[Jeepster55]

"Patriot":smiley_thumbs_up:

 

[Rends]

I had a second view at the VW Tiguan today.
The interior looks nice but it´s still the cargo room that doesn´t work for us.
On tech spec the cargo room seems to be enough for us but the space between the liftgate and the rearseats is just too small because of the slopped liftgate.
You can see it clearly in the image in the last post.
If you have a midsize dog the Tiguan isn´t something for you.

But the Tiguan seem to be a hit here in Germany. VW has 75.000 preorders yet and you have to wait 9-10 month before you can get one. They just cancelled sommer holidays for the employees to build more of them.

 

[EuroPat]

Rends I think you should buy a Patriot, but wait until the redesign of the interiors is done. As you've seen in this forum, most of the complaints people have about the Patriot are related to the interior design: useless iPod holder, rock-hard armrests (this will piss you off on long trips), no interior light for the rear seats, tiny glove box... When all these quirks are fixed it's gonna be a really nice car. The engine and general handling are very good and you're gonna like the economy of the CRD engine. It's more like what you'd expect from a compact car and not from an SUV, and it delivers over 150hp. You'll like it, so if you're not in a hurry maybe you should wait a few more months. Remember also that along this year Renault and Ford are gonna put new compact SUVs in the European market. Perhaps it's something to be considered.

 

[hunter44102]

If you wait, there will always be something better. I don't believe the interior re-design should be a factor because this is probably 8-10 months away (if the do it on the 2009's).

Some of us like the simple interior and I personally can't think of one interior change that would make me wait a year on deciding to buy a vehicle I like overall.

 

[Rends]

Well i can wait.
At least i want to see how the new interior will looks like.
I think even with the redesign it can´t compete with the interior from the Tiguan but stylish interior isn´t on Top of my list but usability.
I also don´t see another SUV on the horizon i would add to the List. I don´t like the Ford Kuga design nor the upcoming Renault SUV.

 

[EuroPat]

One question for Rends: I wonder why the Nissan Qashqai/Rogue is not in your short list? It's in the same category as the Patriot. Personally, I like it very much, but I don't see an idoneous diesel engine for it. It's either the 105hp (too weak I think) or the 170hp (excellent according to reviews but higher fuel consumption than the 150hp-Patriot). I wonder why they didn't pick the 130hp Renault instead. It's also more expensive, but not too much, and the additional equipment and care taken in the interior design might be worth the price difference. The wait time for it used to be very long, but production rate has just been increased at the Sunderland, UK plant, and a new production line in Japan has been opened recently.

 

[Rends]

Well i havn´t checked the Qashqai at the dealer yet.
I´ve seen a couple of them on the streets but it´s not on the list for the same reason i dropped others: Cargo room or better lacks of.
What i need is a more boxy cargo room for our dog. Most SUV have enough cargo room on spec paper but when you check them in real they have small room above half the height because of slopped liftgate.

The more i check the other SUVs the more i like the Patriot.
I´m pretty sure that i won´t get one with sidewards open reargate. It need much more room when parking and it doesn´t cover you on rainy days.
So the Grand Vitara and RAV4 are close to be dropped from my list.
The Mitsubishi Outlander has a similar problem. The liftgate is split in a 2/3 upwards open and 1/3 downwards open liftgate. It doesn´t need much space to open it but it doesn´t cover you from rain too and forced you somewhat outwards and makes it difficult to reach the place near the rearsseats.

The more i think about the different SUVs the more i realized that the Patriot fit my needs even with or without upgraded interior.

 

[Rends]

Someone at a german board posted 2 Ford Kuga images he made today.
Hmm, maybe i should add it to my list too?

Havn´t seen a cargo room image yet

 

[MrSensible]

That does look interesting. Nothing like it here in the states yet.

I also have to say that I am surprised that the standard warranty in the EU versions are only 2 years. In the states, standard is 3 years/36,000 miles. I can see the lifetime being market to market, but only 2 years?

Rends: I would also take a good look at the cargo space on the Patriot. I have noticed that you lose a lot of space if you recline the rear seats even a few degrees. To be honest the rear seats aren't comfortable if you don't. If I were you, I would adjust the rear seats so they were comfortable and then evaluate the rear cargo compartment. It might make a difference in your opinion.

 

[Ash]

I reckon that will be quite small too. It looks like it is based on either the Focus or the S-Max floorplan. If it is the Focus I reckon the boot space will be too small.

