The Jeep Patriot may be the less interesting of the two concepts Jeep unveiled today, but it's probably the one that's most likely to see the inside of a production plant. It's got all the Jeep design cues on a small "cute-ute" SUV package. The Jeep look makes it look a little more macho, though, and we bet the off-road brand is seriously considering producing a vehicle like this to slot below the Liberty that's more comfortable than a four-door Wrangler. Jeep says in its press release that it could produce the Patriot, as well as the Compass, as soon as next year if it wants to. Both vehicles would be powered by an all new 2.4L World Engine and a 2.0L diesel for international markets, as well as be available with CVT transmissions.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Geoff @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
Rejoice! They've brought back the Cherokee!
n8 @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
Nope. That's no Cherokee. Where's my Rescue?
Doogs @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
That rear view makes it look vaguely like a Honda Pilot.
/No Cherokee, indeed
//two solid axles short...
jon @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
These are NOT concepts. This is the real deal to be produced early 2006. I personally am excited to see all the new products from Jeep. I will always buy Jeep and now I have many choices.
Geoff @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
I meant that it looks like the Cherokee, not that it IS an updated Cherokee...
Doogs @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
Understand what you're saying, Geoff.
Its just that I'd rather have it do more than just look like the Cherokee.
As it stands, its a gussied up Ford Escape.
igottabigone @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
It is actually a pretty nice vehicle. I think that it is about time that Jeep decided to expand its brand. Too bad it is coming a little late. I think that the SUV bubble is over. I have to agree...it looks like an updated version of the Cherokee.
Kickboy @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
As a Cherokee owner I am excited. Yes this is probably going to be under-powered compared to the Cherokee, but with gas prices over 3 bucks I could give a improved 4 banger a closer look.
The Liberty never did it for me, I tried to like it, I really did. But the final straw was the swing-out tail gate that replaced the cherokee's liftgate. Anything longer than the Liberty's cargo area either went out the back window, or did not go at all. Kinda took some of the Utility out of it.
Joseph Willemssen @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
Talk about being late to the party...
Sid Ghosh @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
Wait...what's it's position in relation to the Liberty?
Geoff @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
Doogs - I know what you mean.
But Jeep really only makes (or should only make) SUV type vehicles, and with customers looking for fuel efficiency, a small SUV makes sense. I don't do any offroading, but if it can get me through the crappy New England winters, I'd be interested.
CJ @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
Nobady is going to bring BACK two solid axles...
And where exactly does this fit in relation to the Liberty?
Bone @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
This is a both a snoozer and a mistake in my opinion. Despite what I think of the Compass (you'll find my blather there) it is a much more honest presentation of a Jeep on this platform than this, which looks like its trying to fool you into thinking its just as capable as any other Jeep. Aren't we past the whole fake off-road thing? At least the Compass makes it quite clear from that outset that this is a different type of Jeep.
The name annoys me too, but that may be just residue of having just experienced once again, the hyper-jingoistic double-speak marketing of calling September 11, "Patriot Day". But you kind of expect that from Jeep.
md @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
i really am having trouble understanding what jeep is doing with this model. The compass is a rally style car, thats a great new frontier for jeep, but the compass also covers the crossover slot pretty well. I don't see any differential pumpkins hanging down on this which alludes to me that it is not a capable vehicle. Why? the liberty is not that small and there are a lot of current and former XJ owners who would love a new rendition of the cherokee. Jeep already proved you can build a trully capable unibody SUV with the cherokee, why can't they do it again. the compass fills the Fake SUV slot, why do they need two?
"Aren't we past the whole fake off-road thing?"
I don't think so, not just yet. Look at the highlander, escape, CRV, Rav4, Tucson, equinox, et al. manufacturers are bringing out crossovers in droves, unwisely in my opinion, as SUVs are becoming less and less fashionable for the keeping up with the jones crowd.
Greg @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
Like some comments above, I don't see this as being much different than a Liberty. Isn't a Liberty small enough? I see a lot of overlap, even in the exterior styling. If I didnt know better, I would say its the next gen Liberty. Just like I would the Chevy HHR is the next PT Cruiser if I was the average consumer.
I do understand the trend toward lots of smaller suvs and crossovers hitting the scene with gas prices the way they are and I don't know if I agree with the demand for SUVs being done. I see in the focus groups we do that there is plenty of demand for smaller/midsize suvs simply because of everything they can do - functiionality, cargo space, being able to see over cars on the freeway, etc..
Check out the online automotive consumer research panel at http://www.vehiclevoice.com for more auto related info.
George Richards @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
To my knowledge,one can not buy a new diesel auto in NY State. I hear that over 50% of such vehicles are diesel in Europe Where gasoline prices are higher than ours. Also ,that they have low sulfur diesel over there and we do not. Something wrong here! Jay Leno wrote an article favoring diesels several years ago.
Klunk Letter @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
With the debate Cherokee v Liberty v god know what else, answer one question. What are the demensions of the Patriot going to be? If I am reading the Caliber's correctly--and this is based off the Caliber's platform, it is a little longer with a slighter longer wheelbase than a Cherokee.
4 banger--or diesel--at nearly $3.00/gal sounds good to me. I'll still have Ol'Faithful, my dependable Cherokee, to have fun with on weekends.
Carlo @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
These are the specs on the Patriot (from http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/prototype,view,Jeep.spy?artid=48786&pg=4).
Body Type: 5-door SUV
Layout: front-engine, AWD
Engine: 170-hp, 2.4L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4
Opt. Engine: 134-hp, 2.0L 16-valve DOHC I-4 turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-spd manual (optional CVT)
Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,411 / 1,756 / 1,667 / 2,635 mm (173.7 / 69.1 / 65.6 / 103.7 in)
Brakes (estimated): disc/disc, ABS
Wheels / Tires: 17 x 6.5 inch alloy / 235/65R17
If you look at the length, width, height and wheelbase numbers, they're all just a little bit bigger than the original Cherokee numbers.
(http://www.edmunds.com/used/2001/jeep/cherokee/100001359/specs.html?tid=edmunds.u.prices.leftsidenav..6.Jeep*)
and just a little bit smaller than the Liberty's numbers
(http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/jeep/liberty/100552557/specs.html?tid=edmunds.n.researchlanding.leftsidenav..8.Jeep*)
The only problem is whereas the original Cherokee was a 3350# vehicle, the Liberty is already at 3900#s and the Patriot will probably be somewhere in between (say 3700-3800#s) and with the DC 2.4L I-4 being used in the Wrangler right now putting out only 147HP and 165 Lb/ft, it'll probably suck from a performance point of view...
Why can't Jeep just make another XJ and be done with it? I know at least 30-35 XJ owners that will never buy a Liberty and are keeping their XJs alive in the vain hope that Jeep will ever make another one.
And no, something based on a compact car is not a Cherokee replacement... at least keep the weight around 3700#s, put a solid axle in the back and put a I6 or a V6 in it... then we might be talking... Jeep could easily get a small pickup platform from the DC inventory (old dakota would have been fine, maybe the new one is too big) and then convert it just like GM did with the H3.
km @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
well it looks like what the liberty should have looked like to replace the xj...but can it wheel?..can it tow?
just proves jeep realized they totally screwed up dropping the cherokee...heres the 2nd reincarnation if it..(commander was 1st)
Bobby @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
LISTEN up XJ fans, the only thing we can do is wait and see if this thing holds up on the trail as well as a classic Cherokee...Looking at the photos and reading about all the "new Jeep 4x4 technology", I believe it MAY have some potential to revive the old hero(XJ)! Jeep made the worst mistake ever imaginable with the extremely lame attempt to replace the old Cherokee with that "plastic-looking Liberty"! I think what has happened is that people working with Jeep have heard LOTS of people say exactly what I've just said about the XJ and Liberty. No one liked the Liberty because it was a fake Jeep. It just couldn't keep up with the XJ out in the mud and over the rocks! So now, hearing all the horrible complaints coming from just about everyone, Jeep has decided they must do something - so they build the Patriot. Those of you who loved the XJ for its rugged trail capabilities(like myself) are just going to have to stick around and give Chrysler another chance to fix their horrible error of dropping the Jeep Cherokee in 2001!