Because it's Fiat. First they introduce the 6-spd when the CVT was and is still more than adequate, and now they're just quitting on a perfectly good vehicle to introduce styling that looks nothing like a Jeep. It's what they do.

 

You are too correct.... They need to keep the Patriots around if you ask me... doesn't make sense to get rid of something that is selling so good.

 

Yep, seems like they could save some coin and increase sales even more if they would just upgrade the powertrain to the Tigershark / 9 speed / 2 speed diffs like the KL and leave the rest of it (mostly) alone. And of course, it might make it easier to upgrade existing vehicles.

 

That's what the Renegade is supposed to be... Except it looks funky now...and is smaller...:doh:

 

I'd like to think that the bean-counting manager at FCA that decided to axe the MK platform is sitting there sweating, wondering why the Patriot just won't die.

 

It seems to me that they could axe the Compass and replace it with the new vehicle and then see what it does to Patriot sales. They could always phase out the Pat later on if the buyers go for the new model. If not, they still have a very nice selling and probably cheap to produce budget SUV sitting there. Almost makes me wonder if we are heading for a scenario similar to what happened when they were going to replace the XJ Cherokee and decided instead to keep it in production and produce the replacement as a separate model.

 

Maybe they could phase out the Compass, but some folks prefer that to the Patriot, and they're both the same line. Would be wierd to have one without the other. And while the setup could use a little tuning, a CVT should be more efficient than a 9-spd, if used right. 9 speeds is just too many for something under 6k pounds. For a box truck, maybe, but for a Jeep, there's no need.

 

my 2cents is to phase out the Compass, keep the Patriot and let them launch the fugly Renegade Fiat thing... thats Fiatty enough. Just my opinion though.

 

These government CAFE standards that require the lightest possible sheet metal to keep the weight down and MPG's up probably have a lot to do with this, and our flimsy roof/side panels.

 

The patriot and compass are in desperate need of updating. I think the replacement for the compass and patriot is going to look more like the compass unfortunately. I wish the compass would look more like the renegade since it is smaller anyways and the patriot would just be replaced with a new patriot.

 

In desperate need of upgrading? Is that why so many people keep buying them?

How many years the did the VW Beetle go without significant styling changes? Sure they made mechanical upgrades, but the same basic machine persisted for decades.

My advice for Fiat/Chrysler:

• As for upgrading, "If its not broke, don't fix it."
• As for Compass vs. Patriot, "Put the butter where the bread is."

 

I personally do not like the way the Compass looks (No offence to Compass Owners ) which is why I went with a Patriot...it looks like a Jeep. Actually not to fond of the Grand Cherokee now either...this whole "round" body thing every manufacturer is doing now I just don't like...anyway.

I think they're hoping the Renegade catches on which will give them the push they seem to want to phase out the Compass and Patriot. I hope that's not the case as I think there is a market for all of them...

 

end of an era

I have owned an xj and three tjs (still have my 06). After living with the Pat the better part of a month, my wife and I love this vehicle (5sp and manual window cranks and door locks!). Jeep needs to stay true to its roots an keep a boxy suv in the line-up. The renegade and (ahem) cherokee just do not cut it. Sad if the patriot goes away.

 

Bought my Patriot because it reminded me of my dad's old Cherokee back in the late 80's/early 90's! I was excited that this look came back shortly after the Grand Cherokee went away from the "boxy" look. Maybe I'm just old fashioned but I like my jeeps(and my trucks) to be square.

A friend of mine liked my Patriot so much he bought one himself when he retired the mid-90's Grand Cherokee.

 

Maybe I'm just old fashioned but I like my jeeps(and my trucks) to be square.

I agree. I hate the round look that seems to be on everything these days. Hard to tell the difference between a Cherokee, Santa Fe, Rav4 or Sorrento. They all look the same to me. I like the square look as well and I find the Patriot stands out more because of it.

 

It'd be neat if they did a turbo pat.