On another note the Patriot boot while fairly big, isn't perhaps as big as you might think. The main advantage it has over the competition is that the cabin space is bigger. You would only get more boot space if you were to go for a 7 seat 4x4 and then that might be enough.

As for me and my family I think I will be investing in a roofbox for my Jeep It just seems to make more sense.

 

[Rends]

MrSensible, i´ve checked the Patriot cargo space with reclines seats and so far i remember i´ve no complains with it because of the nearly vertical liftgate. Most other SUVs have angled liftgates to give it a more sportier look.
And yes standart warranty is 2 years only. Hey a few years back we had 6 months lol.
You can get more warranty if you are willing to pay for it.

About the Kuga, there are no prices beeing told yet and i only find it interesting because the liftgate isn´t that much angled like the Tiguan.

EDIT: Don´t you have the Nissan X-Trail in the US ? Just wonder...
If the front wouldn´t look so ugly it would be on my list too.

 

[jeepmuck]

No, we don't have the X-Trail in the US, but they're available in Canada, last I knew.

 

[jack.allwardt]

I only looked at American Cars--our jobs and economic future count on it!

Ford Escape, Saturn Vue, Chev. HHR, Jeep Patriot. Found out that the Patriot had more features for the buck. They are all about the same size, wheelbase and overall length, height, width, cargo +/-. And, I was looking at a classic "square" shape--didn't want the "cross-over" look. And, I eliminated the '08 Vue because of that alone.

 

[Rends]

...
Rends: I would also take a good look at the cargo space on the Patriot. I have noticed that you lose a lot of space if you recline the rear seats even a few degrees. To be honest the rear seats aren't comfortable if you don't. If I were you, I would adjust the rear seats so they were comfortable and then evaluate the rear cargo compartment. It might make a difference in your opinion.

Thanks for info. Today i did just that at our dealer. I reclined the rear seat way back and there is still enough space. But i didn´t found it comfortable so i reclined only a few degrees.
Then i went to our VW Dealer and checked the Tiguan cargo room again and it´s still a joke. No chance that the Tiguan would make it on my list even if the interior looks nicer.

 

[JoeBecker]

If you buy this thing does it come in its box? Like a life size Hot Wheels Toy!

It looks very similar to the Ford Edge. Do they sell the Edge in Germany?

 

[Rends]

No they don´t sell the Edge here. So far i know they don´t sell any Ford SUV at the moment.
I don´t think it´s based on the Edge. So far i know it´s based on the C-Max and someone mentioned it might be FWD only but i´m not sure.
Hot Wheel toy, hmm, do you think you have to push it back before it run forwards,lol

Here is more about the Kuga:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_news080215_2009_ford_kuga/
Well if i´m right it has the same liftgate as the Mitsubishi Outlander (one part lift upwards the other part downwards). hope this won´t become a trend.

 

[Rends]

Just found out that VW is building it´s own Patriot now:

but with 11000lbs i don´t expect a good gasmilage for this modified Tuareg :wow:

Well do you think the remote machinegun would fit on a Jeep Patriot too?

 

[Belveder]

I read an enthusiastic review of the Tiguan's offroad capabilities. Of course, the offroading was veeeeeerrrrrrryyyyyyy limited and the oil pan was torn open. But the reviewer didn't seem to mind. Ummm....to me that would be a deal breaker.

Quote:

"With 7.3 inches of ground clearance and no low range, the Tiguan is not exactly intended for Rubicon-style fare; rather, its appetite is for soft-roading, as in snow, sand, and dirt. Nevertheless, we proved that if incurring light damage (dents, scratches, and even a punctured oil pan on a "Sport & Style" example sans skid plates)"

you can read the review here. I'd call it a little clueless.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0708_2009_volkswagen_tiguan

why don't you get a Jeep Wrangler if you wish to have a great off roading experience?

 

[Rends]

Can anyone tell me more about the Dodge Journey please?
Is this a SUV or a Minivan? There a few images at the german dodge website without prices yet.
dodge.com says it´s a crossover whatever it means.
It looks somewhat bigger than the Patriot and seems to be more expensive than the Patriot at least in the US. And is it FWD only?
Is this a co-production with GM/Chevrolet? At least the climatic controls look similar to the korean build Daewoo/Chevie models available in europe.

 

[Ash]

As far as I understand it's more of a road car, did you check out this site?

http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2007/112_0708_2009_dodge_journey/