Jeep Patriot

Jeep Patriot

Manufacturer	Jeep (Chrysler)
Also called	Jeep Liberty (in Russia)
Production	2006 — present
Model years	2007 — present
Assembly	United States: Belvidere, Illinois, (Belvidere Assembly)
Class	Compact Crossover SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler PM/MK platform
Engine	2.0 L GEMA I4 (gasoline) 2.0 L VW I4 (t/c diesel) 2.2 L OM651 I4 (t/c diesel) 2.4 L GEMA I4 (gasoline)
Transmission	5-speed Magna T355 manual 6-speed Aisin BG6 manual (Diesel only) 6-speed Hyundai 6F24 automatic CVT Jatco JF011E automatic
Wheelbase	103.7 in (2,634 mm)
Length	173.6 in (4,409 mm)
Width	69.1 in (1,755 mm)
Height	2007–09: 64.4 in (1,636 mm) 2010–present: 65.7 in (1,669 mm)
Related	Mitsubishi Lancer Jeep Compass Dodge Caliber Mitsubishi Outlander Chrysler Sebring Dodge Avenger Chrysler Sebring (convertible)

The Jeep Patriot (MK74) is a compact crossover SUV introduced in early 2007 for the 2007 model year by the Jeep marque of Chrysler. It debuted publicly in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show and slots between the Compass and Liberty in the Jeep lineup. Market-wise, it is the least-expensive SUV in North America and one of the lowest priced SUV-standard crossovers up to date.

Design

Rear

The Compass and Patriot are both based on the DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi GS platform. These vehicles are differentiated by their styling and marketing: The Patriot is a traditional four-door Jeep wagon, similar to the Cherokee, which was discontinued in the U.S. in 2001, while the Jeep Compass is intended as a sporty crossover, but with more capacity to handle rough roads and poor weather than competitors like the Pontiac Vibe. The Dodge Caliber, also based on the GS platform, is a more direct competitor to the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, and is more like a small hatchback than either of the Jeeps. The Patriot is manufactured at Chrysler's Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant alongside the Dodge Caliber and Compass.

In the U.S. the Patriot uses either the 2.0 L or 2.4 L GEMA gasoline I4 engine. Both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available. The Patriot features two four-wheel drive systems both of which are electronically controlled. The basic four-wheel drive system is called Freedom Drive I. This system is a full-time four-wheel drive system with locking capability. The other system, called Freedom Drive II, is based on Freedon Drive I, but by using the vehicle's CVT transmission it is capable of a 19:1 gear reduction simulating a low-range usually found in vehicles with dedicated transfer cases. The 2.4 L GEMA I4 is an option for the 4X2 model Patriot.

For Europe and Australia a 2.0 L (1968 cc; 120 cid; 140ps) Volkswagen-manufactured diesel engine is fitted along with a 6-speed manual gearbox. All EU cars are fitted as standard with four wheel drive and a version of the Freedom Drive System which tuned differently from the U.S. versions, but with similar capability to FDII with brake traction control and three switchable electronic stability control and traction control settings for on or off-road use.

The Patriot won 2007 Green 4x4 Award and the 2008 4x4 of the Year in the UK.

Models

The Patriot is offered in three distinct models:

Sport:

-Manual Roll-Up Windows and Manual Door Locks -Vinyl-Wrapped Steering Wheel and Dual-Note Horn -Cruise Control -Anti-Theft Ignition -Vinyl (Later Cloth) Seating Surfaces -Manual Front Bucket Seats -Folding Rear Bench Seat -Heater and Fan Blower -2.0L I4 Engine (4X2) or 2.4L I4 Engine (4X4) -5-Speed Manual Transmission -Tinted Windows -16" All-Season Tires -16" Styled Steel Wheels -A/M-F/M Stereo w/ Single-Disc CD Player (Later CD-MP3 Player) and Four Speakers

Latitude:

-Power Windows w/ One-Touch Driver's Auto Down Feature and Power Door Locks -SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio -Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel -Keyless Entry w/ Panic Feature and Security System -Cloth Seating Surfaces -Air Conditioning w/ Manual Control -17" All-Season Tires -17" Alloy Wheels

Limited:

-Cloth (Later Leather) Seating Surfaces -Power Front Driver's Seat -Power Sunroof -U Connect Hands-Free Bluetooth Telephone System

For 2011 only, a 70TH Anniversary Edition model, based on the Sport model, was offered to commemorate Jeep's 70TH anniversary. It added special Olive or Beige interior colors, special alloy wheels, a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with subwoofer and fold-down lift gate speakers, SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, heated front seats, and other desirable features. This model was available starting in May of 2011, with production winding down in October of 2011.

