2.0 CRD Sport 5dr 4 X 4

Good all-rounder with character

Have had this 3 year old 24000 mile diesel for about 3 months now.Also have an old 4.0ltr Cherokee in the same colour(green) that I love to bits.That does 22mpg if Im lucky,the Patriot averages 42. On a run it can better this;it is on a run(motorway etc) that it seems very at home surprisingly. Wind noise/tyre noise & mechanical noise is all good at speed considering it's multipurpose role & brick-like aerodynamics.The long 6th gear helps here too.
It's a marmite car-I thought it ugly when I first saw one-however that turns to character(when many other cars look to be from the same mould) plus I liked the trad Jeep styling cues-many carried over from our old Cherokee.

I drove an identical petrol when buying this-the petrol was quieter,but I felt it hesitant on light throttle in town,& wanted the vastly better economy of the diesel,plus the VAG/VW engine as I am a long time VW fan.Whether the diesel is worth the huge purchase price premium I am not sure-especially with the way derv prices are spiralling at present (Feb 2012).One assumes(hopes!) though the residual value of the diesel model will be better (although I dont imagine depreciation is one of its better virtues) I do like the torque the motor offers though-you can change up early & it just pulls.
What I dont like is the resonance through the body between 2200-2500rpm when laden with passengers on gradients. I drove a 45000miler before buying this one which did this even worse & put me off buying that example.That was a Limited,with the leather trim-the drivers seat had split badly,so Im happy with the cloth in my 'Sport'.
This leads me onto the build quality,which is only average-as others have said,the plastics used are fairly budget,and functional but do mark easily.Mine has had a bad water leak through the rear interior lamp that I hope I have now sorted.These models (& the Compass/Dodge Caliber which share the same chassis)suffer from weak front suspension ball joints-which from a jeep dealer come complete with the lower arm at great expense.Replacement joints are available from ebay suppliers however.Mine has had new lower arms fitted by the Dealer before sale(& its only done 24k remember!).I will also need to get the great looking alloy wheels attended to as the laquer is lifting & corrosion starting,which is a shame.

The driving position is very good.(My previous cars were a Ford S-Max & VW Touran- I like 'sit up & beg'). Mine has the sound upgrade pack & the stereo sounds superb-it even has a sub in the boot which gives a lovely warmth to any music style.It is worth seeking out a car that has this if youre looking to buy.Ironically the Boston sound package deletes the input jack for an ipod that the basic set up has,but I have wired in a proprietary adaptor to overcome this.

Overall,so far very pleased.To summarise,roomy inside with excellent headroom & driving position. Good economy.Flexible engine/nicely chosen gearing.Not used it in the snow yet,(but other feedback is good from those that have).Good on motorway,plus enough grunt for overtaking on A/B roads.Good ride/handles well. Built down to a price though with fairly basic plastics.Plenty of character ,& the Jeep brand- 'The original & best since 1941'
Production set to finish in 2012,with a new Fiat based model expected to replace it,now the Italians have bailed out the ailing Chrysler/Jeep operation.

Report as offensive