But unless you're expecting to go trail-blazing through the Kalahari

sweet! that's a great endorsement if I've ever seen one. epper:

 

poltics

They can't acknowledge that an suv can get better mileage than an econocar

 

They can't acknowledge that an suv can get better mileage than an econocar

right.

and cheap interior design is terrible. i mean, it keeps costs down you know... thats baaaad.

and lackluster engine power. thats baaad too. it should have had a hemi and diamond encrusted interior in it. that would have been practical...

retarded

 

I like mine and no news report can tell me any different.

If I wanted to spend some serious coin to get what they would normally car a "perfect" car. I'd buy a Lamborghini. and even they breakdown all the time!

 

If it's so lame, then whyizzit it's so hard to find a used one?

 

Only list I care for is my own list. Heck, the Patriot wasn't even ON MY LIST and I bought it!!!

 

I didn't have a list. I didn't "need" a car. I took a huge financial hit trading a less than 2 year old car just to get the Patriot. That is how motivated I was to get one of these great Jeeps.


" But unless you're expecting to go trail-blazing through the Kalahari, " That actually over states the capability a little

 

As many leak problems as I have had with mine I still think it is the best small suv out there. Just don't get one with a sunroof. There is no suv in the patriot's class that gets better gas mileage and isn't that what we all want better gas mileage in something other than a shoe box on wheels.

 

What they failed to mention, that the 163 days of supply is due to Chrysler mismanagement of ordering Patriots with either little or no options in them, not to mention mostly 4x2s. Try to locate a 4x4 LTD, FDIIs, or RMEs, none exist anywhere! Should investigate before shooting off their trap.

 

What does it mean ... "reviewers"? Who are they ... anonymous people writing "reviews" on the internet? These reviews can be easily faked eg. by bloody-minded competition. I have read dozens of official reviews from concrete auto magazines and concrete editors, etc. and the absolute majority of them rate the Jeep Patriot as very good and capable (for the money of course) and many times they say it`s better in some aspects than it`s competitors. I don`t care what Edmuds or anyone else is trying to do or prove here. I tested just about all comparable mid-size SUVs myself and wasn`t completely satisfied with any of them. The best "fit" for me was the Nissan Quashqai, until I tried out the Jeep Patriot, that is. Saw it for the first time and liked it. Sat in it, drove it and loved it ... still love it after almost a year. And I won`t let anybody`s BS criticism spoil my happiness and "relationship" with my Pat!

 

What does it mean ... "reviewers"? Who are they ... anonymous people writing "reviews" on the internet? These reviews can be easily faked eg. by bloody-minded competition. I have read dozens of official reviews from concrete auto magazines and concrete editors, etc. and the absolute majority of them rate the Jeep Patriot as very good and capable (for the money of course) and many times they say it`s better in some aspects than it`s competitors. I don`t care what Edmuds or anyone else is trying to do or prove here. I tested just about all comparable mid-size SUVs myself and wasn`t completely satisfied with any of them. The best "fit" for me was the Nissan Quashqai, until I tried out the Jeep Patriot, that is. Saw it for the first time and liked it. Sat in it, drove it and loved it ... still love it after almost a year. And I won`t let anybody`s BS criticism spoil my happiness and "relationship" with my Pat!

i think THAT'S key.

lets face it. the Patriot is a relatively cheap ride. (cheap as in price, not quality). it is an affordable car. priced like an economy car even.

the competition, in my opinion, is overpriced - the honda CRV, Nissan Xterra, etc. the The Jeep Patriot may not be a Bentley, with its tupperware interior, but it is definitely one of the 'best bang for your buck' rides out right now.

i think its a shame that the Patriot made its debut in 2007. If it had come out around 2002, i think a lot of people would have jumped on the bandwagon. people dont even know about the Patriot! sad really... oh well, more for me...

