because the pat doesnt advertise like more expense cars
they rather praise a crappy car with large ad expense budget,
than a good car with low expense budget.
they know where their paycheck comes from,

 

Nailed it!

 

Pro reviewers apparently think everyone has lots of money to dump into a new Porsche Cayenne. I would argue that, for the money, there is not another vehicle that competes with the Patriot. Sure, if you spend several thousand dollars more, you can get a vehicle with more options, a bigger engine, a fancier interior, etc. But at the end of the day, if you're like me, you want a 4x4 with great fuel economy, decent room, and for not a lot of money. Apparently a lot of people are like me because the Patriot has sold well...

 

That makes me so mad...

 

The most recent issue of Car and Driver (Aug 2011) is very critical of the 2011 Jeep Compass as well. I've read so many reviews over the years of the Patriot, and I really think the consensus among reviewers is simply that the vehicle just feels underpowered. All of the other little complaints are just secondary and probably would go unnoticed (or less noticed) if the CVT had been replaced. But it does beg the question--are all of the reviewers wrong or could there be a bias among loyal Patriot owners? And I don't mean to say that with any disrespect, just throwing it out there for discussion. Oh, and I meant to add that you don't really see as many complaints from "professional" reviewers about 5-speed Patriots. I can remember at least a couple of reviews that go through the motions and then will say something to the effect of "if you're going to get the Patriot, then at least get the manual...."

 

Reviews were similar on our 2009 Dodge Avenger. And it's one of the most solid and comfortable cars we have ever owned - and it has the same 2.4 engine as the Patriot.

Gas mileage is great on both of them.

I have no complaints with either vehicle or either engine.

If I could only get that kind of mileage on my Dodge Ram 1500. :doh:

 

They are unwilling to accept the Patriot on the "it is what it is" level. Useful, inexpensive, economical, reliable, 4x4. For some reason, all that just isn't good enough. :doh:

 

You summed up my rant thanks!
===========

"But it does beg the question--are all of the reviewers wrong or could there be a bias among loyal Patriot owners? "

Of course there is a bit of a bias here among us, however, we aren't flat out calling the bad reviews wrong. We could all agree on some of the things the Patriot lacks compared to other vehicles in it's class. But may I point again, that I paid under $20,000 for a 4x4 that looks damn sweet, holds lots of gear, gets great MPGs AND has a good safety rating? I guess we are lucky. Maybe the Patriot will be a classic in 30 years...At the rate I am driving it, mine will only have 180,000 miles on it

 

oh man let's see....

In the first paragraph they start showing their bias by stating that the new durango is much better then the truck based model it replaces. While I tend to agree, throwing in the "truck based" immediately makes me think that they don't like anything that isn't a sports car.

The complaints are:
unresponsive handling (sports car bias again?) which I counter with suspension tuned for off road performance.
Sluggish... Okay you got me but I will say that I believe the camry (a good selling well received car) has a 2.5L 4 that makes what? 179 hp... something like that. It's in the ball park. I would not be surprised that the Jeep is heavier though and with all wheel drive it probably has more drive train loss as well.
Noisy.... Well I don't think so but I'm coming from a Wrangler and an SRT8 charger. The only time I found the Patriot noisy was under full throttle condition, but with the CVT the motor is just held at red line, of course it will be noisy.

Overall Jeep products tend to get not so good reviews. The new grand seems to be an exception. I tend to think that those pro-reviewers just don't understand why someone wants a Jeep in the first place. I go back to an article in I forget which magazine. It was a small truck shoot out and included the dodge dakota, chevy colorado and a few others. They drove "offroad" through someplace like death valley then declared their winner.... The Honda Ridgeline. their reason is that it was the least truck like. Which is okay I guess, unless you want a "truck". They just seem to often miss the point of anything that isn't a sports car.

 

The new Grand is the least Jeep like vehicle Jeep has ever made. It has more in common with a Cadillac SRX than a Wagoneer.:doh:

 

I have the 5 speed and have no complaints about sluggishness, in fact it is quite responsive and very fun to drive, even on the twisty mountain roads here. The engine and tire noise is worse than some of the competition that I drove, but not offensive. (The tire noise will be eliminated when I eventually drop some cash on new tires.) For the money, there was nothing nearly as well-equipped or practical that I could fine.

