I think you already listed most of the differences. MPG, space, standard options, daily commute use, camping, all lean towards the Patriot.


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Yep agreed. I am looking at getting an older wrangler to toy with. But I am definitely loving the patriot for daily use and some off roading. She definitely does well...


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I personally love my Patriot. I don't do rock climbing, but for bumpy trails and a little mud, the Patriot works great. I usually average 20-22 mpg around town and high 20's on the highway. Just search around this forum and you'll find tons of good and bad things about the Patriot (just as you will find on the Wrangler forums). For most, the good far outweighs the bad.

You can also add the metal skid plates and tow hooks from the trail rated Patriot later down the road. The 2012's all have the FDII spring heights, but you can also still add the Rocky Road Outfitters 2 1/4" lift kit or Murchison's lift springs to gain some additional height and fit slightly larger tires.

In my opinion, the Patriot is thee most capable of the soft-roader SUV's out there (vs. the Honda/Nissan/Hyundai/etc. competitors).

 

And, for 19k you get a Patriot that is pretty loaded up and does what it is capable of doing (which is a surprising amount) hidden in the vehicle is stability control, roll control, etc.

For 20k you get a Wrangler that will need a ton of modifications to even come close to being the off roader it should be.

So, understanding the differences between the two...one you are done at 19, the other you are only just starting at 20.

 

If you don't need a back seat all the time, JK. Remove the rear seat and it has more cargo space than a Patriot with the rear seats folded. You have to stack, so it's a bit tricky, but I camp with my much smaller TJ without difficulty. The JK has all of the same nannies the MK does, roll mitigation, stability control, blah blah blah). The JK is many many times better off the road. The JK is a convertible. The JK has HUGE aftermarket support. The JK will retain its value MUCH better than a MK, in fact the JK will be in the top 5 of all SUVs for resale value, the MK will probably be bringing up the rear. The JK has a better motor, transmission, axles, suspension components. The JK has low range.

Okay before I get banned, things the MK is better at....
A better ride quality, it just goes down the road with a softer ride than a JK.
On snow and ice I would rather be in a MK. compared to 4wd, AWD wins that every time (although the JK has all of those nannies in place, so it's better than what you've had in the past)
fuel economy
a usable back seat, with storage behind it.
side impact ratings for the MK is better than a JK, I believe front and rear they rank the same.

An important consideration that you may have over looked..... the JK probably does not have power windows, locks or mirrors. This is a non-issue in my TJ as it's an easy reach for me for the window and lock. Also I'm the only one who drives my TJ so I set my mirrors and leave them. In a JK, I believe they are about 6 inches wider than a TJ so reaching for the window and lock could be annoying. If the vehicle is shared, adjusting mirrors may be an issue you grow to hate.

 

I could do this and close the hatch on my Pat. Dont think I can sleep back there, either.

 

I have a 99 Cherokee in very good shape but I drive our Patriot everywhere now with the price of gas what it is.

 

I have a '12 JKU and a '12 MK Limited, so hopefully I can help. Both are very similar optioned (nav, u connect.. all the goodies)

If I had to only pick one I'd have to be really honest about the use and if budget is important.

If space was at all a concern I'd go MK over a JK. We looked at the JK before the JKU, but there was just no way I personally could live with JUST the JK.

Mileage again goes to the MK. We have a FDII 4x4 and with approx 800 miles on the ODO we get around 23 mpg. The JKU only averages 17.5 - 18 (BEFORE MODS)

Ride ON ROAD goes to the MK. The JKU is great, but the MK is still more comfortable. Rides smoother IMO.

One more advantage to the MK is you can get a few more options over the JK. Personally I'm not happy with completely bare bones.

Now it seems like I'm sold on the MK (and I am) BUT THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A WRANGLER!! I love mine and probably won't ever sell it, but if you're on a budget it'll be TORTURE. You will get the urge to mod. You won't be able to fight it. Your wallet will be emptied!! I bought mine for DD use and now I'm over 4K deep in mods in 8 months, and I'm just getting started. I've got a 2.5" lift waiting in the garage for the weekend AND new wheels and tires on the way. It's a sickness I swear......

