Coming into the market with a sub $20,000 starting price makes the Patriot one of the least expensive models on the market and it’s a Jeep model which means it will certainly offer a great deal of awesome off road features to ensure its an SUV that you can enjoy on and off the road.  Although this lower model makes for a vehicle that can be built form the ground up because even at the base model the Patriot does not have air conditioning included.  Even though this is the most base model in the Jeep lineup the Patriot is still a strong competitor in its class.

As a budget friendly vehicle the Patriot offers a build and a design that is truly Jeep in style.  This includes a variety of new features that make the Patriot an even better vehicle than before.  For 2016 Jeep has dropped the Limited trim from the lineup to leave on the Sport and Latitude models.  The Bluetooth phone connectivity is now offered as standard fare and the Sport Se package adds more features than ever before.  Even though this is an aging model, the Patriot makes for a great deal of amazing driving on and off the road for you to fall in love with this vehicle.

When you start at the bottom of the pricing structure with this vehicle you get an SUV that carries a price tag of only $18,000.  Moving up the trim levels will let you have a better equipped model that will be somewhere in the $20,000 range and the Latitude model with a High Altitude package can come in at a little over $30,000 to give you a Jeep Patriot that is full of great features for you to love and utilize.

Looking at the base model, the standard equipment is extremely stripped down and does not even include air conditioning.  What you do get is cruise control, a four-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input and the hands free phone connectivity.  Moving up to the Latitude will bring you the creature comforts you want from a standard offering which includes air conditioning, power windows and locks along with heated front seats, a power outlet, keyless entry and automatic headlights.  With these features the Patriot becomes an SUV that is easy to love and enjoy and gives you a great base to build upon.

For the optional features you will be able to enjoy the Freedom Drive 4WD system to use.  Getting the Sport model you can add power windows and air conditioning.  the Sport Se package adds a leather trimmed steering wheel with built in audio controls, heated front seats and 17-inch wheels.   Moving up to the Latitude will add an infotainment system with a navigation system and a 6.5-inch screen.  The High Altitude model adds a leather interior, power driver’s seat and a sunroof.  For 2015 a rearview camera is now offered as an option to give you a model that is feature filled.

When inside the cabin of the Patriot the look and feel is of a rugged off road vehicle that has a few comforts inside to be enjoyed.  There are lots of hard plastic surfaces and as one of the least expensive SUVs on the market this should be understood.  These surfaces will make for easy clean up on the inside of the SUV and will make it much easier for you to feel like you can push your Patriot to the limit.  With plenty of space inside this SUV you can have five seated comfortably for the ride.

When you look at the outside of the Patriot you see the distinct Jeep characteristics.  Even though there is word the Patriot and the Renegade will be replaced by another model soon, for this year you can still enjoy the sharp squared off lines of the Patriot that feature the seven slot grill up front and the rounded headlights.  Sitting on a set of sixteen –inch wheels that are massively built to be a great look for your Jeep you can see the toughness and off road desire for this SUV.  Add a few skidplates to the underside and you have the protection you need from nature so that you can enjoy driving out in nature with your Patriot.

When you look to the power of the vehicle the base model engine is a 2.0-iter inline four-cylinder engine that comes in with 158 horsepower and 141 lb.-ft. of torque.  This engine is attached to either a five-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission.  The fuel mileage you will enjoy a 23 city/30 hwy mpg for the FWD manual and 22 city/26 hwy mpg for the FWD with the CVT installed.  This will give you a Jeep you can enjoy driving everyday on the roads and certainly take off road for some light trail riding.

The more powerful engine offering is a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that shows up with 172 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque.  This engine is attached to either a five speed manual, six-speed automatic or CVT automatic transmission.  This gives a fuel mileage that ranges from the 20 city/23 hwy mpg for the 4WD CVT with the off road package on up to the 23 city/29 hwy mpg for the FWD with the manual transmission.  This allows you to have the driving feeling you want and with the 4WD added you can head to some cool off road locations.

Generally the Jeep lineup offers a long list of off road capable vehicles that are short on comfort.  the Patriot does have some comfort bits, but certainly is a Trail-Rated SUV to enjoy you can enjoy the ride when you head off the paved roads.  Because Jeep wants you and the vehicle to make it home safe they have added a wide variety of great features to ensure you can enjoy a great drive on and off the roads around you.  If you are looking for an inexpensive option for your SUV you certainly can enjoy a Jeep for a great price and have a lot of fun out in the wilderness.