Going & Stopping

The Liberty may have gotten all-new sheet metal and a different interior, but its engine is exactly the same. The 210-horsepower V-6 is completely adequate, especially at highway cruising speeds. It takes time to charge off the line, but you expect that in a 4,220-pound four-wheel-drive SUV. On inclines, you can take your foot off the brake without rolling backward or forward, which is helpful on road and off. Highway passing, which is one of the more important performance aspects, was adequate.

Braking was responsive — not grippy in the least and very intuitive. Brakes aren't normally a Jeep strong suit, but here they are definitely above-average.

    See also:

    Washing
    • Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your vehicle in the shade using MOPAR Car Wash or a mild car wash soap, and rinse the panels completely with clear water. • If insects, tar, or ot ...

    Outside Air Intake
    Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, and if they enter the plenum, ...

    Ride & Handling
    Compact crossovers may be car-based, but they don't ride like cars. With this in mind, the Patriot's ride quality is decent — better than the firm-riding Honda CR-V, but not close to the Ford Es ...