2014 Jeep Patriot - Review

The American automobile manufacturing firm, Jeep, has a big name in making Sport Utility Vehicle. It's a unique craftsmanship that the company is carrying forward through generations. Since the Second World War, Jeep has been widely renowned for making 4-wheel-drive off-road vehicles, that can invade to any surface on the earth. Jeep was the primary distributor of SUVs to the US Army during the war. Being treated as the oldest off-road vehicle make, Jeep is never along with its challengers, but ahead of them all.



Variants
The 2014 Patriot is available in both Front Wheel Drive and 4x4 Wheel Drive. Apart from this, the vehicle comes in 3 trims – Sport, Latitude, and Limited



Sport
The Sport model comes in both FWD and 4x4. The FWD variant is powered by a 2.0-Liter I4 DOHC 16-Valve Dual VVT Engine, that delivers a peak power of 158hp @ 6,400 RPM and a peak torque of 141 lb.-ft. @ 5,000 RPM. It's coupled with a 5-Speed manual transmission. While, the Sport 4x4 is coupled with a 2.4-Liter I4 DOHC 16-Valve Dual VVT Engine burning out 172 hp @ 6,000 RPM of power and 165 lb.-ft. @ 4,400 RPM of torque. It has the same 5-speed manual transmission.

Latitude
The mid-range variant is the Latitude. Its FWD model has a 2.0-Liter I4 DOHC 16-Valve Dual VVT Engine delivering 158hp @ 6,400 RPM of power and a peak torque of 141 lb.-ft. @ 5,000 RPM. It is mated with a 5-speed transmission. Meanwhile, the 4x4 comes with 172 hp @ 6,000 RPM of max power and 165 lb.-ft. @ 4,400RPM of max torque. It's the first trim to start with 6-speed automatic transmission.

Limited
The top-end variant under the Patriot brand. Under the hood, a 2.4-Liter I4 DOHC 16-Valve Dual VVT Engine that spells out a tremendous power of 172hp @ 6,000RPM and a stunning torque of 165 lb.-ft. @ 4,400RPM. Its heart is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It's available in both two wheel drive and all wheel drive.



Exterior
The 2014 Patriot is one hell of an off-roader that comes with a traditional boxy shape of a Jeep SUV. Well, this is the true shape of a true SUV. Crafted with rounded Halogen headlamps, body color fascia, fog lamps, roof rails, bright exhaust trip, 16 inch styled steel wheels for the base variants and 17 inch painted cast aluminium wheels for high-ends, the famous seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel well openings, adjustable cross bars, power-heated folding mirrors, and even more stunning stuffs give a dynamic look to the vehicle from all angles



Interior and Features
The US customers never opt for a cheap quality vehicle. Jeep knows it well and they craft things accordingly to the next level of customer expectation. The Patriot allows 5 persons to sit comfortably. The interior quality is extremely good. There is enough room everywhere. It's not that congested. Enabled with soft-touch points, heated front seats, fold-flat passenger seats, chrome accents, luxurious leather trim or premium cloth upholstery, automatic temperature control, illuminated cupholders, steering wheel controls, LED flashlight, power sunroof, Uconnect 430N System with navigation operated with touchscreen for music and all, and Liftgate speakers and sound systems; the Patriot becomes a cool machine in the SUV class.

The vehicle is capable enough to take you to remote. It has a huge luggage space. By lowering the 60/40 split-folding reclining rear seats, you can have a massive 54.2 cubic feet of cargo volume.

However, the Patriot's interior looks outdated. The firm hasn't done any big modification since 2007.



Engine Performance and Riding, Traveling Comfort
It's of course an all weather vehicle. Jeep has provided 2 engines with different wheel-drive options. It has enough power to drift, to climb up hills, to get down the slops, to crossover the stream, and to move through the mud. The driver seat and the front passenger space are blessed with lavish space. Well, coming to the rear row, there is enough space. But, when the front seats are pushed back for more comfort of the occupants, the rear row passengers feel little congested. Still, it's alright.



Mileage
Mileage varies from engine to engine. It is also different for different wheel-drives.

Sport
FWD - 23 city/30 hwy EPA est. MPG
4x4 - 22 city/28 hwy EPA est. MPG

Latitude
FWD - 23 city/30 hwy EPA est. MPG
4x4 - 21 city/27 hwy EPA est. MPG

Limited
FWD - 21 city/28 hwy EPA est. MPG
4x4 - 21 city/27 hwy EPA est. MPG



Verdict
The Patriot might be a great machine for Jeep fanatics. Though, the vehicle is upto the mark, there are something missing with it. The interior certainly needs an update. The pricing of optional engine and cvt variants are too expensive. It offers only limited off-roading. There is no lockable 50:50 torque split and hill descent control as seen in its rival, Hyundai Tucson. Well, the Patriot is something that offers bigger room for both driver and passengers.