I want a Jeep!

Jeeps Jeeps Jeeps!

Powered by Genesis

2008 Jeep Patriot, Looks Alot Like the 1996 Jeep Cherokee

I was reading the review of the 2008 Jeep Patriot over at The Car Connection. While it is a much smaller vehicle, since it is based on the Jeep Compass and Dodge Nitro platforms, it looks a lot like the old Jeep Cherokee.

The DaimlerChrysler division was unduly slow to respond to shifting market trends, until recently ignoring the addition of third-row seating, as well as low-cost crossover vehicles. But with the impending launch of the new Patriot, Jeep is wrapping up the most aggressive product offensive in its history, one that more than doubles its lineup, giving potential buyers seven separate models to choose from.

If your first glimpse of the new Patriot triggers a mild sense of déjà vu, that’s no surprise. The new compact SUV has a lot in common with its fraternal twin, the Jeep Compass, which launched last year. Both are based off the same, small-utility platform, (which they share with a third product, the Dodge Caliber), and are produced, side by side, at the automaker’s assembly plant in Belvedere, Illinois.

Where the softer, more feminine look of Compass underscored its cute-ute-ness, Patriot is decidedly more angular and rugged-looking, visually closer to traditional Jeeps like the Liberty and Wrangler, an intentional move meant to imply its “trail-rated” heritage.

In fact, the Patriot straddles the line between soft-roader and full SUV. The reality is that less than one in ten sport-ute owners will ever steer onto anything rougher than a gravel road. So for them, there’s the basic version of the Patriot, Dubbed Freedom Drive 1, available in either 4×2 or 4×4 configuration and starting at an extremely competitive $14,985 (which includes destination charges).

This should be a fairly popular seller for Jeep. At least I hope it is. You can get a basic Patriot which is a basic compact 4×2 SUV, or you can go a full on Trail Rated edition. While I’m sure it’s nothing like my Wrangler Rubicon, it’s still a Jeep. And that’s better than nothing.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Jeeps

  • Cherokee
  • CJ
  • Commander
  • Compass
  • concept
  • Concept Cars
  • FC
  • hurricance
  • liberty
  • Patriot
  • TJ
  • willys
  • Wrangler

Recent Comments

  • Timothy Turner on Jeep Wrangler YJ Wiring Diagram
  • David P McKinnon on Jeep Wrangler YJ Wiring Diagram
  • James Thomas on Dangerous Tendency in the Off-road World
  • Heather Miller on Jeep Wrangler YJ Wiring Diagram
  • Robert Wall on Jeep Wrangler YJ Wiring Diagram

Archives

  • August 2012
  • June 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • September 2010
  • July 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • April 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • November 2005
  • October 2005