 

I would love to actualy meet the reviewers.... They are overpaid and frankly a wasted salry.

 

Even with the poorly rated reviews, I still used consumer reports to compare MPG and other specs to other SUVs. I'm very happy with my choice

 

The "reviewer" seems compelled to mention how great the UAW is. Why? What about purchase price and mileage? Hondas' variable valve timing is hailed as a breakthrough, the Patriot has it and had it first I believe in this price range. Why is the Rouge's Jatco CVT great and the Patriot's Jatco CVT is a problem? In CR's yearly review paperback, the brief mention of the Patriot is ludicrous, it is not recommended and the reason they print is that the windshield is too far forward. C'mon now, give us break.

 

t is not recommended and the reason they print is that the windshield is too far forward. C'mon now, give us break.

Anyone been in the new Subaru Legacy? Talk about a far forward windshield! You feel like your at the helm of giant ocean-liner!

 

I would trade mine in , in a heart beat if they offered the Patriot with a small 6 cylinder and a conventional automatic.

Or a 2.4 CRD with an automatic.

Or if we could get gas under $2 a gallon again, I'd consider a used Commander.

 

The reviewers seem to think that anything with the name Jeep should be able to climb Mount Everest. I've had my '07 Pat for four years now, and it's only cost me for oil and lube, and tire rotations. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong. By far the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

 

The guy is a Jackass. I drove every truck out there and other than needing 20 hp more and stiffer seats the Patriot is the best bang for the buck. How could you complain when your averaging 25 to 27 mpg for a suv. Also, it handles pretty good for a 3000 vehicle.

 

I wanted something better on gas than a Titan, and I needed moderate 4WD capability. I like Mopar and have always had a Jeep thing.

My Patriot is not a rock-crawler or a mud pit champ, but it will take me down forest roads and deal with the occasional snowfall.

The reviewers of any major pub hate Chrysler. Most specifically Jeep. They write bad stuff about the Wrangler too.

The interior on the 2011 Patriot is MUCH better than in the past. I like the soft touch points and new steering wheel. And the fit and finish on my dash is first rate.

I think the reviewers still remember the 2007 model and haven't truly given a 2011 with better build and suspension a fair shake.

 

It is more than just the poor reviews of the Patriot. It is cultural. The idea you need to have only the "best" item has moved to a whole new level with instant communication. Even though advertising seems to push us toward "new" "different" nothing could be farther from the truth. Just look at the outrage with the original Liberty, Chevy HHR (I'm sure others) putting the window switches on the console where both occupants could use the same switch cluster. Remember all the crazy different stuff manufacturers used to do in the 60's? Now moving from the norm is a death wish. Using the word "station wagon" is a death wish for that model. The sport model coupe is almost nonexistent in domestic models. I'm talking about something like a Taurus or Charger coupe, not a Mustang or Challenger.

Manufacturers and reviewers need to refocus on companies offering multiple vehicles to meet the different needs and wants of consumers. They need to truly accept the "it is what it is" concept before reviewing. Now, it seems each vehicle is watered down by manufacturers to reach a broader market. (usually alienating the base) Then the vehicle is panned by reviewers because it won't do the things it was never designed to accomplish. I am singularly unimpressed by the homogeneous onslaught of wind-tunnel sedans, crossovers and minivans. Seen one, seen 'em all. Patriot actually stands out because it is more in tune with real Jeep values and styling, but you see what kind of reviews it gets from non-owners. If you like a vehicle model, but do not want to drive a 4 door sedan, the choices and few.

 

The sport model coupe is almost nonexistent in domestic models. I'm talking about something like a Taurus or Charger coupe, not a Mustang or Challenger.

The Challenger and Charger use the same chassis and the same drivetrain. What more do you want?

