Jeep Patriot pricing announced
Sheesh, it's about time... Pricing on the Dodge Caliber-based Jeep Patriot has been announced, with the first Patriots rolling off the line in Belvedere set to arrive in dealerships around January 1. The news, which comes a little later than the fall launch plans Chrysler announced previously, finally satisfies those of us who have been eagerly awaiting the little ute's arrival since its launch at April's New York Auto Show. As promised, the Patriot starts at under 15 grand -- $14,958 including shipping, to be exact. The Patriot Limited 4x4 rings in at $23,530, still at the low end of its class in terms of price.
Sharing a platform with the Caliber and Jeep Compass means Patriot is available with the option of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), as well as DaimlerChrysler's 2.4L World Engine. Die hards need not be disappointed by the non-truck platform, however -- in the upper-level trims, the vehicle still comes "Trail Rated," complete with four-wheel-drive, tow hooks and skid plates, and its design hearkens back to the Cherokees of the 90s. No word on the nature of the marketing push yet, but Jeep should roll that out by the end of first quarter when dealerships are all stocked up.
[Source: Automotive News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jason t 8:52AM (12/14/2006)
even an optional "Trail Rated" awd model is no 4x4. a FWD Jeep is a damn disgrace and DCX should stab themselves in the eye for destroying an icon of a brand in less than a decade. the liberty was the begining of the end and this solidifies it.
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mavkato 9:05AM (12/14/2006)
Trail Rated is a marketing term created by Jeep, they could call a wheelbarrow full of bricks Trail Rated if they wanted to.
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Talis 9:08AM (12/14/2006)
What I want to know is why this costs LESS then a Wrangler. I will check back for insight on why the Wrangler costs up to almost 30K!!! (I checked at the dealer and that was the number on the sticker so please dont tell me I am wrong--I am not blind).
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Sam 9:09AM (12/14/2006)
I am a Jeep fan. My parents own 2 ('95 Grand Cherokee Laredo, '06 Liberty CRD Limited) and the fact is that the Jeep brand has not been destroyed. The Liberty has a low-range transfer case and real truck engines. Is it not a real Jeep because it has independent front suspension? The original Wagoneer of the 1960s had 4wd and an IFS. Plus, the Liberty has far superior highway stability to any old solid front axle Jeep I've driven.
You're probably bemoaning the loss of the XJ Cherokee, but face it, that antiquated thing would have been murdered by more refined but still offroadable SUVS (Xterra, etc)
The car-based Jeeps are not traditional Jeeps by any means, but they will steal Subaru, RAV4, & CR-V sales and enable Jeep to compete in a 4wd/AWD segment that it previously had no model in. Having both the Compass and the Patriot is duplicative. The Patriot actually looks like a real Jeep -- the Compass does not.
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Talis 9:09AM (12/14/2006)
PS--I also know that is with a lot of options, but still.
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Ken 9:16AM (12/14/2006)
Damn you, DCX!!!! Damn you to hell!!!
You fargin iceholes, sons of bastages! What do you think you're doing to Jeep? It's such short-sighted and short term thinking to believe this will help Jeep or DCX. Sure you might sell a few extra units this year or next, but when people realize how watered down and laughable the brand has become no one will want any of your vehicles except maybe the Wrangler.
I have a 1998 Cherokee that I would LOVE to replace with another comparable Jeep, but you refuse to make anything comparable. The Grand Cherokee is too nice and expensive to actually take off-road even if it is somewhat capable. The Liberty is a joke. (Ever see the video of the Liberty blowing its xfer case when it tried to go up a mild incline?)
Where is my Cherokee replacement?!?!?!? You sold many buttloads of Cherokees over almost 20 years. I can't be the only one waiting for a replacement! Build a worthy successor and people will buy it. Keep half-assing things and see how long you last.
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Jon F. 9:15AM (12/14/2006)
What's the difference between teh Compass and Patriot other than the Compass looks like total @$$ and the Patriot looks like a moderately better looking @$$?
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Ken 9:26AM (12/14/2006)
The Wrangler is more expensive than the Patriot because the Wrangler is actually built to go off-road and is 2-3 times the vehicle the Patriot/Compass is.
The Wrangler has much beefier components. Go to the Jeep site and read about the various 4x4 systems they have. Note which one are available on the Wrangler vs. those on the Patriot/Compass. Read about the suspensions and locking differentials. It should clear why the Wrangler costs more.
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Sam 9:38AM (12/14/2006)
#7:
The Liberty KJ uses the exact same transfer case as an XJ (NP242 Selec-Trac). Same part, same chance of failure.
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Michael Karesh 9:48AM (12/14/2006)
I've been saying since the auto show in January that the Patriot will be far more successful than the Compass. Guess we'll soon find out.
You can't accurately compare prices using just base prices, as equipment levels can differ greatly. I'd like to get prices for the Patriot into my database, to enable accurate price comparisons. But I need a full price list for this, not just a couple of base prices. If someone comes across a full list, please contact me:
http://www.truedelta.com/contact.php
Thanks.
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T.R. Andresen 10:16AM (12/14/2006)
My first Jeep was a 2005 Liberty. I traded the 2003 in with 178,000 miles on it for a 2005 Liberty. My new Liberty has 93,000 miles on it. Neither car has been back to the dealer with any problems. I have driven both vehicles off road. (traded the first one in with 2 front fender fleres in the back seat) I think it's remarkable that I have had no problems having driven over 270,000 miles!
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Ken 10:26AM (12/14/2006)
Sam,
I'm aware of the transfer cases in Jeeps. While both the NP242 & NV242 transfer cases are referred to as Selec-Trac, they are not the exact same design. There are actually 3 transfer cases that are called Selec-Trac. The NV242, the NP242, and a hybrid.
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mr 10:02AM (12/14/2006)
If it's equipped like the Compass (as it most probably is), the base price will exclude power windows, locks, and air conditioning. Air conditioning!
DCX has been decontenting vehicles to lower the base prices. Notice how the "as shown" price in the commercials is at least 50% higher than the "starting at" price?
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Scott 10:19AM (12/14/2006)
At least the Patriot looks like a Jeep. The Compass should be taken out back and shot, but aside from us enthusiasts who are in the know about things like FWD, AWD, IFS and the like, most Joe Schmoe's will only see a Jeep when they look at the Patriot. I do admit I think it's a travesty, but I'm also one who thinks IFS on Jeeps was a travesty (I own a 2001 Cherokee, the ride seems great to me). Oh well, time moves on and you can't stop change.
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mr 10:14AM (12/14/2006)
"The Wrangler is more expensive than the Patriot because the Wrangler is actually built to go off-road and is 2-3 times the vehicle the Patriot/Compass is."
Your reasoning doesn't account for the Wrangler's sudden increase in price in recent years.
The Wrangler's 1950's technology and materials make it extremely inexpensive to build. MSRP is high because DCX successfully markets it as a premium product, convincing folks that a vehicle that can go off-road is more desirable than one that gets 30 MPG,
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gary 10:35AM (12/14/2006)
#2 - this is what "Trail Rated" relates to.
http://www.natc-ht.com/Header.phtml?Page=V-TRCS.htm
Please do your research.
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Mike 11:50AM (12/14/2006)
I sell Chrysler-Jeep. (5 years)
The Wrangler actually costs less than the 2006 and before model but is far superior in room and ride.
The Compass is a good CAR that has some 4X4 capability.
Folks want good gas mileage and the vast majority will never go offroad.
The Compass has good power for a 4 cylinder but engine is quite noisey from a stop, but responds well at highway speeds.
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Ken 11:06AM (12/14/2006)
"Your reasoning doesn't account for the Wrangler's sudden increase in price in recent years.
The Wrangler's 1950's technology and materials make it extremely inexpensive to build. MSRP is high because DCX successfully markets it as a premium product, convincing folks that a vehicle that can go off-road is more desirable than one that gets 30 MPG,"
And your logic is what? That a Wrangler built on proven, solid technology to take the abuse off-roading dishes out should be less expensive than what...a Toyota Yaris just because the technology is old?
The Wrangler has been admittedly expensive for a while. But a lot of that expense is in the materials. Old technology does not mean cheap technology. The Dana44 and xfer case on a Wrangler is simply stronger/more capable than the comparable parts on a Compass. Stronger usually means more expensive even if the technology is older. The day the Patriot or Compass can out do a Wrangler off-road you will hands down will the argument that the Wrangler is overpriced. Until then it's a rather specious argument.
You'll get no argument from me, however about the fact that most people that buy Jeeps, SUVs, 4x4 trucks never take them offroad. That's not my problem, and they have the same right as anyone else to buy those vehicles. I don't think they should, but I'm glad you don't have the right to stop them.
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CJ 12:17PM (12/14/2006)
So..... why do they have two cars the same size on the same platform? Get rid of the Compass, it's an ugly piece of %*#. This one at least looks somewhat Jeepish rugged and "Trail-Rated". You guys do know they came up with the "Trail-Rated" designation so they could make wimpy non-"Trail-Rated" cars, right?
(Ken: "You fargin iceholes, sons of bastages!" love it!)
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Den in IN 12:48PM (12/14/2006)
Ken,
If you are looking for a Cherokee replacement try the 4 door extended Wrangler. I drove one the other day (got a free turkey!!) and its miles ahead of the old Cherokee in terms of noise and vibration control but still able to go as far off road as you could wish. Size and accomodations are pretty comparable I think.
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