 

I would love to have gotten a Wrangler Unlimited, but coming from a lifted Isuzu Trooper, then a Scion xB, I wanted the best of both worlds. I love how maneuverable the Patriot is, its great on gas, and I got it fully loaded with leather, NAV, and FDII for just under $25k. Similar configuration (if you can compare) in a four door Wrangler would have been at least $10-15k more, plus I would have taken a bigger beating at the pump. I consistently get 20 MPG in the city with my Patriot. Ride quality is fantastic, off-roadability will impress, and there are enough mods available to keep me busy and happy. I had never really considered the 2 door Wrangler because I like having 4 doors, and at the time I looked I could have sworn the FDII Patriot had a higher towing rating than a 2 door Wrangler

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That sir is a good point... My patriot was around 25K and my JKU was around 35K

 

My opinion, get the Wrangler. Buying the Patriot only made me want and justify buying another (newer) Wrangler. But I had a family to to consider, I need a 4 door vehicle for the kids. I bought a Wrangler later for my use to and from work and for FUN! I love both vehicles and am fighting my wife on keeping the Patriot (she wants to trade it in for a 2012 Cherokee). Either one would be a good choice for different reasons. I hate paying the same ammount of money in gas for both cars and yet my wife drive 2x the miles that I do.

 

Go ahead and buy the JK and I will trade you my lifted Patriot for it

 

wow a lot of replies! I really appreciate the help. I took a wrangler for another test drive last night. As mentioned above, I rarely have use for a rear seat and removing it would open up enough space for all of my camping gear.

A lot of the reviews I have read on Patriot fuel economy averages 23 mpg in a lot of cases and the Wrangler 19mpg for a base sport.. that's not much a difference considering the power difference! Finally, I know the wrangler will hold a much better resale value. As both vehilces are almost the same price new.. the odds are in the JK's favor.

Do not get me wrong I do love the patriot! These vehicles have completely opposite pros and cons, it's a shame the wrangler didn't have power options for $20g, or Patriot with 285hp, i'd be sold! I'll make my decision soon. Thanks!

 

I have another revelation for ya....I get 21+ with my 2012 Wrangler!

 

Buy the Wrangler four door just spend the money. Then again a New Wrangler Hardtop can run ya another $10,000 more than a new Patriot depending on what you want as far as options. Kind of a tough choice but if money is no object then go with a new Wrangler. My 2-cents.

 

I was going to buy a Wranger because wrenching the shocks, springs were easier to get to no tough things like struts besides parts were more plentiful and the price difference of $1500 for a rag top and no space for my wife to transport her plants and big items besides she called it ugly and for another $1500 I could have a hardtop but still I wouldn't have the air and power windows. I hate manual locks and window cranks. Three separate salesman asked me if it was worth it as I only use it part off road hunting 5-7 days of the year, so I bought a MK

 

Thank you again everyone for the help!

In the end I decided to buy the wrangler due to nice incentives the dealer was willing to include for me.

I'm now the proud owner of a white 2012 Wrangler 2dr Sport, 6spd, AC and 3.73 gears

 

Now I find myself in the same boat. On paper and for my objective needs, getting another Patriot is an absolute no brainer. If I follow my heart, I just may find my way back to the Wrangler fold.

 

I'm with you JoesJeeps, I just love the JKU, but I drive 100 miles a day for work, and a couple hundred miles each weekend, and with gas prices as they are I worry about the on-going costs, as well as the up front cost difference. But I do love those JKUs

 

I love the pat. It does everything I need it. I is cheap to drive (insurance, gas mpg), it was cheap to buy (cheapest 4 wheel drive suv), it does great in denver snow and mountain snow, it does great in the summer getting me up trails (won't do as well as a wrangler ever but better than anything else in its class), i personally like its looks too, very fashionable interior and exterior. It also has more room in it than most in its class. Don't look at cubic feet but rather take a look at how much floor room the back has in it with the seats down. I would rather lay stuff flat then stack it up and crush the things underneath it. I've even slept in it a few times, enough room for a sleeping bag.

 

Yeah.... I'm another one of the guys who couldn't make my mind up, initially, but I went with a Patriot. (Price won out over all else, ultimately, since this was supposed to be my daily driver, to use when I didn't want to drive my sports car.)

Now that I've owned it for a while? I'm *very* unhappy with the build quality. GREAT vehicle in concept, but Chrysler crippled it in the execution, thanks to the poor ball joints/tie rod ends, the garbage Jatco CVT, and misc. cutting of corners everywhere else (from the factory battery which died years earlier than I would have expected, to all the cheap plastic in the interior).

