Autoblog

2014 Jeep Compass/Patriot sing their swan songs with a six-speed automatic

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:07:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Crossover, Jeep, Off-Road

Unless the governor, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, gives them a reprieve, the 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot are expected to meet their makers sometime next year. Should they perish, it's a shame that it would happen just as they've shed the continuously variable transmission that was their major bugbear, and just as the Compass has gotten its best looks yet.

Both will roll with a proper six-speed automatic transmission, courtesy of PowerTech. Noise-resistant gears and tuning by Chrysler boffins should alleviate the unappealing sounds that were given off by the older CVT. Unless, that is, you choose to have either model equipped with Freedom Drive II; the serious off-road package, available on both baby Jeeps, will still come with the CVT. The base transmission on the entry-level Sport trim remains the five-speed manual.

Otherwise, it's minor changes for the Compass, set off by the new 18-inch wheel option, trim pieces around the car and a back-up camera. The Patriot gets seat-mounted airbags, but is carryover otherwise. With their expected demises perhaps a year away, not much has changed otherwise. Engine choices comprise the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque or the 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 172 hp and 165 lb-ft.

Admire them in the high-res galleries before they disappear - whenever that is - and read all about them in the press release below.

Continue reading 2014 Jeep Compass/Patriot sing their swan songs with a six-speed automatic

2014 Jeep Compass/Patriot sing their swan songs with a six-speed automatic originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot get available PowerTech six-speed auto, modest changes

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Crossover, Jeep, Off-Road

The 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot are here, and as expected, the big news is the availability of a six-speed automatic transmission on certain models. The transmission, sourced from PowerTech (a subsidiary of Hyundai) will attempt to address the noise, vibration and harshness issues suffered by older CVT-equipped models by using noise-resistant gears. It has a long sixth gear to improve fuel economy, but Jeep hasn't revealed the mileage numbers for the auto-equipped models yet.

The new automatic will be available as an option on the Sport trim of both spec, and as standard on Latitude and Limited models. It can be had in front-wheel-drive versions or those equipped with the optional Freedom Drive I. It can't be specified with the Freedom Drive II, however, the full-time four-wheel-drive package with a low-range gear sticks with the unloved CVT2L Continuously Variable Transmission.

With their expected demises perhaps a year away, not much has changed otherwise. Engines are either the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque or the 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 172 hp and 165 lb-ft, and the five-speed manual transaxle is still in the mix.

The Compass gets a catalog's worth of shiny trim pieces to mark its last year, including plated upper grille trim with a "mold-in-color Billet Silver grille texture," new headlight, fog light and taillight inner bezel treatments for the various trims, painted mirror caps, optional new 18-inch wheels for the Limited and an available backup camera. Inside are new trim options on the Latitude like a sport mesh and vinyl seat, and on the Limited, trims like Saddle Brown perforated leather seating. The Patriot gets no changes other than the addition of front seat-mounted airbags.

The price of the Patriot hasn't changed, sticking with an MSRP of $15,995 (plus $995 destination). The press release below doesn't mention the price of the Compass, so don't be shocked if it gets goosed a bit from the $19,495 MSRP of the 2013 model.

Stay tuned for live shots from the floor of the Detroit Auto Show later today. The two updated baby Jeeps will be in showrooms the second quarter of this year, and there's plenty of reading to be done in the official announcement below.

Continue reading 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot get available PowerTech six-speed auto, modest changes

2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot get available PowerTech six-speed auto, modest changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2014 Jeep Patriot and Compass ditch CVT for six-speed auto

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Jeep

It was reported in Automotive News a few months ago, but a new report on Allpar.com adds some details to news that the 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot will get a six-speed automatic to replace the CVTs they currently use. According to a tip provided to Allpar, the 2014 models will begin production in March and be on sale sometime in the summer. The Jatco-sourced CVT in use until now - Jatco is owned by Nissan and Mitsubishi - has been often criticized, and many won't be sad to see it go.

The incoming six-speed automatic is said to be an all-wheel-drive cog-swapper that's the work of Hyundai and Magna and has been paired with the DynaMax AWD system used in the Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage. It won't be the only Chrysler product using a transmission with ties to Hyundai: the six-speed automatic in the Dodge Dart comes from Powertech, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hyundai. With the Patriot and Compass said to be driving down the trail for the last time this year, it will be a short run for the new tranny and the rumored addition of a backup camera and power rear liftgate on the Compass.

2014 Jeep Patriot and Compass ditch CVT for six-speed auto originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments