The 2009 Jeep Patriot
The Patriot is an
affordable and capable compact sport utility vehicle that features
classic Jeep styling. For 2009, the Patriot receives a
significantly upgraded interior, with improved design and quality of
materials. The Patriot shares its small-SUV platform with the Jeep
Compass but offers off-road capability its sibling
doesn?t. The Jeep Patriot is available in two
trims, Sport and Limited and is available with 2WD or 4WD. The 2009
Jeep Patriot has an estimated fuel economy range of 28 mpg on the
highway and 23 mpg through the city.
The 2009 Patriot has a standard 172-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission; A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is optional. A 158-hp 2.0L engine, available with the CVT only, is available on the FWD Sport trim. For 2009, the Patriot receives new floor and engine compartment insulation as well as a revised exhaust resonator for a quieter ride. Revised suspension tuning also provides a smoother and more comfortable ride. Buyers have three drivelines to choose from: front-wheel drive; Freedom Drive I four-wheel drive with lock mode; and Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package, a Trail-Rated four-wheel-drive system.
The Patriot has an excellent suspension, which makes the ride smooth and controllable. Driving the Patriot gives one confidence, and you always feel stable, even at highway speeds. Whether going over bumps, gravel, or potholes, the Patriots independent suspension can handle everything. Adding the trail-rated Freedom Drive II off-road package to the 2009 Patriot takes it to a whole new level. The package adds one inch to the ground clearance for a total of 9 inches, allowing a 29-degree approach angle, a 33-degree departure angle, a 23-degree breakover angle, and enabling the Patriot to bust through 19 inches of water, that last part thanks to extra body sealing.
The Patriot looks like a Jeep all the way, and better yet is way more stylish than the boxy Commander or the Cherokee. Although, the Jeep Patriot is technically in the ?compact? SUV category, it isn't small at all. It's almost exactly the same size as the Jeep Compass but it looks more rugged, lacking the rounded edges of the Compass.
The cabin of the Patriot is well outfitted, yet simple and easy to navigate. The dashboard and instrument layout in the Patriot is simple, and the gauges are a tidy white on black with glowing orange needles. The climate and sound system controls are easy to understand and operate. Although the Patriot is more than four inches shorter than the redesigned 2007 Honda CR-V, there's nearly an inch more legroom in the rear seat: with a reasonable 39.4 inches. The standard rear seat is a 60/40 split that easily folds flat, by flipping up the seat and flopping down the seatback. Reclining rear seats are optional, as is a flat-folding front seat. The Jeep Patriot gets versatile when the rear and passenger seats are folded flat; you get a spacious 62.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity. With just the rear seats folded, there's still 54.2 cubic feet; and with all the seats in use there's 23.0 feet in the back, good for any compact SUV. The rear cargo area is designed to get dirty and used, it is covered with Ultra Floor, a washable and removable vinyl.
The Jeep Patriot comes in two models, Sport and Limited, with a choice of. The Sport comes standard with vinyl seats, AM/FM/CD/MP3 with four speakers, halogen headlamps, rear wiper, roof rails, fold-flat 60/40 rear seats, and 16-inch steel wheels with all-season tires. The windows, mirrors and door locks are manual.
The
Limited 2WD adds most if not all of the options in the groups, as well
as 17-inch aluminum wheels, foglamps, passenger grab handles, chrome
roofrails and other trim and leather-trimmed seats. For
anyone looking to use the Patriot off the road, they may want to get
the off-road package, which is called Freedom Drive II. This
package model uses the CVT with lower ratios; it adds skid plates, tow
hooks, foglamps, all-terrain tires and a full-size spare tire. The
Freedom II package is available for Sport 4WD and Limited 4WD. Options
for the trail package include a Trailer Tow Prep Group with engine oil
cooler and wiring harness, 6CD with navigation, Yes Essentials seating
material, and 17-inch all-terrain tires ($140).
Safety features include frontal airbags, curtain airbags; electronic stability control, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution.
The 2009 Jeep Patriot. For about $17,000 you get 4WD Jeep capability in a compact SUV with a strong four-cylinder engine that gets an EPA-rated 25/29 mpg doesn't get much better than that. The suspension is superb: stable and comfortable in all situations. Cargo capacity is aided when the passenger seats are folded flat. With a full complement of safety features, it will be hard to find more capability and value for the money. The Patriot can hold a family, or a whole lot of cargo and it is always fun. Visit the official Jeep Patriot site for more details.