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Eric's Autos: Reviewing the 2012 Jeep Patriot

Eric Peters on

WHAT'S GOOD

Four cylinder fuel economy and real off-road capability. Feels solid, looks hunky. Bargain price

WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD

Four cylinder acceleration. Slightly clunky higher-speed handling. Bargain-looking interior. Under-par towing capabilities.

UNDER THE HOOD

The Patriot is a four-cylinder-only deal, like many of the light-duty, less-capable crossovers in this segment such as the Honda CR-V. But you do get a choice of four cylinder engines.

 

The base Patriot is fitted with a 2 liter, 158 hp engine - teamed up with either a five-speed manual transmission or CVT automatic. The upgrade engine - standard in mid-trim Latitude and top-of-theline Limited Patriots - is a 2.4 liter, 172 hp engine that's also available with either transmission. In addition to the engine choices, Patriot prospects also have their choice of drivetrain layouts - three choices, actually:

Standard - and like other compact crossovers - is FWD. So equipped, the Patriot is similar to the Honda CR-V, or the Toyota RAV4 or the Chevy Equinox.

Next up is full-time AWD - Jeep calls this Freedom Drive I. It is also like the AWD systems used in the models mentioned above. Like them, most of the time, most of the engine's power is routed to the front wheels, with power automatically kicked to the rear wheels when the front wheels begin to slip.

The third option is Freedom Drive II - and it is unlike the AWD systems offered in competitor vehicles because it gives you Low range gearing with a 19:1 crawl ratio similar to what you'd find in a traditional (truck-based) 4WD SUV. t is engaged by moving the transmission into L "off road."

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