2017 Jeep Patriot Review
2017 Jeep Patriot Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review

byCameron Rogers
Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).
Pros
- Optional flip-down tailgate speakers
- Above-average off-road capability with Freedom Drive II
- Attractively priced
Cons
- Unrefined and sluggish base engine that's paired to a droning CVT
- Steering wheel doesn't telescope
- Subpar crash test scores
- Unsophisticated ride quality when going over bumps
- minimal cargo space
What’s new
With a replacement likely coming next year, the Jeep Patriot carries forward unchanged for 2017.
Vehicle overview
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Jeep Patriot Sport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.23 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$154/mo
Patriot Sport
vs
$177/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
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.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
You might be attracted to the 2017 Jeep Patriot because of its low price. But there's not much else about the Patriot to make it worthy of your consideration, especially because an all-new model is likely just around the corner.
Driving
The 2017 Jeep Patriot is painfully slow with the 2.0-liter engine, and even the 2.4-liter models move like molasses when equipped with Freedom Drive II and the soul-sucking CVT. This would be somewhat forgivable if the Patriot were great on gas. It is not. Nor is either engine refined, with the smaller one particularly troubled by the dreaded NVH trio (noise, vibration and harshness). The six-speed automatic is the Patriot's saving grace, lifting the 2.4-liter engine's performance to class-competitive levels despite sometimes slow shifts.
On paved surfaces, the Patriot allows an abundance of wind and tire noise into the cabin. The trend these days is toward quietness at speed, even among value-priced vehicles, but this Jeep is a throwback. Ride quality is similarly unimpressive, as the Patriot's suspension struggles with broken pavement, making for a jittery drive over urban streets. Handling is adequate under normal circumstances, aided by the Patriot's compact footprint, but you'll notice plenty of body roll if you enter a corner with any kind of speed. As for the off-road experience, the Freedom Drive II setup moves the Patriot significantly beyond Freedom Drive I's conventional all-wheel drive — but as noted, it's also slow and thirsty.
Interior
The Patriot's interior has been tweaked over the years, but it's still one of the most basic you'll find, with cheap, hard plastics covering most surfaces and a tilt-only steering wheel that can compromise driver comfort. The Sport model is the worst offender because of its lack of standard power accessories and air-conditioning, but even the Limited's layout looks and feels more like that of an economy car than a competitive crossover. On the bright side, the front seats are pretty comfortable, providing satisfactory support for long stints in the saddle. Rear passengers won't be as pleased, however, because legroom is tight and the bottom cushion sits low, largely negating the benefits of the Latitude's reclining rear seatbacks.
The Patriot's primary gauges make a good first impression with their large, easy-to-read font, and the straightforward, generally ergonomic controls are consistent with Jeep's no-nonsense heritage. The optional 6.5-inch touchscreen is outdated, though; the 8.4-inch system used in other Jeep models is vastly superior. As ever, the Patriot provides optional flip-down liftgate speakers that'll help get the party started.
Cargo capacity is another potential weak spot. The 23 cubic feet of space behind the rear seatbacks isn't totally shameful, and folding down the rear seatbacks opens up 53.5 cubic feet of maximum stowage. That's about what you'll get from subcompact crossovers such as the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 but much less than bigger models such as the CR-V and CX-5.
2017 Jeep Patriot models
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.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 Jeep Patriot.
5 star(40%)
4 star(23%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(20%)
35 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
A Tough Little Jeep
Jerry, 04/10/2017
2017 Jeep Patriot Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
We have owned the Patriot for over a year. Having last owned a Grand Cherokee, the Patriot does not ride as smooth or quiet, but it is satisfactory. Handling and braking are superb. The 2.4 liter has plenty of power for passing. Mileage is consistently around 26 mpg. Being FWD/4X4 makes for great traction on snow and ice in the mountains where live (elevation 3,000'). Our big dogs fit … comfortably in the back. We are about to endeavor in full-time motor home travel with the Patriot as a "toad". At 3,600# it is just right for towing on a dolly and should give us great service for all climates and terrain. The six speed/manual transmission allows for downshifting on mountain roads without excessive braking as the "flat-landers" tend to do. So far, no issues to complain about. For the money, the Patriot is a good buy.
4 out of 5 stars
Holding up better than expected (touch wood)
Christy Oslund, 01/11/2017
2017 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
Update 2: 4 years with this 6 year old Jeep (it is a 2015, not 2017). We took the Jeep out to camp this summer with my parents, who are older. Their more comfortable, easier to get in and out of imported van has been having mechanical door problems (the model is noted for this we've since learned.) Jeep remains less comfortable, more reliable. Unhappy that Jeep has stopped production on … the Patriot because it was their most reliable vehicle.
Update 1: I've now had this Jeep several years. Bought during a winter where we regularly received 6 inches overnight and plow trucks were leaving my former car stuck in my driveway every morning. The Jeep has handled these conditions admirably; under the worst conditions the 4 wheel drive adds an element of grip and helps get up and down steep, poorly cleared streets.
