The groans echoed all over the trails when Jeep dropped the original Cherokee in favor of the more contemporary, more upright Liberty. Not to criticize the lure and success of the Liberty, which is a capable performer in its own right.
But the simple, boxy no-nonsense Cherokee (RIP 1984-2001) had its fans and suddenly there was this adorable, bug-eyed thing, America’s first cute-ute.
Well, Jeep has expanded its line again and this time there’s something for those who still yearn for that Cherokee. It’s name is the Patriot, brother to the kinder, gentler Jeep Compass. Sort of his-and-hers Jeeps: The Compass, with softer lines and slightly less capable than her tougher bro, and the Patriot, with a striking resemblance to the old Cherokee and ready to rough it.
Jeep confirms that women outnumber men in Compass sales this year, as expected, and men outnumber women for the Patriot.
Sporting the Jeep signature seven-slot grille and the sort of squared off panels and near-upright windshield, the Patriot shows strong kinship with the old Cherokee. And it boasts best-in-class off-road capability (surely Jeep has no intention of letting anyone dethrone it in that category).
It comes in three drive configurations: front-wheel-drive, a fulltime active four-wheel-drive with lock mode (called Freedom Drive I), and a fulltime active 4-by-4 system with low range (Freedom Drive II) which gives it trail-rated status.
Get the optional off-road package for skid plates, tow hooks and one more inch of ground clearance -- this thing has the ability to plow through 19 inches of water.
Speaking of water, the Patriot’s active four-wheel-drive system is recommended to use every day to grip the rain-drenched South Florida roads.
Patriot power comes from a pair of inline four-cylinder engines. The base is a 2.0-liter that puts out 158 hp, probably the one to avoid since the Patriot is not exactly svelte at 3,100 pounds.
The better choice is the 2.4-liter version which gets up 172 horses, just a tad more than competitors Honda CR-V and Toytoa RAV-4. It reached around 20 in combined mileage during my test-drive week. With a 13.6-gallon tank, that means you’ll be stopping for gas with some frequency on a long haul.
Patriot grips the road well enough, but steering is on the soft side, not as crisp and heavy as I would expect.
But my biggest beef is the performance of the CVT (continuously variable transmission), the only automatic available. When asked for power, it will respond but not without some groaning and strain. One car website likened it to the feel of a slipping clutch. A five-speed manual is standard -- save some money and go with it (can’t get the trail-rated package with the standard tranny though).
The interior is simple and functional. Seats are comfortable, but leg room and foot room is tight in the rear for the larger among us and those with big feet.
The base comes in under $15,000 but it shows: It has vinyl seats, crank-up windows and no AC. The Patriot offers some cool extras, like a vinyl floor that is washable and removable. And a self-charging cargo lamp that is removable to use as a flashlight; and a front passenger seat that can fold forward to create a table-like surface.
Navigation system and nine-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system are available, too.
Safety features include traction control with brake assist, electronic roll mitigation and antilock brakes.
For Jeep lovers who don’t need the ruggedness of the Wrangler but don’t want cute -- and don’t need three rows of seats -- the basic Jeep is back. The Patriot is simple, boxy, basic. It looks like a Jeep and acts like a Jeep. No apologies.
Base Price: $14,985
As Tested: $20,215 (includes multifeature package with AC, power windows and locks
($2,350) and CVT ($1,050)