Here at Driving Lines, we like to take the whole car review concept a step further. In our current review of the Jeep Patriot, Stefan Lombard and myself sat down for a little online chat to discuss the thing and how it’s perceived on the street. Join us won’t you?
Jason:
Alright Stefan, I got the Jeep Patriot the other day. Interesting car. You’ve driven it right?
Stefan:
I have indeed.
It’s very… Jeepy.
Jason:
Yeah. That’s just what I thought.
It’s not too bad for the price either, considering it starts at $18,000 and hits about $24,000 pretty stocked.
But, you never forget you’re in a Jeep.
Stefan:
You get a lot of capability for the dollar.
A Jeep is a Jeep is a Jeep. They all go everywhere if you do it right.
Jason:
And most of them feel a bit plasticky and a bit rough around the edges… The Patriot being no exception.
Stefan:
True. That said, I’m a big fan of that Chrysler Lifetime Powertrain Warranty. Of course it makes you wonder if it’s the Jeep’s lifetime, or Chrysler’s.
Jason:
Yeah, but we all know Obama will personally pay out of his pocket if something happens to your car after Chrysler goes bankrupt.
I saw it on his campaign trail.
Stefan:
Big promises.
Jason:
But a friend of mine actually has a Patriot, and she loves it. I think it fits her single-mom lifestyle very well. Not a minivan, and not a total gas-guzzler, but still roomie enough for a trip to soccer practice
Stefan:
It is all of those things. They drive well on and off road. Here’s something though. I have a hard time distinguishing between the Partiot and the Liberty and the Compass. I mean, I know they look different, but they seem aimed at the same segment.
Jason:
Yeah. I hear you. It’s part of why a Jeep is a Jeep is a Jeep… I think really they’re all the same car with different logos.
The marketing department just shoots them at different angles.
So I had my test unit for a week. For the most part, I liked driving it. It’s a good size for driving in a city (although, Jeep would never show the unit in an urban landscape, this is only for climbing 14,000 foot mountains you know.)
However, my biggest complaint was that it felt pretty stiff. It wasn’t the smoothest or quietest ride I’ve experienced.
Stefan:
Given the choices in the small, x-over SUV market, cars like the Patriot, Forester, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Outlander, etc, the Patriot would be my choice.
Jason:
Why is that?
And while smaller, do you consider the CR-V in the same market?
Stefan:
Perceived durability, I suppose. All those others are little SUVs built around a car. Jeep only makes Jeeps, and they’re rugged and proven. I consider them more of a 4×4 than and AWD.
Jason:
Yeah, but you pay for that in the day-to-day driving… They’re not exactly like driving a ‘benz.
Stefan:
CR-V and RAV 4 to an extent, sure.
Jason:
But I hear you though. You don’t feel bad inviting your dog into the backseat.
Stefan:
Exactly. The others will certainly feel better on the bum during your day-to-day driving, which, if we’re being honest, is all people who buy these things ever do anyway. I think the CR-V is king of that hill. But my inlaws just hit a deer with their Patriot.
Bent the license plate.
Jason:
haha, nice.
not for the deer, but for the repair bill.
Stefan:
Yeah. I was kind of astounded by that. That seems like Volvo 240 strength to me.
Or a lucky hit.
Jason:
“Jeeps make their own luck”
Stefan:
Is that a slogan?
Jason:
I don’t know why I put that in quotes, it just sort of felt like it deserved it.
Stefan:
It seems apropos.
Jason:
So, summarize: If you can’t distinguish between the other Jeeps in the lineup, don’t feel bad. And if you want to hit deer for fun, the Patriot is a great choice. But all that fun and luck come with a price, a sore bum. Anything I missed?
Stefan:
Don’t expect a whole lot of refinement from the thing.
Jason:
We really just defined the perfect hunting rig… Does it all, even bags the deer.
Stefan:
True story.
Jason:
Alright, that’s our take on the Jeep Patriot. Join us next time when we talk about something else.
