jeep
Families who have preyed for an SUV that boasts a flexible interior, outstanding performance, superb handling, excellent fuel economy all on a reasonable price tag, have just had their prayers answered as Jeep unveils its new Patriot this summer.
Two models will be on sale in the UK, the Patriot Sport and Patriot Limited, with a choice of either the VW- sourced 2.0 litre diesel mated to a six speed manual gearbox or a 2.4 petrol on a five speed manual with the Limited having the extra option of a CVT automatic.
The Patriot slots in price wise below the Jeep Compass and starts from just £15,995 for the 2.4 litre petrol Sport rising to £18,795 for either the 2.4 CVT or 2.0 diesel manual on the Limited trim. So plumping for the middle of the road spec, my test car happened to be the 2.0 CRD diesel manual mated to the Sport trim that stands in at a cool £16,995.
Unmistakably a Jeep, this all-new Patriot inherits the Jeep genes in its classic Jeep rugged styling from the robust bumper, round headlamps and Jeeps brand signature, the seven-slot grille. Add on the whopping 17x 6.5 aluminium wheels, black door handles, colour coded, power folding heated door mirrors along with the optional deep tint sunscreen glass and this new Patriot simply oozes defiance. Showing off its versatility is the lift gate door with a fixed glass panel and side roof rails.
Clambering aboard, and a truly spacious interior greets the occupants so much so, the children were adamant it was a seven seater, spending an age desperately trying to find the extra row of seats! Ah, bless them. The high access point along with drivers height adjustable seat gives a great command of the road ahead and as I settled in, the children still looking for those missing seats, I became familiar with the toys on board such as the CD player, air conditioning and electric windows. As the children were still at it, it dawned on me how flexible this Patriot is with loads of storage solutions including the a sliding centre armrest that moves 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers, and in the lid is a unique flip pocket for storing the phone or MP3 player. The passenger seat folds flat creating a table, the 60/40 spilt rear seats also fold flat and recline, the upholstery is an easy care soil repellent and anti- microbial textile that protects the seats from stains and odours my dog tends to alludes along with an Ultra Floor vinyl load floor in the rear cargo area that is removable and washable. Showing off its huge dimension thus the ability to accommodate any loads, there is a staggering 536 litre of space with the rear seats in place enough for a months shopping or the family holiday, that increases to 1277 litre with the rear seats folded flat and 1775 if the passenger seat is folded as well. The Patriot even comes with a dual-purpose self-recharging removable cargo lamp that can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight. OK I will admit, the children found that in their quest to find seats. Turn on the ignition and this beast bursts into action with that seductive deep-throated drone from the 2.0 CRD direct injection turbo diesel engine. Dispelling the myths that SUV’s are gas guzzlers and envoirmentally unfriendly, this engine on the Patriot, returns a massive 42.2 mpg on a combined cycle making it the most fuel efficient Jeep ever made, races from 0-62 in 11 seconds is EU4 compliant with CO2 emissions – wait for it – down at 180g/km. The Patriot comes with Freedom Drive1 4WD system which only engages four wheel drive when its needed on or off road thus giving owners the best of both worlds in terms of fuel efficiency on par with a conventional hatchback and the go-anywhere ability plus all year confidence appreciated with our unpredictable weather. The drive on this Patriot is exceptionally smooth and the underbody has been designed to meet the demanding durability requirements, while high strength steel reduces weight and improves performance. To create a quieter interior, sealer and sound absorbent material have been used.
The safety surrounding the Jeep Patriot is extremely assuring with advanced multistage front airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation, ESP and supplemental side curtain front rear airbags. Securing our precious Patriot is keyless entry, locking fuel cap, a premium security alarm, sentry key theft deterrent system and speed sensitive power locks thus they Patriot falls into insurance group 11E.
Wow, what a vehicle. Just like the men I like, the Patriot is tall, dark and very handsome with amazing agility, extremely versatile plus delivering a beautiful ride. But the best news is, the Jeep Patriot holds a secret unseen to the average busybody onlooker who tut tuts under their breath at the size therefore the damage to the environment this car will cause, it is so utterly environmentally friendly you simply cannot help but being proud and safe when you drive this vehicle. Jackie Violet - Female First