For 2012 only, an Altitude Edition model, based once again on the Sport model, was offered. It offered a black leather interior, special black-finished alloy wheels, a nine-speaker sound system, SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and black-painted exterior accents. This model started production in May of 2012, and was only available for a few months. It was discontinued in early fall 2012.

Finally, for 2013, a Freedom Edition model, based on the Sport model, was offered to commemorate Jeep's commitment to the U.S. Army and military, as well to commemorate all of the soldiers who have served. It has a special star hood decal, power leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio, and dark-finished alloy wheels. This model is slated to be available in the fall of 2012 as an early 2013 model year vehicle, and will offer special and exclusive Commando Green Metallic exterior paint. This exterior paint color will not be available on any other 2013 Jeep Patriot, making the color unique.

Off-roading capabilities

The Freedom Drive II-equipped Patriot uses a continuously variable transmission with a low range instead of a traditional two-speed transfer case, but has Jeep's "Trail Rated" badging, signifying that it "has been designed to perform in five categories of off-road conditions: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording." The Freedom Drive II Patriot is among the most off-road-capable vehicles in its class, in part due to specialized anti-lock braking technology that Jeep describes as 'Brake Lock Differential'. This allows the vehicle to maintain forward motion if one or two wheels lose traction by selectively and aggressively applying brakes to the spinning wheels. This is an improvement over other conventional on-road orientated AWD system; a vehicle intended for on-road use with open differentials only would be stranded if there was a loss of traction in one front and one rear wheel at the same time. The BLD is also standard in The Freedom Drive I, although it is less aggressive than the BLD found in Freedom Drive II Patriots. options.

Model	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
Sport	2.4 L GEMA I4	172 hp (128 kW)	165 lb·ft (224 N·m)	5-speed manual
Limited				CVT

Electric version

At the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Jeep Patriot was added to Chrysler's ENVI lineup. As with the previously announced Jeep Wrangler EV, the Jeep Patriot EV is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV, also called a plug-in hybrid vehicle), capable of traveling 40 miles (64 km) solely on battery power and up to 400 miles (640 km) on a single tank of gas.

However, Chrysler's new partner Fiat SpA disbanded the ENVI division in November 2009, and removed the three ENVI models from its 5-year plan for Chrysler. There have been no announced plans to continue with the electric version.

2011

The Patriot received minor upgrades for 2011. Outside, the Patriot sports minor styling tweaks while the interior receives upgrades as well. Three trims are offered in the US: Sport, Latitude, and Latitude X.

In the EU, four trims are offered: Sport, Sport Plus, Limited, and an Overland version. In the EU market, the 2.0 L Volkswagen PD Diesel Engine has been replaced by a 2.2 L Mercedes-Benz Twin-Cam Common Rail Diesel engine delivering 163 hp (122 kW).

Safety

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

IIHS scores

Moderate overlap frontal offset	Good
Small overlap frontal offset	Poor
Side impact	Good*
Roof strength	Good

*2007-2013 models with additional optional side airbags. Models without additional optional side air bags were rated Marginal.

NHTSA

2007-2010 Patriot NHTSA scores

Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
4x2 Rollover:
4x4 Rollover:

2013 Patriot NHTSA scores

Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover:

Sales

Calendar Year	United States	Canada	Total
2007	40,434
2008	55,654
2009	31,432
2010	38,620	10,753	49,373
2011	54,647
2012	62,010

External links

• Official site
• Jeep Patriot Debut at Geneva Motor Show
• Jeep Patriot Review Off Road Test
• Technical description of the Freedom Drive 4WD system