I've always driven 'practical' vs. plush vehicles, so from my point of view, this is a comfortable vehicle to drive. My first with heated, leather seats and honestly - I love them. So why not a 5 star rating? The driver's door often creaks on opening and I do have some concerns about how this will hold up long term. My need to get over rough roads and living with extreme winters though, made the clearance and 4 wheel capacity of the Jeep more important. Sure, if I was going to spend at least another ten to twenty thousand, I could buy a vehicle that was equally good on rough roads and more likely to hold up better over time. I'd rather spend a lot less up front, and re-evaluate my needs in four or five years, by which time car technology will have taken a few more steps.
5 out of 5 stars
2nd Patriot, even better than the first!
Banjo, 06/05/2017
2017 Jeep Patriot Sport SE 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
This is my second Patriot, after owning a FWD 2012 Altitude Ed. with the CVT. I can definitely say the 6spd unit is an improvement in every way. Worth every penny getting a 4x4 over a FWD. Gas mileage is only slightly less, but I drive mostly highway so I barely notice a diff at all. It may not be the quietest on the hwy, but I don't think it is all that much louder than my Acura … trade-in was. Rides very well on city streets with the Goodyear Wranglers, especially given the ohio road conditions. Uconnect is pretty basic, but gets the job done. There is something to be said for no distracting screens in a car these days. I test drove this back to back with the new renegade expecting the renegade to crush it, but I actually much preferred the look and feel of the Pat. Looking forward to many more years of enjoyment. The Sport SE package has every thing I wanted, and nothing I didn't - perfect bang for your buck. Out the door for under 20k on a brand new Jeep 4x4 is too good to pass up.
**6 month update**
Still loving my Pat. I have put over 12k on it since June and have had zero issues. Decent highway cruiser, and averaging about 26 mpg with my mostly highway commute. Has survived a couple big ikea trips and can haul most anything in the back. Forgot how comfortable the front seats were, and the storage nooks are great for phone/wallet etc. Definitely recommend upgrading the headlight bulbs and speakers, but both of those take about 15 minutes to do, super simple. Looking forward to many more miles and having some fun in the snow this winter.
4 out of 5 stars
It's a Jeep
mpearson, 05/11/2017
2017 Jeep Patriot Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
The main criticism I see from professional reviews is the outdated styling and recommend the more updated Jeep Renegade. If you don't like the more old-school boxy Jeep look and you prefer something that looks like a high top gym shoe, then get the Renegade ;-) . Otherwise, I love the straight-forward basic look, function, and feel. As much as I love having all the fancy bells and … whistles on a SUV, I just see as more stuff to break further down the road. I haven't had the vehicle for that long so I can't comment on it's reliability just yet. I do recommend the 2.4L engine over the 2.0L for a that little extra oomph. Patriots/Compasses don't have the greatest acceleration. Not bad but not great. This is supposed to be the last year for the Patriot. If that's true, dealerships will probably be offering nice discounts to clear out their remaining stock.
2017 Patriot Highlights
Sport
- Combined MPG
- 25 MPG
- Cost to Drive
- $154/month
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- front wheel drive
- Engine Type
- Gas
- Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall3 / 5Driver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover21.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestGood
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
More about the 2017 Jeep Patriot
Used 2017 Jeep Patriot Overview
The Used 2017 Jeep Patriot is offered in the following submodels: Patriot SUV. Available styles include Sport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M), Latitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 6A), Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 5M), High Altitude Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 6A), High Altitude Edition 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT), Latitude 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M), Sport SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT), Sport SE 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 6A), 75th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A), and 75th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 6A). Pre-owned Jeep Patriot models are available with a 2.0 L-liter gas engine or a 2.4 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 172 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2017 Jeep Patriot comes with front wheel drive, and four wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed manual, 6-speed shiftable automatic.
What's a good price on a Used 2017 Jeep Patriot?
Price comparisons for Used 2017 Jeep Patriot trim styles:
- The Used 2017 Jeep Patriot Sport is priced between $13,700 and$22,000 with odometer readings between 12603 and118666 miles.
- The Used 2017 Jeep Patriot Latitude is priced between $13,890 and$19,990 with odometer readings between 45374 and95267 miles.
- The Used 2017 Jeep Patriot Sport SE is priced between $18,998 and$20,000 with odometer readings between 51923 and77550 miles.
- The Used 2017 Jeep Patriot High Altitude Edition is priced between $20,998 and$20,998 with odometer readings between 45660 and45660 miles.
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Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Jeep Patriot for sale near. There are currently 35 used and CPO 2017 Patriots listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $13,700 and mileage as low as 12603 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2017 Jeep Patriot.
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Should I lease or buy a 2017 Jeep Patriot?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Jeep lease specials
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