All the problems made me keep second guessing if I shouldn't have just gone with the Wrangler to start with ... except I'm hearing about all sorts of issues on that side of the fence too.

When I'm totally honest, objective and practical about things? I realize a Wrangler only makes sense for someone truly doing a lot of camping, off-roading, etc. (Sensible choice, too, if you live in a rural area with no paved access to your residence.) Otherwise, you're really just paying too much for gas and more than necessary in a monthly car payment to own a vehicle that's not incredibly trouble-free or reliable, and lacks some "creature comforts" in the interest of sticking true to its roots as a "rugged, former military" vehicle.

If I was doing this all over again today? I think I'd have to put aside my personal like of the Jeep heritage and emphasis of being fully "off-road capable" ... and face the facts that "they're just not what they used to be". With a family (including 3 kids), seating is important too. (The Patriot seats 5 -- not just 4 like many other vehicles in its class, which is a plus. But as the kids get older, it's pretty cramped.)

I could get a brand new "last years' model" Nissan XTerra for around $20K right now... among other alternatives. Hate to say it, but pretty sure it wouldn't need a new transmission at 68,000 miles like my Patriot did!

 

Now that I've owned it for a while? I'm *very* unhappy with the build quality. GREAT vehicle in concept, but Chrysler crippled it in the execution, thanks to the poor ball joints/tie rod ends, the garbage Jatco CVT, and misc. cutting of corners everywhere else (from the factory battery which died years earlier than I would have expected, to all the cheap plastic in the interior).

You had the option to get a manual transmition to replace the CVT, and the updates after the 2011 model have much better interior and better exterior. I haven't had any problem with my pat as far as ball joints or battery. Maybe they fixed these issues in the new models.

 

I had 2 Patriots, never had a major problem with either one. The 2009 even had a sunroof. Nice and dry the whole time I owned it. I would still be driving the 2011 if i didnt get such a good deal on the 2012 Wrangler. The Pat was more refined, I had an FDII Lat X. I kinda miss the comfort and convenience. Until I leave work and it's 80 deg and I pull down the soft top on my Wrangler. Or go for a Sunday cruise with the doors off. The mpg in my 2dr Sport are up to 21.5 with 1500 miles, I expect to squeeze another 1 to 1.5 out as it breaks in and I switch to synthetic oil. Thats comparable to my FDII, so that dog dont hunt, fellas. While Im not particularly impressed with the 6-speed manual, I wish I would have gotten the 5-speed auto, I am VERY satisfied with the 3.6L. The power is fantastic, I wont bore you with stories of blowing off EVERY other SUV who has tried to pull me from a light and cut me off. I know you "Family Guys" dont put much stock in horsepower and performance, but this Wrangler will chirp the tires in 3rd....

 

The mpg in my 2dr Sport are up to 21.5 with 1500 miles, I expect to squeeze another 1 to 1.5 out as it breaks in and I switch to synthetic oil. Thats comparable to my FDII, so that dog dont hunt, fellas.

I sent you a pm asking this, but for the rest of us to know!..

I don't know what to expect out of my wrangler for fuel economy but your numbers rock! I am curious if you have the 3.21 or 3.73 gears? I have the bare bones sport with 16" wheels but I have AC and 3.73 gears.

Let me know your setup, thanks!

 

Hard to see what else is in that JK preventing him from packing it properly.

 

lol The front seat! Under the 2x4's there was a piece of plywood, cut in 30x48 strips. They were just a little too long to lie flat, also. I really thought 2x4's would be sticking out MORE. I do miss the interior room in the Pat. It would be helpful if the front seat folded flat, like the Patriot.

 

Well, the Patriot is gone. Went for a 2012 JK Sport. I got a decent price on a JK and then I asked about trade in on the Patriot. After driving it for almost 3 years and 46,000 miles, I was offered about $1000 less than I paid for it. My Cash 4 Clunkers Patriot purchase made it possible. With the current incentives, I could have gotten $2000 off on a 2012 Patriot, but the Wrangler kept calling me back. Great vehicle, very happy with the switch, even with the mileage difference.

 

Awesome! Great choice! Now let's see some pictures somewhere! (Unless I missed it?)

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