2017 Jeep Patriot

We're just going to get this out of the way right now: Time has not been kind to the Jeep Patriot. It debuted for the 2007 model year and has carried on without a full redesign ever since. A decade later, the 2017 Patriot's plasticky interior, rough ride quality and intrusive road noise are throwbacks to those troubled DaimerChrysler days. It's a similar theme under its hood where neither of the available four-cylinder engines is a standout for performance or fuel economy. If you order the Freedom Drive II package (which gives the Patriot some light off-road ability, one of its few major selling points), for example, you're looking at a rather unimpressive EPA combined rating of 21 mpg. Some competing models get closer to 30 mpg.

Simply put, the Patriot isn't for those shoppers who want a modern interior, class-leading fuel economy, a relaxed ride or the latest in-car tech. But it does have a few benefits. As mentioned above, the Patriot will handle off-road obstacles better than competitors when equipped with Freedom Drive II. It's also inexpensive, potentially undercutting other small crossover SUVs by thousands of dollars when purchased new. Tempering that, however, is that fact that the base Sport does without some features most people have come to take for granted, such as power accessories and air-conditioning, and will likely need to be added as options.

We recommend many competitors if you're in the market for a small SUV. Jeep's own Renegade is a more stylish and modern alternative, and you can still go off the beaten path effectively in the Trailhawk version. If keeping your crossover on the road is more your scene, check out the 2017 Honda HR-V, which boasts a large cargo area and excellent fuel economy. We also like the 2017 Mazda CX-3 for its blend of sporty handling and impressive cabin materials. These vehicles might end up costing you a little more up front than the Patriot. But as the old saw goes, you get what you pay for.

The front-wheel-drive Sport and Latitude trims come standard with antilock brakes that include front discs and rear drums. All Patriots with Freedom Drive I or Freedom Drive II get disc brakes front and rear. Traction and stability control are standard regardless, as are front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.

In Edmunds brake testing, the Patriot came to a stop from 60 mph in 121 feet, an average distance for this class.

In government crash testing, the Patriot received four stars (out of a possible five) for overall protection, with five stars for side protection and a rather alarming three-star rating for front impacts. More scoring comes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which gave the Patriot its highest rating of Good in the moderate-overlap front-impact, side-impact, roof strength and head restraint (whiplash protection) tests. But the IIHS downgraded the Patriot to the worst score of Poor in the small-overlap front-impact test.

The 2017 Jeep Patriot is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV. It is available in Sport and Latitude trim levels. There are several notable sub-trims: The Sport has two appearance-related packages called the Sport SE and 75th Anniversary Edition, while the Latitude can be had in a High Altitude Edition.

The Sport has standard equipment that matches its modest price, comprising 16-inch steel wheels, roof rails, foglights, manual exterior mirrors, crank-down windows, manual locks, cruise control, cloth upholstery, tinted rear windows, a tilt-only steering wheel, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth connectivity, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, a USB port and an auxiliary audio jack.

The Sport SE package adds 17-inch gray-painted alloy wheels, gloss-gray exterior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls, heated front seats, upgraded cloth and vinyl upholstery, increased ride height for front-wheel-drive models and tow hooks for all-wheel-drive models.

The 75th Anniversary package includes 17-inch bronze-painted alloy wheels, bronze exterior accents, remote engine start, a sunroof, mesh upholstery and a cargo cover.

Stand-alone options for the Patriot Sport include air-conditioning, black steel or alloy wheels, and an upgraded stereo with a six-CD changer. The optional Power Value Group adds upgraded exterior trim, power accessories (windows, locks and mirrors), heated mirrors, remote keyless entry and automatic headlights.

The Latitude comes with all of the features of the Sport with the Power Value Group, plus air-conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls, a height-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, reclining rear seatbacks and a 115-volt power outlet.

A few options packages are available on the Patriot Latitude. The Premium Sound Group adds nine Boston Acoustics speakers, including two that flip down from the tailgate. The Sun and Sound Group includes those features and a sunroof. The Security and Cargo Convenience Group includes a cargo cover, adjustable roof-rack crossbars and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Finally, the High Altitude package consists of unique 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, a sunroof, leather upholstery and a power driver seat (with manual lumbar adjustment).

A few packages are also available for both trims. The All-Weather Capability Group for 4WD models adds an engine-block heater, daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, tow hooks and all-season floor mats. The Trailer-Tow Prep Group (2.4-liter engine only) includes a trailer wiring harness, an oil cooler and a full-size spare. The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group (also 2.4-liter engine only) consists of the Trailer-Tow Prep Group plus an upgraded CVT with a low-range 4WD mode, skid plates, hill descent control, hill start assist, tow hooks, a height-adjustable driver seat, and body sealing to allow the Patriot to ford greater water depths.

An 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system is optional. For the Latitude, it can also be ordered with a navigation system. A rearview camera can also be ordered with the touchscreen.

The 2017 Patriot's base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque. It can only be had with front-wheel drive. The uplevel engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated at 172 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque; it's available on front-wheel-drive Patriots and required with all-wheel drive (Freedom Drive I or Freedom Drive II).

A five-speed manual is the default transmission for both engines. The optional automatic for the 2.0-liter Patriot is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that functions like a traditional automatic, while the 2.4-liter engine is offered with a six-speed conventional automatic. The exception to this rule is the Freedom Drive II off-road package, which combines the 2.4-liter with a unique CVT that features low-range gearing.

Fuel economy varies depending on which powertrain setup you get. None are all that fuel-efficient, though. For example, you're looking at 24 mpg combined (22 city/26 highway) with the 2.0-liter engine and the CVT or 23 mpg combined with the bigger 2.4-liter engine and front-wheel drive and the six-speed automatic. That drops to 21 mpg when you get the Freedom Drive II's CVT.

In Edmunds performance testing, a Patriot with Freedom Drive I and the six-speed automatic went from zero to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, which is comparable to a Honda HR-V (9.7 seconds) or Jeep's own Renegade 2.4 (9.4 seconds). However, a Patriot with Freedom Drive II chugged to 60 mph in 10.3 seconds, a disappointing number considering how poor the fuel economy is with this package.

Properly equipped, the Patriot can tow up to 2,000 pounds.