2007 Jeep Patriot Review by Mike Hanley

2007 Jeep Patriot

Kelley Blue Book Retail $10,300–$12,450
This price range reflects the Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail value for all trim levels, but not necessarily all available options.
The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail value represents the amount an auto dealer might ask for a specific vehicle; the actual sale price will vary. A vehicle's popularity, condition, warranty, color and local market conditions are factors involved in determining a final price. The retail value is not a trade-in or private party value.
The Suggested Retail value assumes that the vehicle has been fully reconditioned and has a clean title history. The Suggested Retail value also allows for advertising, sales commissions, insurance and other costs of doing business as a dealer. Most vehicles offered at this price have passed an inspection, and some may carry a warranty. Vehicle mileage is assumed to be normal or below normal.

Previous Review 2 of 7 Next Review

Expert Reviews

By Mike Hanley

Cars.com National April 24, 2006

Vehicle Overview

The 2007 Jeep Patriot is a compact SUV that, like the recently introduced 2007 Compass, moves Jeep further into the realm of car-based sport utility vehicles. The Compass and Patriot share a platform and, as the Patriot is within inches of most of the Jeep Liberty's key exterior dimensions, it could be mistaken for its truck-based sibling.

Available in both front- and all-wheel-drive variants, the Patriot hits U.S. dealerships toward the end of 2006. Standard features include a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, side curtain-type airbags and an electronic stability system. Three drivetrains are offered, and the most capable system gives the Patriot Jeep's Trail-Rated designation, which means it's capable of meeting certain offroad standards for traction, water fording and ground clearance, among others.

Exterior

To observe the Patriot is essentially to see the silhouette of a Liberty, which begs the question: Does the world need another boxy SUV? The Patriot's styling hasn't changed appreciably since it debuted in concept form at the 2005 Frankfurt auto show, and the concept's seven-slot grille and round headlamps have made it to production. Standard steel wheels measure 16 inches in diameter, but 17-inch aluminum wheels are available.

With the optional Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package — which includes the driveline hardware that makes the Patriot Trail-Rated — the SUV gets 17-inch all-terrain tires, skid plates, tow hooks and fog lamps. Trail-Rated Patriots have 9 inches of ground clearance.

Interior

Two rows of seats provide room for five occupants, and the interior is trimmed in shades of gray or beige. Presumably in an effort to keep the starting price — still a mystery — low, the base Patriot has "Vinyl Tech" seats and manual windows and locks, and lacks air conditioning. Options include cruise control; air conditioning; power windows, locks and mirrors; keyless entry; a 115-volt power plug; and premium cloth seating that is designed to prevent staining and discoloration.

The Patriot Limited includes all the previously mentioned options, and also has deep-tinted glass; a flat-folding front passenger seat; and a 60/40-split, folding and reclining chair-height rear seat (as opposed to the rear seat on the base model, which folds flat). With the front passenger seat and rear seats folded, Jeep says the Patriot can hold an 8-foot ladder. A power sunroof and a Leather Interior Group, which includes leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with stereo controls, are available options.

The Patriot has a number of uncommon options, too, like a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system with speakers that can swing out of the liftgate when camping, and a cargo area dome light that can be removed and used as a flashlight.

Under the Hood

Both the base and Limited Patriot have a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 172 horsepower and 165 pounds-feet of torque and drives a five-speed manual transmission. A continuously variable transmission is optional.

Buyers have three drivelines to choose from: front-wheel drive, Freedom Drive I and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package. One of the main differences between the Freedom four-wheel-drive systems is that Freedom Drive II's continuously variable transmission incorporates a low range for difficult offroad driving. Advanced offroad features include Hill Descent Control and offroad Brake Traction Control.

Safety

All-disc antilock brakes, an electronic stability system and side curtain-type airbags are standard. Side-impact airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system are optional.

Previous Review 2 of 7 Next Review

Additional Reviews

Cars.com Expert Reviews

Joe Wiesenfelder	Cars.com National	February 5, 2007
Mike Hanley	Cars.com National	April 24, 2006

Affiliate Reviews

Steven Cole Smith	Orlando Sentinel	October 20, 2007
Jim Mateja	chicagotribune.com	July 8, 2007
G. Chambers Williams III	Star-Telegram.com	February 8, 2007
Scott Burgess	The Detroit Newspapers	February 7, 2007
Emily Hansen	Mother Proof	February 2, 2007