I've been in several other SUV's in the same price range and all felt a lot cheaper/nosier then the Patriot. When I increased the engine size with other SUV's just didn't make any sense with paying more money for a gas guzzler. For the size and what the Patriot is cabable of doing, I don't think there is another similar SUV one could take that could compete with it!

 

I drove a used Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda Tribute 4x2s before trying a Patriot; I didn't think I could afford a brand new small 4x4 SUV. Once I found out what the Patriot cost ($6000 more than the used SUVs) and especially its great gas mileage I was sold.

I put 310km on it driving across Toronto and back by expressway Friday and got about 10km per litre (28mpg?) including stop and go rush-hour driving on the 401.

Outside of some paint problems I'm very happy with it.

 

I put 310km on it driving across Toronto and back by expressway Friday and got about 10km per litre (28mpg?) including stop and go rush-hour driving on the 401.

How was the Patriot on the 40 at expressway traffic speed? Passing, merging, accelerating?

 

The Pat is the only SUV doing less then 10L/100km city........WORD.

*(according to Transport Canada.) and they have to give a 1000$ rebate cuz they are in the same range as the Hybrid's

 

I looked at the Suzuki GV but due to some design flaws and a very poor dealer network I dropped it from consideration. Looked at the RAV4 but the styling was not my taste. I looked at the Ford Escape but felt the design was dated mechanically and some newer vehicles would be better. Only other vehicle under consideration was a Wrangler Unlimited 4 door. Really I only was considering a Patriot but due to the delayed rollout other cars were considered.

 

As for other brand new vehicles, I only compared the Patriot with a few crossovers or wagons, including the Suzuki SX4, Vibe/Matrix, xB, and even the Rio5 (I probably shouldn't admit that last one, but I like the looks of it).

As for an SUV, the only alternatives I've considered are a late-model used Wrangler, or buying an 87-91 Dodge Raider with the intent of rebuilding the engine and probably transmission.

 

There really is not other game in town. I dont know of any true 4x4 SUVs that get well over 20 mpg.

 

We're new to the Jeep family. We test drove the following prior to purchasing our Limited 4X4, CVTII, FDI in Feb 2007:

Subaru Forester - too cramped inside and quality of interior finish not that good - not impressed with the manual transmission.
Toyota RAV4 - bizarre styling/design in driver and front passenger space - seats not that comfortable - otherwise nice drive.
Suzuki Grand Vitara - a close second to the Patriot - not as good MPG as the Patriot - more truck-like ride - limited dealer network.
Kia Sportage - excellent fit and finish in interior spaces - "snooze-mobile" drive - not as good MPG as the Patriot.
Honda CR-V - no lockable 4WD - designed to be more of a "shopper-mobile" - we live in the country on a gravel road and the CR-V would never look good with a speck of dust or dirt on or in it.
Hyundai Tucson - bad MPG - otherwise not too bad.
Honda Element - feels like you're driving a mini step-van - not as good MPG as the Patriot - not dog-friendly

We have NO regrets about having purchased the Patriot.

 

I'm a new Jeeper as well!

I looked at many of those plus the Mazda 5, Kia Rondo, and Subaru Impreza. None seemed to have the all around great value of the Patriot, even if some of those cars were cheaper. The Patriot has a lot of great features and capabilities that a lof other cars in the same price range don't.

 

That's good to hear, ScottH. Hopefully you'll also realize a saving at the pumps with the four banger. I've ordered the same FD1 and 4x4 combination. On two test drives I noticed that the Patriot is quick and smooth, especially coming from a 110HP Focus. One drive was on a short stretch of 401, the other on rural roads. Suspension handled a rail level crossing and some rough pavement nicely.

 

I compared the Patriot to other SUVs and to 4-door sedans as well. for price and features, it seemed like the best deal out there.

 

I was dangerously close to buying a 4x2 Ford Escape but ater taking it on a test drive and feeling the quality of it, it decided to look at the Jeep patriot which was just in at the dealership by my house. Keep in mind this Ford Escape was on clearance for 14,500 at the dealership with 0% financing but i knew i wanted to look at other options. Once i got inside the patriot the Ford Escape was out of the question, I personally feel the "plastic interior" of the patriot is much more modern and fresh looking than the 1990's look and feel of the Escape. Also the patriot had alot more "goodies" than the Escape which is one of the key factors which sold me. All in all im glad i made my decision for a patriot and one of my buddies loved mine so much he ordered his own Inferno red patriot which will be delivered in the next 3 weeks.

