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2009 Jeep Patriot Full Review
Date Published: 4/30/08
2009 Jeep Patriot Sneak Peek
The 2009 Jeep Patriot should see no major changes. This compact SUV is a companion to Jeep's Compass, but Patriot has more traditional Jeep styling and enhanced available off-road capability. Sport and Limited trims are available, and both seat five. A 172-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard. It teams with a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Available as a credit option on 2WD Sports with the CVT is a 158-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Patriot is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Optional is an off-road-oriented AWD system that includes low-range gearing and hill descent control. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Fold down tailgate speakers, a navigation system, leather upholstery, a fold-flat front passenger seatback, and heated front seats are among the options. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Jeep Patriot.
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2009 Jeep Patriot Road Test
Pros Cons
Available off-road capability Acceleration
Cargo room Cabin materials
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
4 4 4 4.7

Patriot is most spry with the manual transmission, though none are really quick. Adequate pull from a stop with either transmission, though models with the CVT struggle in passing and merging. We have not yet tested a Patriot with the 158-hp engine, but expect its performance to be marginal at best.
Fuel Economy

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
6 6 6 5

In Consumer Guide testing, an AWD Sport with CVT averaged 21.1 mpg. Patriot uses regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
6 6 5 5.2

Comfortable and stable. Some float over larger dips and jiggling over highway expansion joints is noticeable. The Off Road Group includes stiffer springs and all-terrain tires and has only a modest impact on ride quality.
Steering/Handling/Braking

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
5 5 5 4.9

Accurate, natural-feeling steering. Composure is good at highway speed with moderate body lean in corners. Brakes have a reassuring pedal feel.
Quietness

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
5 5 4 4.8

Generally well hushed. Wind noise is somewhat elevated compared to Compass. Some road noise is always present, elevated further with Off Road Group's more aggressively treaded tires. In models tested, engine noise is always present and is especially intrusive during acceleration.
Controls

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
6 6 6 6

Gauges are large and easy to read. Controls are handy and logically placed.
Details

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
4 4 4 5.2

Overall cabin quality is below the class norm. Switchgear lacks precision feel, and hard, unyielding plastic dominates the decor--though some testers feel the interior decor is appropriate to Patriot's rugged pretense.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
6 6 6 6.2

Ample headroom. High-mounted seats contribute to generous legroom. The fold-out cell phone/MP3 player holder in the center console is a nice touch, but when used, it renders the armrest useless and obscures the shifter. Visibility is good all around.
Room/Comfort (rear)

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
5 5 5 4.9

Adult-size headroom and legroom. However, the flat, too-soft seat lacks support. Narrow door openings complicate entry and exit.
Cargo Room

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
8 8 8 8.1

The cargo area is enhanced by available flat-folding front passenger seat. The rear seats fold completely flat. The hard-rubber floor is easy to clean, perfect for carrying dirty, messy cargo. Limited interior storage includes a small center console and tiny door pockets.
Value within Class

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
5 4 5 5.7

Compared to the mechanically similar Jeep Compass, Patriot feels more like an authentic Jeep. Compass and Patriot lack the on-road polish and cabin refinement of other vehicles in this class, but Patriot compensates somewhat with impressive available off-road capability. Most shoppers will be better served by more street-oriented trucks like the Honda CR-V or Suzuki Grand Vitara, the latter of which rivals Patriot's off-road prowess. But as a daily driver ready for the occasional off-road foray, a properly equipped Patriot makes some sense.
Total Score

AWD Sport, CVT AWD Limited, manual AWD Limited w/Off Road Group, CVT Class Average
60 59 58 60.7
Scores for all Compact Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score
42
Average Score
60
High Score
70
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2009 Jeep Patriot Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 04/29/2008
Coming soon. Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Jeep Patriot Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Jeep Patriot 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 103.7
Overall Length, in. 173.6
Overall Width, in. 69.1
Overall Height, in. 65.7
Curb Weight, lbs. 3108
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 62.7
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 13.5
Seating Capacity 5
Front Head Room, in. 41.0
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 40.6
Rear Head Room, in. 39.9
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 39.4
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 dohc I4
Size, liters/cu. in. 2.4 /144 2.0 /122
Horsepower @ rpm. 172 @ 6000 158 @ 6400
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 165 @ 4400 141 @ 5000
Availability Standard Optional
EPA City / highway mpg
   
5-speed manual 22/27 --/--
CVT automatic 21/24 23/27
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Jeep Patriot 4-door wagon
Coming soon. Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Built in: USA
Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
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