Patriot in the Market
There's a lot to like about the Patriot. Even after you adjust the price to add the missing basic features — air conditioning, power windows, locks and side mirrors, etc. — it's pretty reasonably priced. As for its place in the market, this brand with ostensible SUV credibility is coming to this segment awfully late. At least a newfound interest in fuel economy is in its favor, particularly for a capable off-roader, most of which are heavy-duty and inefficient. That the Patriot can't tackle the toughest trails is irrelevant; knowing that one could go off-road has been more than enough to satisfy many an SUV buyer over the years. Authenticity — real or inferred — sells.
I was baffled that Jeep was building two models so similar in size and price off this platform. As it turns out, it's a good thing they did. The Compass itself is baffling enough. Before either came out, industry analysts and other random smarty pantses pondered if a lighter-duty model with Jeep's first-ever application of front-wheel drive would hurt the brand. The answer is no. A poorly executed model — of any configuration — would. Now at least buyers have an alternative.
See also:
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when starting a vehicle from
a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain the level of brake pressure the driver applied
for a short period of time after the ...
Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped
If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks, they are mounted in the front and
the rear.
NOTE: For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use both of the front tow
hooks to minimize the risk of d ...
Overview
Nearly 18 years ago, Jeep invented the premium SUV segment with the
introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. More than 4 million sales later, Jeep
improves the formula and hits the sweet spot of r ...