 

I've looked at all the above, and the only car/suv I thought was close, was the subura forester/legacy. Very quiet road, and fun to drive. It was also whisper quiet.

The Patriot won due to its off road capabilites, plus it looks better than any other "cute ute," out there.

 

I was originally interested in the Land Rover Freelander but the company bulding the engines went into receivership. Freelander model dropped in US and only now is its replacement, the LR2 coming out but not yet seen one.
Considered Mazda Tribute until I drove one, just could not see myself owning one. Also looked at the Mazda CX-7, but not great mileage AND required premium/high-test fuel.
Briefly considered Ford Escape, but not that enthused by it. Likewise for Subaru Baja its last year. Photos and reviews more promising than the actual item.
Also looked at Honda and Toyota, but value for money was stretched when paying extra for their names and reputations. They are excellent but just a bit too much.
Really desired Wrangler Unlimited 07, but each one I looked at was loaded up with dealer-installed "upgrades" which simply padded the bottom line. Had they resisted the temptation to do that I would have purchased one. Not tempted by the Liberty as mileage was too poor for just a 6 cylinder.
All of my searching allowed a Patriot to come in. It is what I had really been interested in after reading the first preview last year!epper:

 

We had a Liberty for the past 3 years and really liked the vehicle with a few exceptions. 1.) The gas milage was not all that pretty and 2.) Kept bouncing the front skid plate off stuff when off road.

We looked at the following:
- FJ Cruiser - Not bad looking on the outside - inside Tonka truck?
- Nissan X-Terra - Liked it - Downs gas mileage & no all wheel drive.
- 07 Wrangler Unlimited - Really liked it! - Downs gas mileage, no all wheel drive and no roof rack.

The Patriot was just all the right stuff for the right price.
- Good ground clearance
- Price
- Good Gas mileage
- All the safety features
- Did I mention the Price.

 

I looked at the dodge nitro at first, as that was what the dealer had me drive first- really disliked it too big too loud too tipsy- bad impression
otherwise I looked at subaru outback sport and impreza and liked the drive they were just too small and too un-original
I also looked at vw's but you had to get almost if not the nicest trim to get 4x4 and only a passat had this option... jettas arent even offered with 4x4
we drove through a ford dealership and didnt even bother to stop...lol
the patriot was the most economical and practical ride that I considered

 

08 Liberty v Patriot

While we haven't bought a new vehicle, my wife and I are going to wait for the new gen Liberty to come out. We want to test drive it, along with the Patriot to compare the two.

We really like having a 6 cyl engine. Too bad, for 08, the Liberty and/or Patriot doesn't offer a MDS option on a 6 cylinder. If the Patriot did, it would be a hands down winner.

My wife's WJ and my XJ both have the in-line 4.0L.

 

The Dodge Nitro will give ya a good impression about the '08 Liberty. They might even change the name for Cherokee....

 

Don't forget the fact that virtually all the reviewers have panned the Nitro's terrible on-road ride. The Patriot beats it hands-down on over-the-road comfort. Who knows if Jeep will revise the suspension tuning when they turn the Nitro into the new Liberty....?

 

I was in a similar dilemma before buying my Patriot as I was driving my wife's tin-box Toyota Echo sipping 40 mpg with all the safety of a motorcycle! As I looked for something that would seat five, get good mileage, carry kayaks, bicycles, lumber etc and withstand a crash; choices got limited. I had been interested in the Dodge Caliber, and while waiting to see how they would do, I discovered the Jeep Patriot and resolved to not buy anything until I could drive them side-by-side. It was still close, because I like the look of the Caliber, it does get slightly better mileage and a tad sporty. However, having owned a venerable Jeep Cherokee, the Patriot fit like a glove and it was nice to be in a Jeep again. I tried a Scion XB, but for near the same money, the Patriot was much nicer. I must also say I like the CVT the more I drive it, however, it is its reliability I am most concerned with. If they turn out to be good performers, I may end up replacing our Durango with a Caliber when we no longer need to seat 7.

 

I saw a new 07 Liberty Sport 4x4, auto. advertised over the weekend for just over $18,000. I like the styling of the Patriot but you get alot more vehicle with the Liberty when you compare the price and 18G would only get you a no frills Patriot.