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Patriots: Pros/Cons

9K views 22 replies 11 participants last post by  aroundincircles 
#1 ·
I'm going to be looking for a different Jeep to replace my '02 Liberty in a couple of years (2016 probably). I know this seems early to start researching, but I like knowing what I'm getting into. I'm a square Jeep person - first Jeep was an '01 Cherokee Sport, so I'm not really interested in the Compass or a Grand. We already had a ZJ, anyway. We also own a '95 YJ that we take on local trails and geocache with.

Are Patriots reliable? I don't care much about gas mileage - I only drive 6 miles or so a day to work. How are the 4x4 systems? Are they good in the snow? I live in West Michigan, so being good in the deep snow matters to me. My Liberty does pretty good. What do you like best about your Patriot? What do you like least? Would you buy another one? Why or why not?

Thanks in advance. I may be getting something sooner rather than later - my Lib has over 200,000 on her now, so we'll see how long she goes. :)
 
#2 ·
The MK platform (shared by the patriot/compass) are very reliable. Whether you get the manual, cvt, 6 speed auto. 4x4 system is a front wheel based system. its reliable, and very effective, in snow and off road. I like its shape, and find it very comfortable. Many people say that their patriot is the best snow vehicle they've owned (even compared to wranglers that they own)

My biggest gripes of my patriot would be the gas tank, its only 13 gallons, which is a bit too small. 15-18 would have been more appropriate, and tire options in OE sizes.
 
#3 ·
Okay, good to know. We were recently at the big car show in Grand Rapids, and I sat in the 2014 Patriot. I liked it better than the new Trailhawk, which is, in my maybe not so humble opinion, NOT A CHEROKEE :( I like the look of the Patriots, and the size is nice. Thanks for responding :)
 
#4 ·
I have a 2013 2wd Patriot Latitude with the CVT that I've owned since last December (2012). I bought it new and it now has over 43,000 as I travel a lot for business so I feel I can give a pretty solid review of it.

I really like it but do have a few things I wish I could improve on it. The gas tank is annoyingly tiny. You can only get about 230-250 miles on it max but much more comfortable to stay around 200 miles.

Mine has the 2.0L engine as I wanted the best MPG I could get. It averages around 23-25 MPG depending on how you drive and where. It could really use about another 50hp or so as going up hills or passing makes the little guy have to scream to the 5,000 plus RPM mark. The transmission is a little slushy in my opinion but the manual shift works quite nicely.

I also wish they would have added lumbar support to the driver's seat but that's just me. I know it comes on the limited but didn't want leather seats. Mine does have heated seats which are wonderful! Also mine has satellite radio and Bluetooth which both work quite well. The stereo is pretty decent sounding for a stock system.

The oil is easy to change on it and the tires have held up pretty well even though about a week ago I got a rock break in a rear one that couldn't be repaired.

In the ice and snow it does pretty well. I've gotten around 8 inches in the last week and it goes through it without much drama. Mine is only 2wd so it does spin the tires to get going sometimes but that's just normal. It also does well in freezing rain and ice. The remote start is wonderful btw to defrost the windows!

Going around the farm it has been through pretty sticky mud quite impressively for being 2wd. It hasn't got stuck yet on anything.

It has driven everywhere from wheat fields to corn fields to muddy roads to city streets to interstate highway. I drive it hard, fast, and without a lot of mercy everyday of the week. So far I've not had anything go wrong with it other than the tire and a light dimmer that got repaired under warranty.

Hope that helps you out and feel free to ask any questions.:thumbsup:

Here is a picture of Mel (that's his name):
 

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#5 ·
I have an 06 Wrangler and I bought the wife a 13 Patriot 4wd. She loves it, I enjoy driving it and it is practicle for her uses: to/from work and hauling 1-5 dogs around. Put about 20K on it in the first year. She hates parking in confined spaces and she loves the tight turn radius on it. 4x4 is easy to use on these and works great. We are in WA and get snow often, she hasn't had any issues (unlike her 96 continental which she slid into a curb and jacked up 2 wheels)
 
#6 ·
Well so far I'm definitely liking what I'm hearing :) One reason I asked about the Patriots is based on looks - I just like the squareness :) SlowCrawler, LOVE Mel :) I asked this same question on the Commander forum, and so far, not too many have anything good to say about it. We don't have very many Patriots up this way, so I don't get to see them that often (or Commanders). How are the Patriots as far as maintenance? Do they seem to need quite a bit? My '02 Liberty rarely needs anything other than general maintenance, ie brakes, oil changes, etc. His heater is starting to go - I don't get much anymore, so that's going to have to get fixed. My hubby is quite mechanical, so he usually fixes all our vehicles. Is there much room in the back seat? My sixth grade son is almost as tall as me, and he'll probably be quite a bit taller by the time we start looking....do you feel squished in the back seat? Is there enough leg room?

I appreciate everyone letting me know what they think. Vehicles are expensive and I want one that fits me and my family, and won't be a hassle. Thanks again :)
 
#7 ·
Maintenance wise I've not done anything other than regular oil changes, fixed one flat, replaced one tire (I drive dirt roads a fair amount), and fixed a cracked windshield which is now cracked again. Oh and under warranty the headlight dimmer switch stopped working but that was an easy fix for the dealership.

