Patiently waiting

I had a 93 Cherokee and kick myself for getting rid of it several years ago. I picked it up in special order in Philly (PA) after returning from overseas with the military. It had 4x4 and the 4 cylinder 2.5 litre stick shift. The 4 cylinder was all I needed and gave me decent mileage (about 24 MPG average).
The only mention I've seen about the engine availability in the Patriot mention the 2.4 litre 4 cylinder engine for all markets and the 2.0 litre diesel engine for the international market. I hopefully expect that Jeep will eventually supply the diesel here once the cleaner diesel fuel is mandatory.
The 2.4 should be plenty powerful unless you do a lot of mud slinging or hill climbing, as it's more powerful that the old 4 cylinder and the Patriot should be a little lighter than the old Cherokee.

 

This is incredible.

It appears to me they are in part bringing back the old Cherokee, albeit built on a modern platform with newer technology. I for one hope the Patriot will have the Liberty's 3.7 v6 and a true low-range transfer case available, at least for the North American market. But for most soccer moms and suburbanites the 2.4 with a front or all-wheel drive should be enough, as long as it comes with an automatic, teehee...

 

yeah, i know the 4 seems a bit small, but even if it had true low, i could live with it. i was excited about the commander, but it's too big for me...i love my cherokee, and need a new daily, so i can play with the cherokee a little more than i do now. i think Jeep would be stupid NOT to give it a 6 though, it's not a Suzuki, !

but yeah, it should be a little lighter, and new technology isn't a bad thing, the cherokees are a bit simplistic, but extremely rugged....

we shall see what comes out!

 

Motor Trend reports it will have a CVT tranny, capable of sickly-low range gearing, so the 170hp 4-banger (what Jeep calls its "world engine") may not be too bad for off-road crawling.

I'm sure they'll offer the 3.7 V6 as an option; it's already slotted for the new Wrangler and Mercedes has been using that same block for years.

Anyone know the estimated MPG for the 4-banger?

 

The ideal set up with the Patriot and I hope the execs at Jeep are paying attention is to provide the 4.0L inline 6 with a straight front axel. That's how the Cherokee's are set up and honestly I think Jeep dropped the ball with the Liberty.

Independent front axels are not as reliable, or as rugged as a straight front axel. The Liberty design does not wotk if your a serious off-roader the way they designed the front end. I have noticed the claws that meet the wheel assembly on the fronts (of the Liberty) can hang up on rocks.

Also on an inline engine is a better design than a V configuration.

Bottom Line, bring back the most popular design that sold well for 17 years and call it the Cherokee II

 

Gas Mileage

I just looked on Dodge's website and the 2.4L Caliber engine (supposedly what the Patriot will have) is rated at 23 city/26 hwy.

This would be a nice increase over my 1993 Grand Cherokee that gets about 15-16 city, 18-20 highway.

 

The ideal set up with the Patriot and I hope the execs at Jeep are paying attention is to provide the 4.0L inline 6 with a straight front axel. That's how the Cherokee's are set up and honestly I think Jeep dropped the ball with the Liberty.

Independent front axels are not as reliable, or as rugged as a straight front axel. The Liberty design does not wotk if your a serious off-roader the way they designed the front end. I have noticed the claws that meet the wheel assembly on the fronts (of the Liberty) can hang up on rocks.

Also on an inline engine is a better design than a V configuration.

Bottom Line, bring back the most popular design that sold well for 17 years and call it the Cherokee II

I doubt if you'll see any in-line 6 cylinder engines in future Jeeps. It may be tougher to meet frontal impact standards with an in-line 6 (less crumple space space available with an in-line 6 vs a V-6 in the same engine space). Even the Wrangler is going to a V-6 next year and dropping the 4.0 engine.
Since the Patriot will be based on the Caliber platform, I'm pretty sure it will have independent suspension, just like the Caliber. So, it doesn't look like the Patriot will resemble the Cherokee except for the looks and the Jeep badge.

John

 

I think too many people complaioned about the Cherokee being replaced by the little Liberty.

I am glad to see that it is coming back!