2008 Jeep Patriot vs. Its Competition

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

Shoppers are likely to be attracted to the Patriot's distinctive, boxy styling, so there may be some overlap with the Scion xB, another city-friendly small car.

The xB has similar fuel economy and a similar size, though its passenger space isn't quite as usable as that in the 2008 Jeep Patriot.

However the xB's interior feels more upscale and sportier, but it's a bit more expensive.

Shoppers also might consider the Subaru Forester, a small crossover-SUV mainstay that's known for its solid reliability and good resale value, along with its good performance in crash tests.

The Forester handles slightly better than the Patriot, but it also suffers from road noise inside, and it's considerably more expensive.

The Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander are two other small crossovers that aren't quite as distinctively styled, but they come well equipped.

Then there's the Ford Escape, which despite its carlike underpinnings has a style and driving position that's quite trucklike.

With improved safety and standard features for 2008, the Escape is a much better vehicle.

But, all said, with a price that starts well under $16,000, the Patriot is an awesome value.