Before the patriot, I had a lifted 4WD Grand Cherokee. I loved that car, and especially loved it in the northern Maine winters. I was a bit hesitant trading it in for a 2WD patriot, but I have been quite happy since.

The thing is, the 2wd patriot is a car. Maybe a little more clearance than the average sedan, but it's got high gears and low clearance. That being said, I do really like it. I run studded snow tires in the winter, and while it isn't anything like the grand cherokee, it can hold its own in everything except deep snow (too light, too low, and 2WD).

Plus, getting literally twice the miles per gallon has been nice, too (in the 60k miles I've owned my 2010, I've made up quite a bit of the purchase price in saved gas money).

So, a 4WD patriot would be nice, but unless you plan on off roading it (and in that case, you'd be better of with a different model) you can probably get by with the 2wd. I'd say the notable exceptions would be those folks who live on long dirt roads, have very long driveways, or find themselves in the woods pretty often (the driving factors for my owning the GC in the first place).

 

My prior vehicle was a Suzuki XL7, a body on frame, true 4 wheel drive unit.
While I was doing my online research and shopping around I asked myself, "When was the last time I actually used 4 wheel drive in this thing except on purpose for matters of exercising the system?"

Answer...buy the FWD Patriot.

We get some snow, lots of slush and ice and loads of rain. My FWD has been nothing but sure footed and sound.

(mea culpa: we kept the XL7 so I still have a 4x4 and hitch if needed.)

 

If I wanted FWD, I'd be driving a car. Just my take.

 

I have a FWD Pat and I was pretty hesitant to not get a 4WD one when I was shopping around. Ended up getting a sweet deal on my '12 FWD and have had to deal with snow on a regular basis since I got it in January. I live in Cleveland so snow is like an everyday thing.

I've had zero issues in the snow so far, and I am still running the stock all seasons. I would recommend winter tires to make it bulletproof, but I've not needed them to get around. Stability control is awesome, and the Pat is the first car I've had with it. You'll be fine with fwd, go for it!

 

I think it boils down to the fact that if you're asking if you'd be OK with a 2wd, you'd be OK with a 2wd. If you depended on 4x4, you would know it.

 

I got the 4wd Pat for 19500 otd with 500 trade. You need to make sure you couldn't have bought a 4wd for same price. The great thing about the Pat is an inexpensive 4wd option.

Also if price between 4wd and 2wd is similar the resale on 4wd will be better. I'm pretty sure not positive

 

Plenty of folks do just fine with a 2wd as year round vehicle.
If you don't go off the blacktop, and plow your driveway, 2wd is just fine.
I prefer 4wd, but other than beach driving, 2wd would be fine.
Heck had an fwd neon for +10 years, and it handled winters just fine.

 

I'm pretty impressed with the fwd system, it's not too bad if you don't plan on going too crazy. However you can lift a fwd and get into some fun, I've seen it on youtube. I mostly love the gas mileage of mine. The 2.4L engine is great!

 

I own a 2010 Patriot Latitude FWD. When i was shopping for my Patriot i started looking at the beach. The certain dealership didn't have many 4WD in stock at the time. I ended up buying my Patriot at a different dealership, but i went with a well optioned Latitude FWD because it was a great deal and it is the perfect color.

To be honest I didn't do extensive research about the Patriot and didn't even think to look at a 4WD. I never have a need for it either. Most people in my area who have it don't either. The other day my Patriot handled the icy roads and snow perfectly. There were a few tense moments because of other drivers being idiots, but the Patriot did awesome.


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I, too, am a FWD fan. I've had a number of FWD vehicles in the past (Olds Cutlass Cruiser, Olds Cutlass Supreme, Buick Century, Chevy Celebrity, Saturn Ion). They were all good in the snow, but the Patriot is definitely better.

I suppose it really depends on your purpose. Unless you plan on doing real off-roading, FWD is probably enough. On the other hand, FWD is not for rock climbing, deep mud, or heavy snow. If your town doesn't bother to plow the roads, or you have a camp a dozen miles back in the woods, go w/ 4wd. If the road agent scrapes the snow off the road every few hours, and your camp is on dry ground, FWD should do ya.

