Patriot's actually got the whole Jeep "general purpose' deal going, looks the part, etc. "Renegade" isn't actually a Jeep as far as I'm concerned, just a Fiat with alot of Jeepish Easter eggs all over it. In the end it's your decision, but I'd say the Patriot is alot closer to your Liberty, just smaller and not quite as much torque.

 

-One is made in America and the other in Italy.
-One looks like a jeep and one is a fiat.

Your going to get a one sided opinion on this forum lol.

 

Both are based off car platforms, both are fwd with the option for awd, both are cars made my other makes that jeep has messaged into a "jeep" Where they differ is the patriot is a nearly 10 year old platform with no updates other than some cosmetic and an option for a 6 speed auto transmission on some models. The renegade is a brand new platform, with new engines, new 9 speed transmission and a MUCH better awd system (especially if you get the trailhawk model) But being a new platform it is untested. while the patriot has been around, and the platform is pretty tested and found to be quite reliable.

Reasons to buy a patriot: the discounts! you can get a new patriot CHEAP! New ones can be had for $14k for a 2wd model, or you can option up and get a loaded one for far less than any other new car in its class. Its also a tried and true platform. they have proven to be reliable, cheap to run and insure.
Reasons to not buy a patriot: its an old platform, its not going to be as refined as a newer platform. because its so cheap, they don't hold their value as well as other cars (but you also wouldn't pay a lot for it so that might come out in the wash)

reasons to buy a renegade: new platform, a lot more refined than the patriot. Better awd system, more modern looks, more electronic goodies, as well as better safety features.
Reasons to not buy a renegade: Price and unproven platform. The first year of any new car can be iffy on quality as they work the bugs out.

If I was buying today, i would probably buy a patriot, for the price and the proven track record. but the renegade overall is a nicer thing to drive and gets better fuel economy.

 

The renegade is a brand new platform, with new engines, new 9 speed transmission and a MUCH better awd system

I don't buy it.

Time will tell, but even the FD1 has a pretty good track record.

 

I'd call the lack of refinement a plus when it comes with a Jeep badge, but that's just me. Same with lack of all the extra toys, somehow it doesn't compute. That 9-spd in the Renegade is glitchy and has too many gears for something that size anyways. The CVT available in the Patriot does it's job extremely well though. Only two downsides to it is that it's a Nissan tranny, and Chrysler doesn't know how to tune CVT's quite right.

 

Without getting into personal preferences, what is your goal, offroad type performance or just a capable vehicle in all weather.

Capability wise between the 2 they are nearly identical. I find the Renegade priced a bit high for what it is. As others have said patriot is the cheaper option and really optioned up nice you aren't really losing a lot of creature comforts.

 

I recently bought a 2015 patriot latitude with the high altitude package. While I was shopping at the dealer I test drove a Cherokee a renegade and the patriot I'm driving today. I liked the Cherokee a lot but I was nervous about all the reported tranny problems. I liked the renegade. I liked that it was 'different'. My only concern was the interior space. I have 2 kids to haul around and the patriot just offered more space and at 6'2 the cabin having more of an open feeling in the patriot it was a no brainer. My brother owns a 2012 sport and has loved it since the day he bought it. That is what mainly sold me on the patriot is its reliability.

I would go for the patriot. They are selling well so there is some incentives out there. Also the price is awesome for how great of a vehicle is. My fiances Kia optima was stickered at $24ish and hers is a base model. My jeep is fully loaded minus the nav and rear backup cam and mine was stickered at $26ish. Do the math!

 

such a personal choice
cant decide for you
I was at the dealer yesterday, while there was browsing,
renegade doesn't suit my needs, but had my attention
for a small 4x4, looks like a fun jeep to have,
also being made overseas I would have my reservations about buying a foreign made jeep and I am Italian

 

Good luck with that decision, Evanmacie94! Lots of good advice above, especially aroundincircles, who seems well grounded and not jaded with his advice.

With the Renegade, I would be leery of first year problems and especially the 9 speed tranny issues going around the net. Have you visited the Renegade forum??

The Patriot? I bought one after much investigation. My only complaint is that it IS an economy vehicle and you get what you pay for. A number of people complain of minor annoyances associated with cheapness. For instance we had the broken plastic lower seat trim problem - seems o.k. after the third fix. We had some problematic weather stripping replaced. I just found some paint flaking on the stock 16inch steel wheels. Warranty repairs and certainly minor compared to something like the Subaru oil consumption problem. Still, make sure you look at the Pat closely to see if you can live with this level of refineness.

Best of luck to you.

 

Renegade=the deadly 9speed..Read the Cherokee and Renegade boards and beware....

 

I was in the same situation (including the Cherokee) and ended up with a 2015 Automatic Patriot Sport 4x4 that came with the "all weather package" (17" rims/tires, tow hooks, all weather mats, etc) and the Uconnect/voice command/Bluetooth.

