2017 Jeep Patriot Review

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.