Available Equipment In The 2016 Jeep Patriot Will Take You Where Other Small Crossovers Won’t But Its Dated Cabin Design Keeps It From Feeling As Smart As It Could Be
The 2016 Jeep Patriot may be somewhat overshadowed by the larger Cherokee and smaller Renegade modelsboth of far newer, with far superior packagingbut it’s worth considering if cost-conscious transportation is one of your top priorities.
The Patriot lands in an intriguing middle ground between mainstream compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, or Toyota RAV4, and some of the smaller models such as the Kia Soul, Honda HR-V, Nissan Juke, or Chevrolet Trax.
While the original Patriot was something of a disasterthink loud, sluggish, and austereJeep has found ways to make this vehicle a far better, more appealing vehicle. Today, it offers a sensibly sized package that combines macho Jeep lines with enough softness and civility to make it practical family transport. It may not be the newest or best-equipped, but there’s a lot to like regardless.
From a design standpoint, it offers what the Subaru Forester has in its past iterations. The boxy, trim, bold exterior yields a tremendously useful interior, with good cargo space, and rear seatbacks that flip forward easily to make more room. Weve found entry and exit very easy, thanks to the tall roofline, with plenty of headroom front and backalthough the one surprise is that the seating position is lower than expected, with the dash rather high and enveloping.
Pain Points Jeep Patriot Reviews
If youve guessed that water leak is what customers frequently complain about, youre right. The Jeep Patriot is a Jeep, after all its off-road design simply makes it prone to water buildup. In no way am I recommending shrugging this off. But to be fair with the manufacturer, this one area of flaw should not encompass peoples perception of the Jeep Patriots reliability.
Concurrently, knowledge of the Patriots trouble spots is something consumers should be made aware of. This information is crucial to making well-thought buying decisions. Ultimately, a healthy level of transparency would rarely fail at converting a cheapskate into a consumer willing to take reasonable risks to own a decent, budget-friendly reliable vehicle.
The table below shows the Jeep Patriots top five issues based on 790 customer complaints received by CarComplaints.com:
Worst Issue | ||
---|---|---|
2015 Patriot water leaks into interior | Electrical | 2012 |
The biggest problem category for Jeep Patriot is body/paint problems followed by water leaks. According to Patriot owners, body/paint problems occurred starting at 16,000 miles. Additionally, Jeep savants stay wary of the 2011 Jeep Patriot due to reported higher repair costs and problems at lower mileage.
Besides the most-complained issues you see above, here are other reasons that steered consumers away from the Patriot towards its competition:
Used 2016 Jeep Patriot Pricing
The 2016 Jeep Patriot has an alluring Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price just over $18,000, making it the least expensive new SUV, but youll have to forgo such comforts as power windows and air conditioning. Better-equipped versions run in the $20,000 range, and a Latitude model with the High Altitude package can bump $30,000. At these prices, most Patriot models still undercut the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Subaru Forester, but those rivals are newer and generally more appealing. Still, theres no denying that the Patriot is an inexpensive SUV to buy and own, and its just coming off a win for the Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Award in the Compact SUV/Crossover category. Be sure to check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for their new Jeep Patriot. Long-term residual value is another aspect in which the Patriot lags competitors.
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Things To Love About The Jeep Patriot
Whether you love the Jeep brand or you simply love the aggressive and sporty styling of the 2016 Jeep Patriot, there are a lot of reasons why this vehicle is such a popular choice among car shoppers for 2016. Seating for five passengers and convenient interior features come together to make for an exciting drive, wherever you go.
Great fuel economy ratings make the Jeep Patriot a great choice for daily commuters or weekend adventures. Long road trips for a short stop across town are both comfortable and exciting with a variety of safety, convenience, and technology features. Learn more about it here.
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Jeep Patriot Off Road Capability
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Ranked as the number one most affordable SUV on the market in 2014 by Kelly Blue Book, the Jeep Patriot is known for its price point and prestigious name brand. It has also won the 2007 Green 4×4 Award and the 2008 4×4 of the Year in the UK. But apart from its low cost of ownership, superior engine performance, and Jeep DNA, this compact crossover is also famous for its off-roading capabilities, which this article will further explore.
The Jeep Patriot is remarkable off-road. Its proven ability to handle various tracks and adverse conditions has earned it its Trail Rating badge. Plus, its two engine options and 4WD systems provide excellent traction control and a 19:1 crawl ratio.
Despite its underrated status, this 2-in-1 SUV is still one of the best options out there when purchasing used vehicles. Not quite convinced? Let this article persuade you with information on the Patriots history, specs and features, off-roading mods, and more.
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The 2016 Jeep Patriot Is A Good Value For The Money Although You’ll Pay A Lot Of Extra Money To Get The Trail Rated Badge
The 2016 Patriot is offered in a reduced number of trims than before. It’s now only available in Sport and Latitude models, but with a reasonably wide range of options and packages instead of multiple trims with varying features.
At the base Sport level, the Patriot includes cruise control, roof rails, fog lamps, illuminated cupholders, rear-seat heater ducts, tilt steering, cruise control, tinted glass, and an auxiliary input for audio. Air conditioning remains optional, which is likely part of the reason why the base price lands around $18,000.
The Jeep Patriot Sport now, for 2016, also offers telematics, satellite radio, and automatic headlamps as standard features.
The Altitude package is mostly cosmetic, adding a blacked-out exterior and wheels, as well as cloth/vinyl upholstery. Latitude models step up to air conditioning, power windows and locks, power heated mirrors, keyless entry, front heated cloth seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a 115-volt power plug, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
The High Altitude package nets some of what was included with the top Limited modelincluding leather seats, a power driver’s seat, a sunroof, and Granite Crystal painted 17-inch wheels. Or separately, a Power Value Group adds to the base Sport some convenience items such as keyless entry, power heated mirrors, power windows and locks, and automatic headlamps.
Maneuverability Is Excellent And So Is The Patriot’s True Trail Rated Ability But The Rest Of It Is Unremarkable
The 2016 Jeep Patriot drives a bit more like a budget-conscious small sedan or hatchback than you might expect and there’s a good and bad side to that from a performance standpoint.
The base engine for the Patriot is a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline-4, while top Latitude modelsand any version equipped with all-wheel drivecome standard with a 172-hp, 2.4-liter version. A 5-speed manual gearbox is standard on the Sport, while the 6-speed automatic is offered across the lineup and a continuously variable transmission is bundled with Freedom Drive II.
The 2016 Jeep Patriot was made a much better vehicle a couple of years back, when for most of the model line its mediocre CVT was replaced by a responsive, smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission for most of the model line.
There are three different drive systems for the Patriot, which helps explain why the CVT is still on board. If you have snowy winters to navigate or plan to do some light off-roading, youll want the available Freedom Drive I system, which is pretty standard, but includes a locking center differential. There you get the 6-speed automatic . But the Freedom Drive II system is hardier and includes low range for real off-road conditions. It’s the only Patriot that earns a Trail Rated badge, and is accompanied by other upgrades like additional skid plates.
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Patriot New Car Test Drive
Introduction
As the boxiest member of the lineup, the Jeep Patriot has aged reasonably well. Open the door, though, and it’s evident that the stark interior has become quite dated since its debut as a 2007 model, followed by freshening for 2011. Compared to the far newer Cherokee and Renegade, the Jeep Patriot seems like a relic of the past.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for moderately priced transportation and don’t crave the latest equipment, this comparative old-timer still has a lot to offer.
In urban environments, the Patriot promises easy maneuverability. If an off-road journey lies in your future, this upright-stance Jeep can deliver authentic rural capabilities.
The original Patriot was noisy, austere, and sluggish on the road. Since then, Jeep has managed to enhance its appeal. Today, in the twilight of its lifespan, the sensible-size Patriot melds rugged Jeep lines with civility, resulting in a practical family transporter.
That boxy, still-bold exterior contains a highly useful interior, yielding ample cargo space. Rear seatbacks flip forward easily. Getting in and out is especially easy, helped by the Patriot’s high roofline. In both front and rear, passengers enjoy abundant headroom. Oddly, the seating position is somewhat low, facing a rather tall, encompassing dashboard.
Lineup
Safety equipment includes electronic stability control with roll mitigation, front side airbags, and side-curtain bags.
Walkaround
Interior
Driving Impression
Summary
Jeep Patriot: Problems Fuel Economy Pros And Cons 4wd System Photos
Jeep Patriot Problems:YouTube videohow to check fuses in a carthreadvideosthreadvideosrepair options for Check Engine light problemsvideoEngine:Timing belt or chain:Fuel Economy:23 mpg30 mpg23/27 mpg22/26 mpg21/27 mpgMechanical:How capable is the Jeep Patriot 4WD system?Pros: Cons: Similar cars:Ford Escape 2013-2019 reviewOverall: Pros and cons of a CVT transmission
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The Patriot’s Design Still Looks Rugged And Restrained In All The Right Ways But With The Renegade In The Stable It’s A Little More Dated
The 2016 Jeep Patriot is a boxy, city-sized crossover that’s thick in Jeep design heritage, borrowing some design cues from the Wrangler in front, as well as some of the slab-sided side styling of the old Cherokee and Wagoneer models.
Up until now it’s been the most traditional model in Jeep’s lineup to some eyes, while others see it as more stylishit’s all in the eye of the beholder. Yet there’s no denying that the boxy exterior creates lots of usable interior space.
From the outside, there’s a lot to like in the Patriot, with proportions and sheet metal that are squared-off but not too refrigerator-like, as well as detailing that keeps it simple but purposeful. With details like the Jeep seven-slot grille and chunky door handles, there’s just enough softness and civility blended in with the right amount of macho.
For this year, there’s a bit of an elephant in the room, and that’s the Jeep Renegade, which starts at a price not much higher than the Patriot. Also boxy, and in some respects nearly the same size as the Patriot, the Renegade seems to make a bit better use of the same space and the Renegade does away with any of the Patriot’s niggling cheapness in the details and buttons.
There’s one other visual change for 2016: a new exterior color, Mojave Sand.
End Of Life For The Off Road Jeep Patriot
FCA phased out the Jeep Patriot in 2017 to make way for the 2nd generation Jeep Compass. It was very timely indeed, as the Patriot and Compass models had been around for quite a long time that these models started to feel lackluster. The replacement Jeep model was fondly called the Compatriot before its official release and was a snug fit between the Renegade and Cherokee.
Despite the end of life for both the Patriot and Compass models, these cars still dominate the used vehicle segment in the U.S. and other countries this leaves consumers a difficult choice between the two when buying a quality, pre-loved vehicle. Choosing one over the other depends on your preference as a consumer.
The Patriot and Compass ride on the same platform, so the difference between the two is close to negligible. Both these models even tap on the Freedom Drive II for their off-roading credibility.
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Driving The Used 2016 Jeep Patriot
Jeeps have a long history of favoring off-road capability over on-road comfort. Most models of the Patriot, though, dont stand out in either setting. Yes, you can get a Patriot that is Trail-Rated to slog through mud, snow and up to 19 inches of water, but to do so you must option up to the Freedom Drive II package. On the asphalt where most Patriots will roam, Jeeps least expensive SUV is simply outclassed by newer rivals that offer better performance, handling, ride quality and fuel economy. Neither of the Patriots available 4-cylinder engines feels very strong, and the CVT transmission does more for fuel economy than it does for performance, although the optional 6-speed automatic improves the latter. Highway ride and handling are okay, as long as you dont compare the Patriot to a more refined small SUV of which there are plenty.
Exterior Design And Lighting
With a length of 173.8 inches, the 2016 Jeep Patriot is at least 4 inches longer than all of the mainstream subcompact crossovers, including the Jeep Renegade, Honda HR-V and Chevy Trax, but stops short of the Compass by 1.3 inches. And though the Patriot and Compass are so close in length, there’s no mistaking them on the road. Unlike the somewhat curvy exterior of the Compass, the Patriot relies on a more angular, upright look for an obvious family resemblance to the rugged Jeep Wrangler. Its especially true at the front, where the Patriot and Wrangler share prominent grille bars and round headlights, the Patriot with standard halogen headlamps and front fog lights.
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Interior Design And Capacities
The 2016 Jeep Patriot also satisfies customer demand for maximum cargo space. Just compare it to subcompact rivals such as the Chevy Trax or Mazda CX-3. With all seats in use, there’s 18.7 cubic feet of rear storage in the Trax, and a bare 12.4 in the CX-3 the rear cargo hold in the Patriot can hold 23 cubic feet of gear. The Patriot also leads those more expensive rivals for overall cargo capacity by more than 10 and 20 percent, respectively, with 53.5 cubic feet. Additionally, though the Patriots passenger space isnt quite as modern as some of its non-Jeep competition, it can be roomier, with unmatched front and rear headroom measurements of 41 and 39.9 inches.
Jeep Patriot Off Roading
Here are four off-road tips on how to fully equip your Jeep Patriot for some off-roading fun:
- A Jeeps approach angle plays a big part in its off-road capability. The best way to improve this is by doing a lift or adding a skid plate, installing bigger mud-terrain tires, and getting a Jeep Patriot off road bumper .
- If you dont want enormous tires, consider replacing your stock tires with a good set of Jeep Patriot off road tires. Airing them down 12-15 psi also helps with traction when driving on muddy forest tracks.
- Adding a roof-mounted fog light assembly makes night camping more thrilling. It can also substitute for a bonfire if you do not have planks of wood nearby.
- You may want better fuel mileage when riding on forest trails and fields, but turning off your Traction Control will not help you in this area. It is a safety feature meant to keep your vehicle upright and on course in the event of slippage and is best left alone.
Whichever year model of the Jeep Patriot you have, these recommendations will improve your cars off-roading characteristics. Note that these are not exhaustive there are plenty of Jeep Patriot off road parts that you can install on your Pattie to turn it into a trail monster.
If you want to get the best out of this vehicle, experts recommend buying a 2017 Patriot it already comes equipped with modern tech that is absent from the earlier models.
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For Those Who Prioritize The Latest Safety Features The Patriot Isn’t The Way To Go
The 2016 Jeep Patriot is built on a structure that’s now 10 years old, and during that time crash standards have changed.
So it’s not surprising that the Patriot doesn’t do well in either of the two U.S. crash-test programs.
In federal testing, the Patriot received four out of five stars for overall safety, and that includes an especially worrisome three-star score in frontal crash and rollover safety. In testing by the IIHS, the Patriot earns top “Good” results in most categories, yet it has a “Poor” rating in that agency’s tougher new small-overlap frontal test.
In all fairness, considering the age of the Patriot means, it wasn’t designed with this test in mind but it serves to underscore how some of the other models in its class will be safer in certain kinds of accidents.
Outward visibility is excellent in the Patriota function of its boxy body and plenty of glassand a rearview camera system is now available on both trim levels.
Safety equipment includes electronic stability control with roll mitigation, front side airbags, and side-curtain bags, as well as off-road brake traction control and hill descent control for models with four-wheel drive. What’s missing here, however, is any sort of front crash prevention system, or any other systems to help with blind spot vision or lane markings.