My local dealer was selling them for $19,369 after the rebates. I also got another $500 off for being military. I wanted something that had some clearance (more than the Renegade Latitude), AWD/4WD, decent gas mileage, and some space. The Patriot has more space than the Renegade. Also, try to find a dealer willing to sell a Renegade for the price I got my Patriot for. The Renegade is too new, dealers aren't dealing and Jeep doesn't have the rebates on the Renegade that they do on the Patriot....which is a major reason the Patriots been selling so well.

The one thing I learned stalking this forum when doing the research, the Patriot might have an issue here or there but it's overall one of the better machines over the long haul. If you want to see what turned me off on the Renegade and Cherokee just go to Edmunds.com and check out the "customer" reviews of the Cherokee and it's horrible transmission. I haven't looked lately but a couple months ago in a 4 week period there were 6 reviews on how the transmission just stopped, stuck in gear, went to neutral or went into limp mode. From sport model all the way to trailhawk models. The same transmission is in the Renegade. Dealers are saying it's better after the re-flash of the computer for the transmission but those reviews were just a couple of months ago and on brand new vehicles.

The Patriot isn't as refined and doesn't have the more modern interior of the Renegade but it also doesn't have as many bells and whistles to go wrong. Also, the thousands (plural) I saved can go to a few tweaks I want to make to my Jeep and will also pay for many road trips to places my sedan couldn't go.

Like others have said, it's a personal choice. At least you are doing your research. Good Luck!!!!

 

If you like your Liberty, then I suggest trying the Patriot. Best bang for your dollar!

 

around here you can get 4x4 sports, for over $6,000 off MSRP... that's crazy low prices. here is an optioned up FDII for under 19k... That's crazy talk:
http://www.billluke.com/new/Jeep/2015-Jeep-Patriot-Phoenix-748090530a0a00022e7d5fbc6957940b.htm

This same dealer has 76 to choose from, all configurations, and more than half are under $20k.

 

Of course the opinions on this forum will be biased in favor of the Patriot . . .

That said, I put my money where my mouth is, and bought our second Patriot earlier this year. The dealership brought in their first 2 Patriots (uh, Renegades) that day. I looked one over and as Tyler-09-w68 said above, the price/value ratio just isn't there. Why pay more and get less, riding on an unproven chassis and a questionable transmission.

BTW, our first Patriot is still on the road at 185,000 miles and still delivering 30mpg on a trip and high 20s anywhere. Very few repairs, still thrilled with it.

 

Of course the opinions on this forum will be biased in favor of the Patriot . . .

That said, I put my money where my mouth is, and bought our second Patriot earlier this year. The dealership brought in their first 2 Patriots that day. I looked one over and as Tyler-09-w68 said above, the price/value ratio just isn't there. Why pay more and get less, riding on an unproven chassis and a questionable transmission.

BTW, our first Patriot is still on the road at 185,000 miles and still delivering 30mpg on a trip and high 20s anywhere. Very few repairs, still thrilled with it.

This mirrors my experiences as well.

Back in Feb '07 I bought an 07 Patriot Limited 4x4. It was one of the first in northern AZ. It has been the most reliable vehicle that I've ever owned. Great on the highway. Great in the snow. Great during monsoon floods and hailstorms. Great IKEA hauler.

I planned on keeping it until the wheels fell off (and the plan was to glue them back on and keep driving)... but my new daughter-in-law needed a reliable and inexpensive vehicle so I sold it to them at a very low price.

Being in the market for a new vehicle (needed to be a Jeep ) I looked briefly at the Renegade. It's cute and quirky but I couldn't justify the cost when compared to what Patriots sell for.

In the end, I ended up purchasing a 2015 Patriot High Altitude 4x4. Except for the lack of the trip computer of the 07 Limited, this thing is "luxury" by comparison. LOL

Here's the old '07 on it's last IKEA run...

 

Man, this makes me miss my patriot....

 

Nice of you to drop by the forum. You can always trade up to a Patriot! :smiley_thumbs_up:

 

Renegade's offroad performance is nearly identical to the patriot, Trailhawk Model = FDII and it isn't any better either. Its a nice vehicle just priced wrong.

 

The price for the Renegade is higher because it cost more to ship it to the states. Boat then trained to location. Patriot is made in the USA so it just needs a train to location.

 

True, but they are planning on building it in Mexico/south america, so its price should drop when they do that.

 

They will have to pay import cost. That will drive up the cost

 

The destination fee on a Renegade bought in Canada is no different than the rest. I don't think location of manufacture can be tied to the cost alone.

Right now in Canada with my pricing...

Renegade = $21085 Base Model (4x2) (4x4) = $26645

Wrangler = $22056 Base Model (4x4)

Compass = $17960 (4x2) $21418 (4x4)

Patriot =$15800 (4x2) $19258(4x4)

Cherokee = $25300 (4x2) $26302 (4x4)

What I gather is that the Renegade is a massive ripoff...........when I can get a base model 4x4 Cherokee (way more of a vehicle than Renegade will ever be) for $300 less

Its gets even worse when you compare the trailhawk models

Renegade Trailhawk (No options) = $31329
Cherokee Trailhawk (No options) = $31760

$431 Dollar difference

I know what I would pick when the price was that close.

