2007 Jeep Patriot Review

The Jeep Patriot is sort of a revival of the 1984-2001 compact Jeep Cherokee, which kicked off the four-door civilian mass SUV market.

Unlike the new, rather cute Jeep Compass, the five-passenger Patriot has more traditional square-line rugged Jeep styling, with a tailgate and split-folding rear seat. It's the lowest-priced model in the greatly expanded Jeep lineup.

Front- and all-wheel drive are offered for the Patriot, which is built with the Compass and Dodge Caliber at DaimlerChrysler's Belvidere assembly plant. Rivals include the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Suzuki Grand Vitara.

The Patriot will feel user-friendly to those accustomed to only cars. The power steering is accurate, handling is good and the suspension provides a supple ride. The brake pedal feel is reassuring and allows smooth stops.

Jeeps are famous for off-road agility, and the Patriot all-wheel-drive version can be had with an off-road option that provides good prowess away from pavement. There are Sport and upscale Limited trim levels. List prices go from $14,425 to $21,430.

Standard is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower that provides decent in-town acceleration but average performance above 65 mph. It comes with a five-speed manual gearbox or $1,050 continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission, which makes it a bit sleepy off the line.

An available 2-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower is an oddity. It's offered for a $200 credit but provides less performance and can only be had with the CVT, which costs $1,050.

It doesn't deliver much higher fuel economy than the 2.4 engine, so hardly seems worth bothering with. It delivers the same economy as the more potent 2.4 when that engine is mated with a five-speed manual gearbox.

The manual is the best Patriot transmission. But the CVT does away with shifting gears. It's efficient but causes rather high engine noise during fast acceleration with either the 2- or 2.4-liter engines, which need lots of revs for the best performance.

The $605-$800 off-road option for the Limited or Sport comes only with a CVT transmission modified to have low-range gearing and a hill-descent feature. The option also includes items including a raised suspension, tow hook, skid plates and, for the Limited, 17-inch all-terrain white-letter tires.

The off-road option lowers fuel economy with the 2.4-liter engine to an estimated 21 mpg city and 23 highway, which is considerably below estimated Patriot economy figures without it. That's because that option's special final drive ratio for off-road use lowers economy.

The 2-liter engine with the regular CVT provides an estimated 26 city and 30 highway. The 2.4 with the manual delivers 26 and 30 with front-drive and 25 and 29 with all-wheel drive. Figures with the 2.4 and regular CVT are 24 and 27 with front-drive and 23 and 26 with all wheel drive.

The Patriot Sport is moderately well equipped with the standard 2.4 engine and such items as front bucket seats, console, tilt wheel, AM/FM/CD player, variable intermittent wipers and rear wiper/washer.

The Sport also has standard traction control, curtain side air bags, anti-lock all-disc brakes and an anti-skid system with rollover sensors. However, front side air bags are $250 extra.

The more lavishly equipped Limited, which starts at $19,680, adds air conditioning, leather upholstery, heated front seats, cruise control, steering wheel radio controls, driver-seat height adjustment, fold-flat front passenger seat -- and power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry. It also has wider tires on 17-inch (vs. 16-inch) wheels.

A $2,350 Quick Order option group for the Sport includes air conditioning, height-adjustable driver seat, and power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry.

It's hard to imagine any Jeep dealer ordering a Sport without the Quick Order option. You also can get the $995 Power Group for the Sport with power mirrors, windows and locks with remote entry, but it requires $850 air conditioning.

Among costliest stand-alone options is a $1,395 navigation system (with a 6-disc CD changer) for the Limited.

The Patriot weighs 3,108 to 3,326 pounds and rides on a 103.7-inch wheelbase.

It's roomy in back, but a hard center seat area is uncomfortable for a third rear occupant. (The Cherokee was too snug in the rear.) It's easy to get in or out in front, but rather narrow door openings complicate entry and exit at the rear. Back-seat cupholders are awkwardly placed at the back of the front console near the floor.

Outside door handles are large, and smaller loop-style inside handles are easily grasped. Rear windows lower all the way to, for instance, make it easier to be handed food in fast-food outlet drive-through lanes.

There is some wind and road noise, but the front bucket seats are supportive. And the white-on-black gauges can be easily read. The automatic transmission lever conveniently juts from the console area, and simple controls are logically laid out.

While large, the climate controls are notchy and the turn signal lever needs a sturdier feel. Radio controls are decent, but the tilt wheel is difficult to adjust.

A large "dead pedal" provides a comfortable spot for a driver to rest his or her left foot, but the interior has lots of hard plastic.

The cargo area is large, with a low, wide opening, and rear seatbacks fold flat to expand it.

The Patriot should be a hit with traditional Jeep buyers looking for a reasonably sized vehicle with familiar Jeep styling and carlike comfort -- plus the ability to handle tough off-road terrain. It also should appeal to those who want Jeep styling and utility, but never venture off road.

2007 JEEP PATRIOT 

PRICE: $14,425-$21,430. 

LIKES: Retro Jeep styling. Respectable performance. Effective off-road option. 

DISLIKES: Average highway acceleration. Narrow rear door openings. Inconvenient rear cupholders.