2007 Jeep Patriot

Over the last year Jeep has been busy expanding its horizons beyond traditional, all-terrain-capable SUVs with the addition of more street-savvy crossovers. We tested the first such effort, the Compass, last fall. Now, it’s the second installment, the Jeep Patriot. But with the compact-sized Patriot, Jeep just may be covering all the ground.

Ever since the first Willy’s joined the army in 1941, a Jeep has been the off-road vehicle of record for the land of the red, white, and blue. So it fits that their latest effort proudly bears the name of Patriot.

New for 2007, this chunky 5-door bears a strong, squared resemblance to the old ready-for-anything Cherokee, but the front or four-wheel drive Patriot is built on the same 103.7-inch wheelbase platform as the citified Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber.

However, unlike Compass and Caliber, Jeep made the Patriot crossover capable of tackling more than the urban jungle.

For starters, our Patriot Limited 4X4 came with the optional 17-inch stout-looking alloy wheels, giving us 8.1-inches of ground clearance. A locking center coupling, short overhangs, and generous off-road approach, break over, and departure angles all get high marks too. But, that’s all pretty much the same as the Compass.

Where the Patriot departs from its cousin is the availability of an optional Trail-Rated Freedom Drive II off-road package. That adds a two-speed transfer case with a rock crawling low gear, another inch ground clearance, plus Off Road Brake Traction Control and Hill Descent Control, and better body sealing with high mounted drive train vents.

The end result is the ability to forge a 19-inch deep stream and qualify for Jeep’s “Trail Rated” designation.

The Patriot also doesn’t mess around with engines. Standard is Chrysler’s corporate 2.4 liter dual-cam 4-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing that cranks out 172 horses with 165 lb-ft of torque. If you want the 2.0-liter 158-horsepower 4 that’s standard in the Compass, you will get some money back.

But it’s the 2.4 that keeps to tradition with its 5-speed manual, although most Patriots will move with the optional Continuously Variable Transmission.

At the test track, the Patriot launched slowly, walking its way from 0 to 60 in 10.6 seconds, and a long quarter-mile of 18.6 seconds at 82 miles-per-hour. The 5-speed quickens both results by over a second.

Stomping on the left pedal brings the Patriot down from 60 in 133 feet by way of 4-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS and Brake Assist.

Handling is aided by standard electronic traction and stability control with roll sensor that adds confidence to the Patriot’s smooth but soft response.  The front end pushes slowly into turns without much feedback; bit the rack-and-pinion steering is signature Jeep quick and light.

On open roads, the Patriot felt solid and was rattle-free and is a snap to maneuver around busy parking lots and city streets.

Government fuel economy ratings for a 4-wheel-drive Limited are 20 city/24 highway. We averaged 23 miles-per-gallon on regular grade gas. The Patriot’s Energy Impact Score is a good 15.6 barrels of oil per year.

Most aspects of the Patriot’s interior are shared with the Compass. It’s very basic, yet we did notice a big improvement in fit and finish from the Compass we tested last fall.  The optional leather wrapped seats are supportive and offer a commanding view of the road.

Standard is a single-disc, AM/FM stereo with MP3 player input. A Boston Acoustics sound system is optional and includes speakers behind the lift gate that swing down to provide the tunes for outdoor activities.

In the rear, the seats are stiff but functional and feature a 60/40 split. The front passenger seat also folds flat to maximize utility.  Cargo space measures a healthy 62.7 cubic-feet with the second row folded.

Pricing for the 2007 Jeep Patriot starts at $14,985 for a manual 2-wheel-drive Sport model. The Limited rings up at $20,240 for front drive, and $21,990 for 4-wheel-drive. The Freedom Drive II package adds less than $800 more. This makes Patriot the least expensive but most capable utility available.

Indeed, Jeep expects the Patriot’s low price and high on and off-road capabilities to attract younger, more budget conscious buyers to the brand. 

The Patriot is right at home in canyons of both dirt and concrete.  And, just like the red, white, and blue, it’s a Jeep that can unite the whole country.