Typical snow is not a problem for my FWD Patriot. I live in NH on a narrow winding road with hills and curves, and the Patriot is quite sure-footed. It handles all kinds of snow from fluffy powder to the slushy, mashed-potato stuff that comes in from the coast.

Get good tires. With the money you save not buying the 4wd option and the money you save on fuel, you can probably pay for all the tires you'll ever need. The SRAs that Ignatz came with were adequate in the snow but you can go a bit off-size and do even better (you can check other threads about brands and sizes). I use General Altimax Artics.

Off road, a FWD Patriot can handle poor dirt roads and trails, but don't take on a swamp with it. I posted a story in the 2wd forum about my adventure on several miles of icy trail in mud season. I'd followed Garmin into a real mess, but I got away with it, and that was with the original SRAs that were rather well-worn. Better tires would have done better. There are other stories besides mine in the 2wd forum; some of these guys are pretty adventursome! Frankly, I can't afford to take unnecessary risks.

I got Ignatz to get me around on snowy roads and home every night, and the little guy has never let me down. There were times when I wished I wasn't out in it, but he claws his way up those hills just fine. How often I've thought I wish I'd gotten home before the snow got so deep, and then when I get home I call myself a chicken.

For my purposes 4wd is a waste of $$. Remember, it wasn't that long ago we all drove RWDs and got around just fine. IMHO 4wd is either for those who really need it, for the faint of heart, or for those who don't know how to drive in snow -- they wind up in a ditch anyway, because 4wd isn't magic.

For the record we also own a Wrangler. It goes w/out saying but I'll say it anyway: FWD Patriot is wa-a-ay better than the Wrangler in 2wd.

I think Tyler711 above said it pretty well. If you're debating, you probably don't need 4wd.

 

great point.

how have you gotten around with the big snow storms in new England this year ? I know there have been some 12 inch snow and more right?

I know a big one is coming soon. We have a friend that lives in Vermont.

 

I bought 4wd, I don't deal with snow where i live, but we do have family that live in snow areas, and we tend to visit them during the holidays and end up dealing with snow.

I've had motorcycles since I was 15, gave them up when I had kids. needed a new hobby, used to go off roading with my dad, so I decided it was the new family activity. had the whole family out on monday, and there is NO way a fwd could have gone where we went. We even passed a few 4wd trucks that had low profile tires with all season/summer rubber on them, and had to pull one of them up the hill side.

 

I still prepare 4WD ever since I got use to it...
I can't see myself owning a FWD.

 

I owned both vehicles. I had a 2010 Patriot FWD and the only thing I didn't like was the torque over-steer. Everytime it was damp out or if I had the wheel turned to one side the tires would spin easily. Then I purchased a 2012 Patriot 4wd and it handles and feels much more secure on the road, to me it was a night and day difference. Especially in heavy rains I can feel a difference in the handling. You also get 4 wheel disc brakes all around vs disc in front and drum in the rear. I would stick with a 4wd Patriot.

 

I will disagree with those who say if you are asking it means a FWD is all you need. To me if you have any concerns and are asking if FWD is enough the answer is no it isn't. For me 4WD is a no brainer. Even if you only need to use it once you will be glad you have it. In the end it is your decision. For me a FWD never entered the equation.

Now, my Sister who lives near me is considering a Patriot for her next vehicle. I have suggested she get a FWD not a 4WD to keep the payment down. She will not go out and drive in the bad weather. Just won't do it. If she does it is an emergency and she barely moves. In her case 4WD would be a waste.

 

If FWD would work for me I'd be in something that got 40MPG. Like Metaxa I was looking to replace my Chevy Tracker that had over 100K miles on it. My top needs were: 4x4, decent MPG, and clearance, to make my driveway, especially in winter.

Which is why I went for the FDII Patriot. Now thinking of trading my 08 for a new one I wonder if an FDI would be good enough so I can get a few more MPG.

I still have the Tracker too, with over 210K miles on it now. My wife uses it rather than drive the Ram PU, which only gets about 12MPG.

 

If FWD would work for me I'd be in something that got 40MPG

^^ this ^^

 

All I'm saying is make sure you went around all dealerships. Fwd Pats. Are same price as 4wd up here. Don't trust salesperson it's on you.