 

I highly agree. Try to keep in mind that the 'Expert' reviewers are in the business of selling car reviews. That means the largest profits for them are found catering to the manufacturer who advertises the most with their affiliates and to the largest public demographic, telling them the car they already want to buy (as influenced by slick computer generated advertising) is better then all others, so go out and buy it now, now, now.

As an individual with unique needs and values not always in line with the largest demographic, I have found, after more than 6 months of research, the Patriot to be the best choice for me. It's strengths reflect those I value, it's weaknesses are either in areas I care little about, or am willing to accept in order to get what I want.

 

Chrysler conducted a survey in 09 on what features were important to people. What you see today is the result of the survey. The super stripper Patriot was eliminated. No more vinyl seats on the Patriot. The Patriot has retained some of the low buck options, but the "new" Compass does not offer the no power version any more.

I don't think I would own a Patriot if it had not been offered with vinyl seats.

 

I think reviewers just dont GET the Patriot , they dont understand it, & they cant be bothered to try

 

Cr gets little respect and no reading from me. They don't even know in what class to put the Patriot. If they had a category for SUVs with off-road capability, under $20,000, that get 30+MPG, the Patriot would lead the class, while leaving the competition in the swamp, or stranded out of gas two dozen miles from the nearest filling station, maybe both.

CR has had little respect from me, whether its a car, a toaster, or a vacuum cleaner -- they just don't get it. I recall in the 70s I think it was CR who compared bottled waters using NYC tap water as the standard! Can you imagine touting that on the label of Poland Spring!?!

I don't even trust their repair statistics. They downed the Wrangler, but we owned a '92 we liked so much we bought a 2004. No untimely issues with either one. In fact the '04 is approaching 100,000 on nothing but oil changes and a set of brakes. Oops, I stand corrected: a stabalizer connector bushing popped. Anyway, I'm so confident of its reliability, I'm about to invest in new shoes and sneakers for it. (To be honest, stock wheels have a rust problem).

 

The Patriot was voted " Best Budget 4x4 " by UK 4x4 Magazine , but no one took a blind bit of notice , & Jeep UK have so little respect for it they deleted it.
If Jeep themselves never understood what a great little vehicle they have /had...no wonder the Motoring Press give it a hard time !!

 

It's a Jeep thing, consumer reports just wouldn't understand

FWIW I hate consumer reports...

 

I think the reason why the MK platform fares so poorly is because it fills a certain niche between market segments. While it does many tasks well, it's not amazing in any particular segment. It's often unfairly compared against only loosely related vehicles or significantly more expensive vehicles.

It's easy to find a 5-door car or station wagon that gets better gas mileage or an SUV with a bigger engine. The MK platform is a compromise between both.

Ultimately, it's a small SUV with a lot of storage, decent fuel mileage, a very capable 4WD system, very reliable, and an all around versatile vehicle. It's also inexpensive enough to get out-the-door for less than $22k from the dealer.

 

kb01, you nailed it. The Patriot may not lead in any particular category, but it comes in 2nd in every category.

 

The department I work for is experimenting with a Toyota Highlander Hybrid as a patrol car. I was assigned the vehicle last week as I have a reputation for being easy on a patrol car.

Now to compare the Highlander with the Patriot...

The Highlander has more power, but in every other way the Highlander and Patriot are equal in quality. Both have a hard interior with soft touch points. As far as fit & finish they are both equal in quality but I do think better material might be used in the seats on the Toyota. My Patriot actually gets better mileage than the Highlander Hybrid. (But the Highlander still gets much better mileage than my old Charger & Crown Victoria) It will make a good patol vehicle but I don't think it will be much of a pursuit vehicle. It will run over three digits on the speedometer; it just takes a little longer to get there.

Based upon the initial quality of both vehicles, I tend to wonder what criteria the professional auto reviewers use. I found both of them to be of equal quallity. Both are good vehicles. If I were buying new I would still pick the Patriot. I don't feel that you get that much more (other than horsepower) in the Highlander over the Patriot.

There's my very unprofessional opinion.

 

Thats good to know Double D - always wondered how the Highlander would stack up? - in NZ the highlander would be nearly twice the price.
How would they compare offroad?