2014 JEEP Patriot

Reliability, style, handling

Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 5 Value Rating: 5

2014 Jeep Patriot High Altitude fwd, CVT Automatic w/ Auto-stick (No option for this car on review form) ... Vehicle had one previous owner, with 19,000 miles. Having driven it for 16 months - I recommend this to anyone who wants practicality, good looks and a bit of sophistication .. whether you take road trips with it or not. The worst part of the car, first: the CVT Transmission. This has been replaced on many Chrysler vehicles with a 6-speed auto, because people like to have their car SHIFT - cleanly and with no fuss, to the next gear. The CVT, in normal mode, doesn't really do that ... It has a 'gradual rubber-band' concept .. it slowly expands with acceleration, and contracts ... and does leave a sort of unsatisfying feeling. It's like as you go past 10mph it's gripping the engine too tightly, and doesn't let the power unwind. ... But that's in REGULAR mode -- Chrysler had done a not great job of advertising the Auto-stick feature, and how to use it. - Using the auto-stick, this 2.0 liter engine comes to life! It's good at merging onto the highway -- As you take the brake off and go to turn, onto the entrance ramp, you put the shifter to the right and a gear will appear on the dash (1) ... Then you pop the shifter to the right, repeatedly, as revs signal ... and it gives you all the power you need to get on the freeway! When you hit 6th gear ... then you put to the right and hold it, for 'Drive' - give it some gas and put the cruise control where you want it. It's easy ... and fun! It does mimic a stick-shift ... You basically got 6-speeds built in to the shifter .. but some people don't know it. Even these professional car places, like __, or _&_ apparently just drove it in 'auto' mode, and claimed 0-60 mph in freakin' 10.7 seconds or something. I assure you the High Altitude can get to 60 mph quicker than that. Normal leisurely driving around town, doing errands, with the trans in normal auto mode you go just fine. The trans is a bit loud, and so is the whole powertrain, but the " professional " reviewers don't understand a lot of people don't care about that. ... This car has the upgraded stereo - with the sun and sound package (including awesome moonroof) .. Uconnect center, to hook up your smart phone and have hands-free communication ... and Sirius Satellite Radio! Bad-a__. ... It's got leather seats, 17inch tires and awesome Mineral Grey rims. As well as the beautiful gun-metal Maximum Steel exterior paint, the sheer amount of stuff in this car really surprised me. My wife loves it. On the highway heavy wind doesn't really bother it - The suspension takes curves with aplomb, and the Patriot never feels tippy. Brakes feel solid, and safe. Cruising between 70-75 mph (Jeep has excellent Overdrive) I've gotten a decent 28mpg highway. The inside really is flat-out luxury - Really cold a/c, with 360-degree vent control ... cool lighted cup-holders ... and heated leather seats, for cold winter days. The 2.0 liter multi-valve motor isn't a torque monster, but if you rev it it will go, on the highway ... And (using the Auto-stick, and 89 Octane gas) it will keep up with any four, and many V6s, off the stoplight to about 50 mph. I don't understand other people's reviews different places saying this vehicle with the 2.0 is slow ... They're not. Maybe they don't know how to use the Auto-stick. You've got 158 horsepower .. And they're ALL THERE. (unlike many import small SUVs' hp rating) .... The thing I like best is the ride - It's a good combination of taut but comfortable. After many thousand miles the High Altitude is a great experience, for my wife {and occasionally me} ... All in all a satisfying purchase :-)