2012 Jeep Patriot

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(3.9) 50 reviews
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2012 Jeep Patriot
Compare 3 Trims View Local Inventory
Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2012 Jeep Patriot. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Inexpensive base model
  • Off- or on-road performance option

The Bad

  • Anemic power

Notable Features of the 2012 Jeep Patriot

  • Choice of two four-cylinder engines
  • Front- or four-wheel drive
  • Trail-Rated off-road model available
  • Manual or automatic transmission
  • Optional flip-down liftgate speakers

2012 Jeep Patriot Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

Sharing a platform with the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber, the Patriot is supposed to be the most rugged of the three. It seats five people. To give its macho looks some teeth, the Patriot is available with two four-wheel-drive systems. The more capable of the two gets Jeep's Trail-Rated designation, meaning it can meet certain off-road standards for traction, water fording, ground clearance and more. Patriot competitors include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.

New for 2012
The Jeep Patriot's continuously variable automatic transmission has been refined for 2012, offering smoother deceleration, better initial acceleration, reduced engine noise and a more responsive gas pedal, Jeep says.

Exterior
The Patriot has a seven-slot grille, round headlights and trapezoidal wheel-well openings. Last year, the crossover got a new front bumper that repositioned the standard fog lights. Other exterior features include:

  • Standard side roof rails
  • Standard 16-inch steel wheels; 17-inch aluminum rims optional
  • Optional power heated side mirrors
  • Optional sunroof

Interior
Two rows of seats provide room for five. All Patriot models have a rechargeable flashlight. Other interior features include:

  • Standard cloth upholstery; leather optional
  • Standard 60/40-split folding backseat
  • Standard outside temperature gauge
  • Standard CD stereo with MP3 jack
  • Standard illuminated cupholders
  • Optional flat-folding front-passenger seat
  • Optional heated front seats
  • Optional ...
Vehicle Overview

Sharing a platform with the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber, the Patriot is supposed to be the most rugged of the three. It seats five people. To give its macho looks some teeth, the Patriot is available with two four-wheel-drive systems. The more capable of the two gets Jeep's Trail-Rated designation, meaning it can meet certain off-road standards for traction, water fording, ground clearance and more. Patriot competitors include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.

New for 2012
The Jeep Patriot's continuously variable automatic transmission has been refined for 2012, offering smoother deceleration, better initial acceleration, reduced engine noise and a more responsive gas pedal, Jeep says.

Exterior
The Patriot has a seven-slot grille, round headlights and trapezoidal wheel-well openings. Last year, the crossover got a new front bumper that repositioned the standard fog lights. Other exterior features include:

  • Standard side roof rails
  • Standard 16-inch steel wheels; 17-inch aluminum rims optional
  • Optional power heated side mirrors
  • Optional sunroof

Interior
Two rows of seats provide room for five. All Patriot models have a rechargeable flashlight. Other interior features include:

  • Standard cloth upholstery; leather optional
  • Standard 60/40-split folding backseat
  • Standard outside temperature gauge
  • Standard CD stereo with MP3 jack
  • Standard illuminated cupholders
  • Optional flat-folding front-passenger seat
  • Optional heated front seats
  • Optional air conditioning
  • Optional power windows, locks and side mirrors
  • Optional touch-screen stereo with 28-gigabyte hard drive
  • Optional Boston Acoustics audio with speakers that swing down from the liftgate
  • Optional Garmin-based navigation system

Under the Hood
Two four-cylinder engines are available for the Patriot. Both come standard with a five-speed manual transmission. A CVT is optional.
Buyers have three drivelines to choose from: front-wheel drive; Freedom Drive I four-wheel drive with lock mode; and Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package, a Trail-Rated four-wheel-drive system. Freedom Drive II has a CVT that incorporates a low range for off-road driving. The package also includes 17-inch all-terrain tires, a full-size spare tire and tow hooks. Mechanical features include:

  • Base 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder
  • Available 172-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder
  • Both engines use regular gas

Safety
Safety features include:

  • Standard side curtain airbags
  • Standard electronic stability system with electronic roll mitigation
  • Standard antilock brakes
  • Standard traction control
  • Optional side-impact airbags for the front seats

View 22 Photos

Latest 2012 Patriot Stories

See all 2012 Jeep Patriot articles >

Consumer Reviews

3.9
50 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.0)
Performance
(3.4)
Interior Design
(3.9)
Comfort
(3.8)
Reliability
(4.1)
Value For The Money
(4.0)

What Drivers Are Saying

(2.0)

It died so early

by Auntmimi from Barnegat, Nj on October 17, 2018

I take good care of my cars and while this Jeep was super fun to drive it outweighed for an adult to really own. It drank gas, was tight to have a car seat in, and by the time 90K Miles came it began ... Read full review

(3.0)

Cheap Patriot....

by Carl from Montreal, QC, CA on July 28, 2018

from 20000 to 60000km i needed to change the crank sensor which had the car stalling on random, rear suspension had to be fully redone for over 1200$, alternator went down and wasn't fully charging ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2012 Jeep Patriot currently has 0 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2012 Jeep Patriot Sport

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
acceptable
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
acceptable
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
acceptable
Structure/safety cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranties

Backed by Jeep
New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 100,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    5 model years or newer/less than 75,000 miles

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    3 months/3,000 miles

  • Powertrain warranty

    7 years/100,000 miles

  • Dealer Certification Required

    125-point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    Yes

  • View All Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website .

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Patriot received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker