Meet the New Jeep Patriot

Practically unchanged from the concept introduced at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Jeep Patriot made its global debut as a production vehicle, the newest entry-level SUV in Jeep’s lineup, at the 2006 New York International Automobile Show. The new Patriot arrives just three months after the debut at the 2006 NAIAS of another entry-level SUV from Jeep, the Compass. Both the Compass and the Patriot share a platform with the Dodge Caliber.

While the Compass looks more like a conventional SUV with a Jeep grille, the Patriot is more akin to the traditional Jeep design with elements of the original Jeep Cherokee evident. These include the square-ish lines, short overhangs and the trademark seven-slot Jeep grille. Also, the Patriot has already earned is ‘Trail Rated’ badge, unlike the Compass, because of its higher ground clearance and 4WD system.


The new Patriot will come with three available configurations: the standard front-wheel drive and two four-wheel drive systems (Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II). These drive systems make the Patriot a true off-road vehicle with its features such as added traction, continuously variable transmission with a low range capability, higher ground clearance, 17-inch all terrain tires and aluminum wheels, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lights, body sealing, etc.

Freedom II makes the Patriot at par with Jeep’s off-road capability prerequisites for water fording, traction, articulation, ground clearance and maneuverability. The Jeep Patriot will be powered by a 2.4 liter World Engine with variable valve timing and with an output of 172hp, and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. The Patriot will be arriving at dealerships later this year with an entry-level sticker price at under $16,000.