Jeep Patriot
Expert Rating:
Introduction
It's taken a little time for American manufacturers to tune in to customer requirements on this side of the pond. European customers place their focus in different areas to their US equivalents. The latest Jeep Patriot shows clear signs that the gaps are closing.
What are its rivals?
Times were when SUVs were a novelty; now everyone makes one and from budget to prestige the options are rich and varied. Jeep pitches the Patriot right into the middle of the mêlée. Most notable in terms of the many competitors to consider are the Ford Kuga, Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V and Land Rover Freelander.
How does it drive?
Really quite well. Jeep engineers have obviously gone to some lengths to sort out the road manners of their product offerings, particularly given the lofty expectations of European customers and the demands our roads put on cars. Previous Jeeps have been lacking in accomplishment in the suspension area but the latest Patriot rights many of those wrongs with a much more competent and composed chassis. The steering is a touch vague in terms of feel but the weighting is good and it's faithful as far as obeying orders is concerned, until put under duress by over ambitious drivers.
What's impressive?
As you'd expect given the size of the body, the cabin is roomy, particularly in terms of headroom where even the tallest occupant could don a particularly extravagant hat. The load space is equally impressive, readily accommodating bikes and family paraphernalia - or a generously proportioned dog. Also, the car-like driving experience is noticeably better than Jeep's previous cars.
The 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit provides decent lugging power, if not outright performance, and will make the Patriot a competent towing car as well as a capable off roader - thanks also to the switchable four-wheel drive. Perhaps more importantly the Patriot has impressive road presence courtesy of that bold front end and the tinted glass and dark coated alloys give the Patriot real kerb appeal.
What's not?
All the bings and bongs of the various warnings and alarms in the cabin are no doubt well meaning but within a week they were driving users of the Jeep to distraction. Some of the other criticisms are equally subtle - the aesthetics will divide opinion, for sure, and the look and feel of the cabin and the materials therein still lack the accomplishment and polish of class leaders. The satnav is functional but not pretty and the dashboard and controls aren't that user friendly either. Overall, it's a common theme - it's not bad, it just isn't as good as European and Japanese rivals who have adapted more completely to the niche already.
Other shortfalls include the rather gruff engine that lacks the refinement of the best in class; it also proved to be quite thirsty (not helped by a small 51-litre fuel tank) whilst not delivering the punch of some rivals' units.
Should I buy one?
It really depends what your priorities are. The Patriot certainly represents a strong image and a strong brand - for many that will be enough to sway the purchase decision. For others who look deeper, the value is relatively good and as a family car it's spacious and practical. The Patriot has also closed the gap on more road biased rivals, which is a good thing, as it needed to. For those who find the class leaders' images a little too bland and anonymous the Jeep offers an alternative that isn't so much a second best as a different compromise.