 

A turbo Patriot would be interesting, but it kinda goes against the grain of the whole Jeep thing. Maybe just make it a bit more turbo-friendly in case anybody wants to go aftermarket. Would be interesting to see a V6 in the Patriot, with a better-tuned CVT, but 9 speeds is too many for something the size of the Cherokar, let alone a Patriot. Could be interesting to see a more advanced off-road system, but if they introduce that "select which terrain you're on" dial in the Patriot, I'm gonna be ticked. Not to mention anything more advanced could make some current Patriot owners feel a little left out, but I can't speak for anybody on that one.

 

If they turbo it they should tune it for low end torque. Turbos add so much more efficiency and power and would make an improvement on pretty much any car. Just look at the new F-150's. The new ecoboost puts out more power than the largest engine they've ever had and with better gas mileage than the patriot and it's cheaper than buying the bigger gas hog engine.

The select terrain stuff these days is for those that don't know how to drive in certain conditions. Easily replaced buy a good brain to foot connection. Now a days cars are at the point where you don't have to think to drive(which can be a good thing) but I see it more as just making drivers dumber.

Edit: Don't get me wrong I love abs and esp (especially trying to confuse them and push the limits) but that's where I draw the line.

 

I was going to say they should update the engine and transmission to get better fuel economy since most other vehicles in the Patriot/Compass class are getting into the 30mgg+ range, but then I looked at the Cherokee and realized it isn't delivering that anyway. There is almost no difference between the Patriot 4x4 automatic and the Cherokee 4x4 4cyl automatic in terms of fuel economy. Fuel economy isn't driving sales right now anyway.

 

Yup. If people are thinking they are getting good fuel economy with the Patriot, they might be a little surprised. As I've mentioned in previous threads, my Patriot doesn't do all that great at fuel wise and in my case, has been worse than my wife's 6 cylinder Wrangler overall. When both are in 4x4 though, the Patriot does better overall.

 

Odd how you guys don't get mpg's that good. I can easily get 27-29mpg on a flat interstate when mine isn't loaded down. Probably that 6-spd or something. I get more RPM's in "6th" in autostick than in regular CVT mode, that could be part of the difference. Without a CVT, you don't get the economy/power balance.

 

The new 6spd has better ratios than our CVT and is rated to get better MPG highway as well. Our old outdated CVT is not as good as it should be. Back when I was completely stock I averaged 25 MPG. I would hit 30MPG on a few occasions even traveling offroad. Then I added 150 lbs of gear, mud tires, Front and rear TAG bumpers and I'm now averaging just over 21 MPG. The Pat really shines on curvy, hilly roads where your speed stays between 45 and 55 mph. With the cruise set at 78MPH on this last trip to visit the inlaws I averaged 18.5ish on the freeway 21-22 bumming around town. Keep the Pat under 65 to get the best mileage.

 

Yeah, no CVT in mine. That's one of the reasons I bought the FDI instead of the FDII, because I heard horror stories about the CVT. I was just really surprised it didn't get better fuel economy for being a smaller 2.4, 4 cylinder.

 

Even at 65-70mph, I still get pretty good mileage, though my few custom parts probably helps a little.

 

Renegade=Kia Soul

Cherokee=Ford Escape

My next vehicle will be a Chevy pickup.

You lost me Jeep.

 

As much as I love my Pat, I believe I might be looking at a Toyota 4Runner in the far future. Then again, who knows what will happen 10 years from now to both Jeep and Toyota

 

I'm getting 23mpg average in mixed driving with a 2008 Pat with the CVT. I'd say that is pretty good. Haven't done a long all freeway trip yet, but I'm hoping for 25 to 26pmg. Seems pretty good to me.

 

I was at the local dealership the other night while my sister was buying a new Charger and the salesman told me that Patriots are still flying off the lots. I saw my first Renegade there as well.

 

How long are they gonna keep make the 2015 patriots ? Has production stopped yet ?!