 

See this thread---again and again and again--by people who drove the Patriot in its intended environments--both on and OFF ROAD. Quit worry about CR, ABC, Edmunds, ect.!!!!!!

http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/reviews/patriot/index.htm

 

I bought the Patriot because I have five years before I can retire and move to Maine permanently. I wanted something that had green gas mileage and wasn't beating up the environment for the commute in Jersey, but could honestly go on the logging roads (and worse) where we live in Maine (had a '94 Montero before). There are a lot more seasonal and temporary roads where we are there than "regular" roads, and everything that's good is at the other end of oe of them.

This has the gas mileage of a tinny, little, sensible car, but it's a Real Jeep, skid plates and all. And I don't care what they print: it has plenty of cajones on the road, and handles and corners flatter than anything I've ever driven before (okay...except the Austin Healey roadster).

Edmunds has entirely missed what makes this car special. Screw 'em.

 

Edmunds had me sold on the Mazda 3i Sport when I started my search... Pfffttttt.

 

most of the dipsticks that write these reviews sleep with " i love imports " tattoed on their forhead. they can't face the facts that an american built vhhicle is better that their imported crap !

 

Makes sense. An import has to face and defeat the locals. Since marketing is everything, pay off the Edmunds of the world and reap in the rewards...

 

I really don't understand these reviews. I'll go over vehicles(in the same class)that I have driven for a period of time (not test drives).

Honda Element - Engine is very similar, if not even weaker that the Patriot. Inside is all plastic. At least on the 04 model (which was the top of the line one) that I drove for a few weeks.

Subaru Foreter - Again, engine was very similar. The automatic i drove was basically the same, the manuel one i owned for 4 years had a slightly quicker pick up, but only because it was a manual and my Pat is auto. Interior was terrible on both foresters. Plastic and the seats/door cloth were a disaster and shreaded. Subaru symetrical awd is very good i must admit.

Rav 4 4 cyl- Terrible pick up. 6 cyl is a must on these. Interior was nice, not better than my pat limited though. I would take my Jeep FD1 over The rav 4 awd any day of the week. Especially at the price.

CRV- I only drove this for one day. It was an 03 or 04 model. I believe had the same engine as the Element which i had for several weeks. Not better than the Pats engine by any means. Interior was mostly plastic. I do like the box design on them compared to the new CRV design though.

It seems like these reviews, which are a plenty, are based on peoples biased perception of Chrysler and other larger Jeep models. If they took a week with each vehicle I just mentioned i don't see how they would choose any of them over the Pat. The new Forester designs are nice in my opinion, and the view from inside is much better than the Pat. But at $5k more with less options, I'd take the pat.. In fact, i did take the Pat lol..... Now, if they can just solve this damn dome light leak issue.

 

...cheap interior design and lackluster engine power...

My guess is they're quoting a review of the 2007 or 2008 model year Patriot, before Cerberus bestowed the Patriot with an upgraded interior and re-tuned the CVT. I test drove both a 2008 and a 2009 and there is a big difference.

Unfortunately, reviews of those pre-2009 Patriots are going to live to haunt Chrysler and tarnish the Patriot's reputation. Another thing to thank Daimler for.

 

While they take some shots at the Patriot, keep in mind that the list isn't "worst cars of 2009" but rather "worst selling cars"

 

How would these reviewers rate a John Deer tractor? Probably pretty bad because of it's poor times in the quarter mile and lack of luxury interior items.

Why don't they rate a thing for what it's worth at doing it's job?

For a low cost fairly rugged vehicle for all weather and off road use at decent fuel mileage as well as it's versatility the Patriot can hardly be beat.

Did they compare their favorite Mercedes, Porshe, or BMW in plow pulling or off road trail running???

Cheap interior??!!? So how nuch does a really classy interior help in negotiating ice and snow covered roads in the dead of winter?

I would much prefer making it home than sitting in a ditch somewhere looking at a luxury dash. If Jeep spends a little less on the dash so as to spend a little more on the traction control then so be it.

I guess those guys prefer form over function, art over science, and esthetics over practicality.

Mebbe so, but that's not a Jeep thing.

 

Cheap interior??!!? So how nuch does a really classy interior help in negotiating ice and snow covered roads in the dead of winter?
I would much prefer making it home than sitting in a ditch somewhere looking at a luxury dash. If Jeep spends a little less on the dash so as to spend a little more on the traction control then so be it.
I guess those guys prefer form over function, art over science, and esthetics over practicality.
Mebbe so, but that's not a Jeep thing.

You`ve hit the nail on the head here JeepFan :smiley_thumbs_up: :smiley_thumbs_up: :smiley_thumbs_up:

 

Meh, those people (experts) are used to driving 100,000 dollar cars so when they review the cheaper cars they nit pick everything. The Patriot is a cheap suv that gets pretty good gas mileage and is capable of going through some off road trails. Hey that article may help some people get their new pat at a even cheaper price...

 

so good gas milage, 4x4, and lower price than any comparable suv on the market is a bad thing??? Let's look at the comp (canadian numbers off websites)
ford escape starting at 28,999 with 4x4
nissan xterra starting at 33,000
toyota rav4 starting at 26,900
chevy equonox starting at 30,420 with awd
and all of them get worse mpg than the 5 speed patriot.
So for value for money the patriot gets the checkered flag and the hot flag girls at the finish line. champagne anyone.

 

Way early on in this thread Terasec wrote that they just can't acknowledge that an SUV can possibly be better at economy than an "Eco"-car. I think he's bang on the money; that's what a lot of these recent reviews are about. We are all aware of the constant pressure on drivers of so-called gas-guzzlers that the game's gone on so long now it would be impossible for these people to think objectively.
Here in the UK we even have a bunch of eco-warriors who are going around slashing the tyres of cars that they, in their scientific wisdom, consider to be "damaging". One crazy kook was on the early morning news a fortnight ago and she said that large four-by-fours such as Range Rovers and Mitsubishis weren't just a problem because of their fuel consumption,but that their aggressive shapes encouraged their drivers to behave in a selfish manner! I must remember that one the next time I'm cut up on the road by some sports car driver, or maybe before I pull some guy out of the snow next winter.
You cannot argue with crazies. They have their feet planted firmly on the ground...but unfortunately it's the ground of Neptune or Saturn...

Rocal

 

I am willing to bet you anything that if you asked Chrysler if they provided Edmund's with a test vehicle, that the answer would be "No... we did not provide Edmunds with a test vehicle".

So, that would mean that they went to a dealer (posing as a potential customer) and test drove a Patriot and looked at it for about an hour? I doubt they bought one for their testing. If they did, and based on the fact they don't like it, give it to me for free then! I'm willing to take it!

If you go to the review page, their "featured" '09 Grand Vitara has an average review rating of 7.0 while the Patriot has a 9.0? Contradictory in my mind.

"Heck, it's even Trail Rated when the off-road package is specified, so this is one cute ute that can actually walk the walk when the going gets rocky. At the end of the day, though, the Patriot is a pumped-up rendering of a subpar econobox, and that hurts its chances in this highly competitive segment."

Two things... I believe that Jeep intended the Patriot to really be a trail vehicle and not necessarily a city driver. Keep in mind I have a city driver (4x2) and I am more than pleased with it. According to Edmunds, the Patriot is right on track with it's intent. It can "...walk the walk...". Enough said on this. Second... what small suv isn't a "...pumped-up rendering of a subpar econobox..." Define "econobox" first...

Rav4... Corolla?
Forester... Imprezza?
Tiguan... Jetta?
Tucson... Elantra?
Element/CRV... Civic?
Rogue... Sentra?

Vitara may just be the only one out there based on it's own platform but I don't know.

Now... define "subpar" for us! Funny how they admit that Jeep took a "subpar" econobox platform and "pumped it up". Sounds to me like it was improved upon!!!

And so on... I don't know but I personally do not know of a single small suv that is not based on a econobox platform. Sounds like BS to me when that "reviewer" makes that statement. He's only lucky in that there are "mow-rons" out there who will believe the crap that he writes. From now on... If it isn't published in a reliable publication, I'm not believeing it. I'll get my reviews from the the supermarket tabloids from now on. They are the only ones that have accurate information on where Elvis really is.

 

Somehow I don't consider ABC an auto expert. But there are the uneducated out there that will read this without knowing better.
I also agree with the statement that the reason they have a 163 day supply is because they aren't building what people want to buy. And try to find a used one... mine wasnt on the lot for a day when I bought it. The owner traded it because he wanted something bigger. The dealer knew that this is what I wanted and gave me a call. I have an FD1 and it is perfect for me. Good mileage, very capable in snow and soft road conditions, comfy to drive, easy to take care of. What more could I want or expect for the price? AND THE FACT THAT IT'S A JEEP IS JUST A BONUS! I don't need it to massage my back side when I put a quarter in the slot... I want it to get me back and forth to work with a minimum of fuss.
Lets face it there are alot of experts who's only qualification is that they have expert printed on their card.
For my money I've got the best little SUV out there.

 

As a long time AMC buyer/owner I am immune to those kind of articles. The real test of any vehicles worthiness, in my opinion, is the test of time. I think the Patriot will become a survivor if the parts chain is kept fed with at least the higher wear parts. Heck one of my AMC cars, much maligned in its day, is now considered the innovative granddad of all cross over vehicles and there are still many on the road 22+ years after the last one rolled out of Brampton. I think the Patriot is the best "little" SUV/COV/MPV or whatever you want to call it for your money -- a lot of bang for your buck!

 

I needed something to get me to the firehouse in all weather and still be a capable and comfortable economic daily driver. Throw in the owner loyalty rebates along with the Veteran rebate and the other factory incentives and the Patriot was a no brainer. Not to mention it's an AMERICAN car!

 

Around here I see dealers having base model Patriots with the ugly steel wheels and no power accessories, sitting on their lots forever. Now who really wants to buy one of those when the cost difference between a base model and one with power everything, nice wheels, etc. is so small? But yet you can hardly find a nicely equipped one. :icon_rolleyes:

I bought mine used, and got more equipment than I need, but the deal was too good to pass up. My Patriot is a work car exclusively, I drive it all over Houston calling on car dealers during the week in heavy traffic and average about 22 mpg. Not bad in my opinion, but could always be better.

I needed a small SUV that gets good gas mileage and with a rear hatch that opens upward for shade in the summer time. It amazed me how few choices I really had. I've also been surprised by the size of the cargo area in the Patriot, which is larger than the previous generation Jeep Liberty even though the Liberty is a bigger SUV and was only offered with a V6. So I think I made the right choice for a work car. Would I get real excited about driving it all the time, on the weekends, and on long trips? No, probably not. But it gets the job done for me during the week just fine.:smiley_thumbs_up:

 

i found the opposite

Around here I see dealers having base model Patriots with the ugly steel wheels and no power accessories, sitting on their lots forever. Now who really wants to buy one of those when the cost difference between a base model and one with power everything, nice wheels, etc. is so small? But yet you can hardly find a nicely equipped one. :icon_rolleyes:.:smiley_thumbs_up:

I prefer to skip on the power packages,
only packages i want relate to engine and performance,
dont want leather seats,
dont want power windows
dont want sound and security,
Dont even want carpeting, would gladly take a bare floor i can wash out.
wheel packages? if i knew that 17" inch wheels had such lousy tire options,
would gladly take 16" steelie's over current 17" FDII wheels
i had a hard time finding FDII without power packages,
I didnt even want an auto FDII,
but Auto had to come with the FDII.

 

In 2008 the Patriot was Voted " Best Small 4x4" by 4x4 magazine here in the UK !!