 

anyone own a FWD Patriot that has to deal with snow on a regular basis in the winter? I'm in Indiana and for the most part, the past couple winters have been very mild. I think I could do just fine without the 4x4 but I like having it 'just in case' I need it.

I think you answered your own question here. Though it seems that there are a lot of members with FWD Pats who say that their FWD's are very capable! I wouldn't mind a FDI or FWD Pat for when me and my gf get married next year (for her...I'd keep my Pat ) but otherwise I love my FDII too much.

 

To recap: It all depends on how you're using it. Nobody really needs 4wd for snow on properly maintained roads. If you're venturing off-road then it depends on where you expect to go. Your firiends on this site have given you all the info you need.

If you want a professional opinion: http://www.allpar.com/reviews/2008/patriot-offroad.html

Whichever you choose, you won't be disappointed.

 

Just remember to get the most bang for the buck. You don't want to feel buyers remorse.

 

well thanks for all the insight. I don't know that I "need" 4WD but I DO "need" the best possible fuel mileage. going from a 4WD 5sp Latitude to a FWD 5sp Latitude would, from what I've heard and read, I could pick up a couple MPGs which on my daily commute of 50 miles, would help out on the monthly Shell card payment.

as for really using the 4WD, I don't use it that often. I think the onlly thing I might miss is the traction from my Goodyear Wrangler SR-A's. the Firestones on the FWD one I'm looking at look puny, but I checked tirerack.com and they seem to have a pretty good rating and positive surveys. maybe looks are deceiving.

so......with all that in mind, I'm taking a second look at the Black 2012 FWD Latitude and see for sure where I'm at. the one thing that the '12 has over my '11 is that its got the uConnect Bluetooth Hands Free Communication. I HATE wearing my bluetooth 'ear' when driving, so having that would be great.

will let you know what happens........to be continued

 

Col Pudgebutt-

How many times do you think you have had to use 4WD since you got the 2011 Pat to get/keep moving?
Notice I said HAD TO, not did it because you wanted to (or it was easier.).

 

Good question to ask but...

Lee, I've only locked my 4x4 once on the road, but I believe it went into AWD many times without me knowing. I've driven FWD vehicles on roads during bad winter weather, and although they can do pretty well, none have ever been as good as my Patriot (without locking 4x4).

This happens often when on trails (for me anyway). I do turn on the 4x4 lock when it's muddy or I know I'm going to climb hills. I have a FDII though...do FDI's go into awd too? They do, right?

 

How many times do you think you have had to use 4WD since you got the 2011 Pat to get/keep moving?
Notice I said HAD TO, not did it because you wanted to (or it was easier.).

Lee, I've only locked my 4x4 once on the road, but I believe it went into AWD many times without me knowing. I've driven FWD vehicles on roads during bad winter weather, and although they can do pretty well, none have ever been as good as my Patriot (without locking 4x4).

 

:doh:

where's my coffee??

 

I have a 4WD with a stick.

Was looking at cars, and some affordable stylish wagons when shopping. I had always liked the Pat and always wanted Jeep (a Wrangler). I ended up putting two and two together and bought the Pat.

4WD was not my desire going in, but it is sure helpful. Certainly not needed. A FWD would have done fine, with some snows on it for us, but the $1000 premium I paid for 4WD on a 4 year old Pat was worth it. I live on a crescent (last to get snowplowed) with a steep incline and cars often get stuck literally right in front of our house...snows or not. Not happened to me yet this year.

In summary, If you off road, go 4WD. If you drive in snow, snow tires are likely a better safety option than 4WD without snows, or you may eb able to get away with FWD and no snows.... what most of my prior cars have been and never really had any trouble.

 

^ You kinda unintentionally reminded me of something that I wish they would've made the FDII's have as an available option...a 5 speed manual trans If I could've gotten a FDII with a manual, I'd be in heaven and wouldn't ever want to trade it in! EVERRRR!

 

When I ordered mine, the trail rated option was almost a no brainer. You got a lot for the money IMHO. I wanted the clearance, and skid plates, and getting the fogs, bigger alternator, hooks, and a full size spare were bonuses.