The pricing is just insane I still can't get how people even bother choosing them when there are other options that are far more cost effective. Unless the cool factor is the reason why.

 

That's a great point. I was actually ready to buy an automatic Cherokee Sport 4x4 and the dealer had it at just over $20K which was still a few thousand cheaper than the Renegade. A ton more space than the Renegade and even the basic Cherokee Sport was nicely equipped. Again, the transmission reviews scared me off both models or else I'd probably be driving a Cherokee right now. FYI, the built in Italy thing didn't discourage me from looking at the Renegade.

I'm glad I got the Patriot. More money in my pocket and it does what I need it to do.

 

I love my pat I've looked and drove a renegade for my wife but it was to small and didn't feel like a jeep.

 

Chrysler has a history of pricing vehicles high the first model year, then discounting as time goes on. Remember the P/T Cruiser with Additional Dealer Markups? (They called it "Inventory Cost"). A couple years down the road and they were giving them away.

 

I can't see Chrysler giving away vehicles for drastic price reductions, the patriot is being discounted now but it also 8 years old, I don't see renegade pricing dropping. Cherokee pricing has not dropped in its second year, it's actually. Gone up same with all of jeeps other models

 

I was thinking of the previous management. Fiat may have a different strategy. I just can't figure out what they're thinking with how the Renegade is priced. Maybe somebody should ask a sales rep 'why should I buy a Renegade compared to a Patriot or a Cherokee?' and see what s/he says.

 

Have to chime in!

Like it's been said, it's about what you prefer in a vehicle. My wife and I both have Pats, and we love them. Over the past 3 or 4 years, the Patriot has become the last Jeep SUV, that actually looks feels and drives like a Jeep. It is what it is. Before we bought our 2015 High Altitude, we looked briefly at the Cherokee, which is nothing more than a Euro style SUV with Jeep badging, and the new Renegade (Kia Soul, Honda Element with Jeep badging?). We touched, looked at, sat in, but didn't want to drive either one. We went to our favorite dealership, and ordered our 2015 Pat, and never looked back, we love both of our rides. In closing, I can finally say that the Patriot is no longer the red headed step child of the Jeep line, it is the last of the true Jeep SUV's. We're keeping ours until they die or we die, which ever comes first.

 

Like it's been said, it's about what you prefer in a vehicle. My wife and I both have Pats, and we love them. Over the past 3 or 4 years, the Patriot has become the last Jeep SUV, that actually looks feels and drives like a Jeep. It is what it is. Before we bought our 2015 High Altitude, we looked briefly at the Cherokee, which is nothing more than a Euro style SUV with Jeep badging, and the new Renegade (Kia Soul, Honda Element with Jeep badging?). We touched, looked at, sat in, but didn't want to drive either one. We went to our favorite dealership, and ordered our 2015 Pat, and never looked back, we love both of our rides. In closing, I can finally say that the Patriot is no longer the red headed step child of the Jeep line, it is the last of the true Jeep SUV's. We're keeping ours until they die or we die, which ever comes first.

Another 2-Patriot family! We are too (3 Jeeps altogether). If you're keeping it till it dies, get used to having it around. My '08 is at 185500 as of today. Just replaced the battery today. No significant repairs other than some front end work last year.

 

So, I bought one of each. The Pat is a year old with 40,000 miles (I drive a lot) and the Renegade came home with us yesterday afternoon. They are definitely two completely different vehicles, but I honestly didn't feel any less "Jeepy" in the Renegade (this is from a former Wrangler owner). My parents live near a lake with unpaved roads and both handle it very well. You will get a much better deal on a new purchase with the Pat, but I did well on the Renegade. The Chrysler rep happened to be in the dealership, so they were being watched on how many cars sold for the week. I brought the title for our Subaru and said I wanted it now if they were fair. They were, and we drove off the same day for a little more than my Pat. I know there isn't much wiggle room with the Renegade price, but it is still just a car purchase and just a salesman. It comes down to what you want - I am very Jeep purist (must be manual) and my wife likes a little more of a comfortable ride.

 

So, I bought one of each . . . It comes down to what you want - I am very Jeep purist (must be manual) and my wife likes a little more of a comfortable ride.

I prefer a manual, but its good to have an automatic around in case of a leg/foot injury (me in high school -- had my own car and couldn't drive it for a couple months -- seemed like a couple years!. ) As for the comfortable ride, to which vehicle were you referring? Comparing our '08 & '14 the '08 rides a lot better on the highway than the '14, and I prefer the softer ride. If you're on bumpy roads, frost heaves, etc, 'feeling the road' is the last thing I want. I'm afraid they design cars for the desk jockeys who write for magazines and think 'feeling the road' is a good thing. If we had good roads around here and no snow, I'd be in a Challenger. :Racing: