Things are back to normal
After presenting us the Compass, certain people might have wondered what direction the legendary brand was heading towards. An urban Jeep, in the minds of the purists, the tough guys and gals that drive YJs, TJs and Wranglers year-round, is as unthinkable as Paris Hilton without makeup.
And yet Compass sales are very good, according the Chrysler. Its attractive price should be the main reason for its success, as its look doesn't seem to please everyone. And to add insult to injury, no version of the Compass is Trail Rated, a sin for a Jeep if there was one.
Here's the Patriot, or the return to normal.
Undeniable family traits
I have the impression that Jeep could've named this SUV the Cherokee instead of the Patriot, and it wouldn't have offended anybody. Whatever; the important thing is that the vehicle is instantly recognizable as a member of the family, which isn't the case of the Compass.
Compared to the latter, the Patriot's arrival and departure angles are far superior, thanks to shorter overhangs. Ok, we're a long way from the angles of the Wrangler and the Liberty, but they're still pretty good.
Visually, I prefer the angular and tough-looking sheetmetal of the Patriot. And when we compare it with other small SUVs on the market, it's probably the one who'll get the most looks; I don't know anybody who doesn't like Jeeps.
Nothing new under the hood, almost
Mechanically, there is only one thing that sets the Patriot apart from the Compass: 4WD versions can be equipped with Freedom Drive II. This system includes the CVT2L gearbox, a variation of the automatic transmission that's unloved by automotive journalists. The CVT2L adds a crawl ratio for improving off-road capability.
After presenting us the Compass, certain people might have wondered what direction the legendary brand was heading towards. An urban Jeep, in the minds of the purists, the tough guys and gals that drive YJs, TJs and Wranglers year-round, is as unthinkable as Paris Hilton without makeup.
And yet Compass sales are very good, according the Chrysler. Its attractive price should be the main reason for its success, as its look doesn't seem to please everyone. And to add insult to injury, no version of the Compass is Trail Rated, a sin for a Jeep if there was one.
Here's the Patriot, or the return to normal.
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| The lines of the Patriot recall those of the long-gone Cherokee. |
Undeniable family traits
I have the impression that Jeep could've named this SUV the Cherokee instead of the Patriot, and it wouldn't have offended anybody. Whatever; the important thing is that the vehicle is instantly recognizable as a member of the family, which isn't the case of the Compass.
Compared to the latter, the Patriot's arrival and departure angles are far superior, thanks to shorter overhangs. Ok, we're a long way from the angles of the Wrangler and the Liberty, but they're still pretty good.
Visually, I prefer the angular and tough-looking sheetmetal of the Patriot. And when we compare it with other small SUVs on the market, it's probably the one who'll get the most looks; I don't know anybody who doesn't like Jeeps.
Nothing new under the hood, almost
Mechanically, there is only one thing that sets the Patriot apart from the Compass: 4WD versions can be equipped with Freedom Drive II. This system includes the CVT2L gearbox, a variation of the automatic transmission that's unloved by automotive journalists. The CVT2L adds a crawl ratio for improving off-road capability.
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| The Patriot shares most of its mechanical parts with the Compass. |