2011 Jeep Patriot

From the outside, the Patriot's design is purely utilitarian. The boxy, chunky look fits well next to older Jeep models like the Cherokee and should age well over time; we also like it far better than the closely related Compass, even considering the 'mini-Grand Cherokee' refresh Jeep gave the Compass for 2011. The combination of round headlamps, a version of the traditional Jeep seven-slot grille, and the squared-off, rugged cues isn't much different this year, though Jeep has extended the front and rear fascias somewhat lower, which helps accent the wheel arches.

Inside, the Patriot is also very purposeful and simple. Some hints of brightwork added over the past couple of model years have spruced it up from the purely drab it had originally been, but there's still a lot of hard, dull plastic up close. At a few paces back, it's an attractive, sturdy-looking cabin, though. 

Thanks to its compact-car size and well-defined corners, the Patriot is one of the easiest vehicles to park and drive in tight spaces. And at low speeds especially, the steering feels responsive and communicative. The Patriot is quite softly sprung, so it's by no means a sporty-feeling vehicle, but with the exception of some bounciness on some types of expressway surfaces the suspension offers a nice ride-versus-handling compromise.

While base Patriots come with front-wheel drive, there are two different four-wheel drive systems offered. The Freedom Drive I system is an active system much like that used in most all-wheel drive cars and crossovers, but it does have a lock mode to help with mud, snow, or sand. The Freedom Drive II option brings a truly Jeep-caliber level of off-road prowess to this vehicle, surprisingly; it includes low-range gearing (through a special version of the CVT), hill descent control, and extra ground clearance—plus a tougher suspension, skid plates, heavy-duty cooling, and hill descent control. 

The Patriot does reveal its car-based layout with an especially low front seating position; it's high enough for most to be able to see the front corners of the vehicle, yet not so high to feel tipsy as in more traditional SUV designs.

Cargo space is where the Patriot shines not only compared to the related Compass but to most other very compact utility vehicles; the tall roofline and boxy proportions make the cargo space behind the backseat more usable, and rear seatbacks fold forward neatly. The front passenger seat also folds forward to accommodate long items (an eight-foot ladder, for instance).

While the overall design of the interior hasn't changed, Chrysler has given the Patriot a subtle (yet still significant) set of trim and material upgrades for 2011. The new soft-touch door trim panels (front only, oddly); new padded center armrest; a new steering-wheel design, and thin chrome rings around climate control switches give the Patriot's cabin a lift. That said, it's still one of the most plasticky interiors of any utility vehicle. Admittedly, some will like this; it's probably one of the easiest interiors to clean up and keep clean, and the wet-wipe-friendly cargo floor is rubberized.

Thanks to recent engineering improvements—including more floor padding and better underhood noise isolation—the Patriot is quieter inside than it originally was; however it remains one of the noisier choices inside, and while road and wind noise are reasonably well-damped, the engine noise (especially with the CVT) is obtrusive. 

Overall, the list of standard safety features in the Patriot is particularly strong for the price; standard items include electronic stability control with roll mitigation, front side airbags, and side-curtain bags. Models with four-wheel drive add off-road brake traction control and hill descent control.

Outward visibility is very impressive in the Patriot, thanks to the boxy, upright design and plenty of (mostly unobstructed) greenhouse. Its lower ride height and clear corners, relative to some other vehicles in this class, also means that parallel parking and driveway 

For extras like heated leather seats, keyless entry, cruise control, a 115-volt power outlet, and other extras, you'll need to step up to the Limited; but all Patriot models now include air conditioning, a CD sound system, fog lamps, cruise control, and power accessories.

Patriot shoppers who want more than front-wheel drive have a choice of two four-wheel drive systems—Freedom Drive I, and Freedom Drive II Off-Road. The latter includes a low range plus a heavier-duty suspension, skid plates, and other enhancements. A new option for 2011 is an All-Weather Capability Group, bringing 17-inch all-terrain tires, an engine block heater, tow hooks, and all-season floor mats.

Once you consider the Latitude model you can option up to remote start, Uconnect Bluetooth with voice control, a universal garage-door opener, and tailgate speakers, as well as an available media center system with 30 gigabytes of music storage. The top Limited model adds automatic climate control, an upgraded media center, Sirius Satellite Radio, and big 18-inch wheels.

The Patriot, just as the related Caliber and Compass offer a couple of market-standout features: A rechargeable flashlight stores neatly in the rear cargo area, and foldout speakers aim to entertain when tailgating. 

If you're comparing the Patriot with a more carlike hatchback or wagon model and are just planning to get front-wheel drive, you could probably do better; but the four-wheel drive version, even with its lower mpg numbers, stands as one of the greener choice for those who need to do true (but occasional) trail crawling.