Does the Patriot make a great college car? If nothing else, the Patriot 4X4 is true to the Jeep brand. The looks are unmistakably Jeep and looks a little like a cross between... February 8, 2010 by Denis Flierl
Jeep's small crossover utility vehicle--based on the Dodge Caliber--is called either Patriot or Compass depending on body style. The tested Patriot Sport 4 X 4's rear is... January 23, 2010 by Cliff Leppke 2
Back in September Chrysler showed its commitment to designing and marketing a range of electric and hybrid vehicles with the unveiling of a trio of concept vehicles, one for... January 10, 2009 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2
The two smallest SUVs in Jeep's lineup, the Compass and Patriot, are getting all-new interiors for 2009 to help boost sales and fix problems with the previous models' design... September 1, 2008 by Nelson Ireson 4
Boxy styling is actually one of the Patriot's selling points, so those looking at it might also consider the Scion xB, another city-friendly small car.
The Ford Escape, despite its carlike underpinnings, has a style and driving position that's quite trucklike.
With improved safety and standard features for 2009, the Escape is a much better vehicle.
All said, with a price that starts well under $16,000, the Patriot is an awesome value.
The Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander are two other small crossovers that aren't quite as distinctively styled, but they come well equipped.
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 suffers from road noise inside, and it's considerably more expensive.
The xB has similar fuel economy and a similar size, though its passenger space isn't quite as usable as that of the 2009 Jeep Patriot.
However, the xB's interior feels more upscale and sportier, but it's a bit more expensive.