pretty comfortable. This past winter was awful and the Patriot did great.
My sister has a 2011 Patriot and was t-boned last week. The Chevy Equinox that hit her was heavily damaged and most likely totaled, my sister's Patriot held up great and she wasn't hurt aside from a little bruise. Seeing how well her Patriot protected her just reinforced my opinion that the Patriot is a solid small SUV for a great price.

 

My First post! I always wanted a Patriot and I got a good deal on a used 2014, black ext and black int. I am so happy with mine. Great for outdoor fun! The gas is my only issue if anything, but I don't care. I love my Patriot! WOOT!!!!!!epper:

 

I had an escape (2005) and sold it with 178k on it for fear that the engine or trans was going to fall out of it then having to spend 4k on a 2k car. I loved that car because it reminded me of my 95 Cherokee (which I put almost 200k on). I looked at all the SUV's. The patriot was the cheapest but had a nice ride, was way less money than most and they have an optional lifetime warranty. I love the box style, in fact that's what I looked for in almost every car I buy. I've got less than 1k miles on this but so far so good. The other reason I got rid of the Escape was that with the Front wheel drive and tighter suspension it was outright dangerous in the rain. I couldn't keep the front end from spinning no matter what tires I put on. This one though its still front wheel drive I hope will be better. The only complaint I have which isn't very big is the small tank. But compared to the 46 gallons my F250 holds I don't get sticker shock when filling it up.

 

JeepPat408 - Welcome to the forum!

 

I bought my 2014 Sport last week and already have 600 miles on it (I have a terrible commute). It came with a 5-speed manual, all of the features of the Latitude, and the wheel and tire package that comes from the FDI/FDII group. It has gotten to the point that every small SUV and CUV look exactly the same. No one mistakes a Jeep for anything else.

I ran into the same issues with reviews by 'professionals', but quickly realized they were comparing the Patriot based on technology options and body styling, but not realizing Jeep loyalists love it. I'm more of a Jeep purist and my first car was a Wrangler, but I have a long commute and two kids, so I needed fuel efficiency as well. Want to know the real difference for me? I paid $19,500 for a brand new 4x4 that gets 27 mpg, won't leave me stranded, and in my opinion looks great, and the editors were driving a $30,000 CR-V that can pick up groceries and blend in with every other SUV on the road.

A good comparison is how they also beat up Subaru (which I also own). It's always written off as, 'Subaru owners are a little different and don't care anyway'. My Subaru stopped to help a trapped 'SUV' in the sand last year, but that doesn't make it into the articles.

 

Don't let the so called experts bother you, get the Jeep!

 

Just picked up my 2014 Sport. Love it. Can anyone tell me if changing the oil after the 500mile breakin is recommended?

 

Also I notcied the 5M is must quicker than the 6auto. Can anyone verify the manual 4x4 as being the best choice. For those that know how to use one I guess. Such as myself.

 

I'm partial to a manual, and based on experience with other CVTs, I personally like it better. It's actually pretty smooth for an SUV. As with my past Jeeps, finding reverse is an adventure, so I hope you don't need to go anywhere in reverse in a hurry.

 

Ok Ok so I am posting to reach the picture post limit. Sorry but only want to be able to fully participate. Thanks all for understanding!

 

I like manuals, but my knees are shot, and I wanted the FDII, so CVT it is. I actually like the CVT, and this is my second Patriot with it.

 

Longest driveway ever! lol

 

I've had my 2014 sport 4x4 2.4L 6 speed since January and had no regrets! I get 28-30 mpg now with my best being 30.8. It was on a fishing trip where I went 60 the whole way. I went through two feet of snow very easily on the road. Didn't have to turn it into true 4wd, just lock it. It's very roomy everywhere. Plenty in room in back for tall and bigger passengers but only two, the third seat could be used if they're all tiny or children. When folded down I have plenty of room when I go on trips or vacation for all of my stuff plus my two dogs. You can even fit 2x4s in the center with the door closed. Just make sure you have something in the front just in case so it won't scratch your radio The few things I would like to change would be having the passenger seat fold down, the visor either be longer or have it pull out to the end of the window, and better controls for listening to a cd. But besides that I love it! I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone!

 

I've had my Patriot for 2 days now and seems to be a very solid vehicle. 6 speed auto shifts smoothly and the 2.4L moves the vehicle in an efficient manner. My wife loves it as I now open her door with the key instead of just hitting the remote as we approach. Really enjoyed the first couple days!