The back seat is pretty roomy and back of the seat is adjustable tilt wise. I've ridden back there coming back from Dallas which is 6 hours and felt pretty comfortable. We had three of us in the car, all packed in business clothes and such when we went there and everyone was comfy. One of the guys is like 6' 3" and he never complained about being cramped up.:)
 
#8 ·
Only needed to do routine oil chenge, etc.... Back seat has plenty of room (although ours are foldeed down mostly for the dogs with an awesome Canvasback cover to protect). I don't think you will be disappointed with a Patriot. I did my research before getting the wife hers and it is well worth it.
 
#9 ·
I definitely like what I've heard about them. And it would fit in the garage next to the hubby's big old Silverado better than a Commander, too, which is the other Jeep I have been looking at. Haven't heard a lot of good about those. Are the Patriots pretty peppy? Everything I've seen for sale around our area has a 4 cylinder, which after having had sixes, I'm not excited about. I am, admittedly, a lead foot. When I put my foot down, I expect my ride to go :) What engine would you recommend?
 
#10 ·
Well I don't have the Patriot but I have the Compass but they share the same engine. I went from driving a 6-Chevy Equinox to driving the Compass 2.4 engine. I've had my Compass since September and I'm quite happy with the way the engine handles. We got a lot of snow last night and today so I'll find out how my Compass goes in deep snow but so far the 4x4 has been great. I had a very hard time choosing between the Patriot and the Compass it was so close and its my first Jeep as well. I think you'll love the Patriot.
 
#12 ·
We'll be looking at used. I'd like to stay around the $11-12,000 mark. The Pats I've seen used run right in that amount. We won't be looking for at least another year, hopefully - I'm hoping my Liberty goes a little longer. We just bought my hubby's 2006 Silverado and don't want two payments. I have to admit, I wasn't too impressed with the Patriots until I started this conversation. I work with another "Jeep girl" who's thinking of one to replace her '97 Cherokee Sport.
 
#16 ·
If you've had older Jeeps and if you get lake effect snow in Michigan like we do in upstate NY, then you may be surprised to learn that you may need to buy 4 snow tires for the Patriot. We've had 5 Jeeps and never bought snow tires. We now have a Patriot with the Freedom Drive II off-road package and had to buy 4 brand-new Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter tires because the Wranglers don't work well on this vehicle. It now handles ALMOST as well as a Liberty or the old Cherokees. You may also be surprised to learn that a Patriot with Freedom Drive II gets nearly the same mileage as a Liberty with a 3.7 litre V6. We get 17-20MPG with the 4 cylinder.

I like the Patriot, but it's just not like the old Jeeps when there's about a foot of snow out there. We only get about 200 miles on a tank of gas, so sometimes we really miss the old Jeeps. However, the 2011 Patriot is very reliable. I do all the maintenance myself and we've never taken it back to the dealer for anything.

By the way, the Freedom Drive II package includes the oil cooler and the trailer wiring harness.
 
#17 ·
I just got a '14 Patriot Latitude FDII on Saturday. This is my 12th Jeep and just traded in a ZJ 5.9. While the new Patriot has no where near the "get up and go" of a big v8 like the ZJ had, it's not that bad for a 4cyl, small SUV. I parked my ZJ beside the Patriot and the wheel base is almost the exact same and overall, the Patriot is shorter in the rear, which explains the smallish cargo area. For my purposes as a daily driver, hauling my 2 kids and the occasional off road excursion, it seems to be a good choice. Would've liked a JKU Rubicon, but the bank account told me no... It'll be nice not to be at the gas station as often and not listen to the clunks, creaks and moans of my old Jeep.
 
#18 ·
I'm in the same locale as you, march, and my wife's 2014 Patriot Latitude with 6spd. and stock 215/60-17 Firestone Affinity tires (less than 5K miles) has been unstoppable here this winter. I have no prior Jeep experience to compare to though.

I ordered my 2014 Latitude FDII at the end of February and it is due to be delivered 03 April. I plan to keep the Wranglers on through next winter. My wife's Patriot has proven to be incredible this winter such that I have given up shoveling our 125' steeply inclined driveway! I will be getting dedicated winter wheels and tires for my wife's Pat for next winter, however, probably 215/65-17 Michelin X-Ice3 or 225/65-17 Blizzaks, as I hear the Affinity is not so good after a few thousand miles and she will be doing longer commutes between here and Hamilton, NY. The winter after that, I may join her with a dedicated winter wheel/tire setup, probably Blizzaks as well.

OP, my wife was skeptical about the Pat after reading the BS tripe some "reports" put out, often just repeating tired old reviews from the early Pat days, but after driving it, she absolutely loves it with our family of four, two little ones safely and comfortably in the back seat, in a region that tops the Golden Snowball city charts each year.
 
#20 ·
I'll use the autostick for a quicker take off.
On a side note I'm taking my '13 Pat Lat to a dealer tomorrow to attempt to get to the bottom of my rear and front creaks. It sounds to me like suspension issues but I can't tell if I got bum shocks or struts. Disappointing to say the least after 11 months.
 
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