The Jeep Patriot has been around for a while. It’s almost as old as the Jeep Compass, which is to say that it’s not exactly a new or exciting model for the brand. But in an industry that seems to be moving toward crossover SUVs rather than traditional body-on-frame small SUVs, the Patriot has hung on by its fingernails. In its sixth generation now, the Patriot has retained much of its original formula. It’s still fairly affordable, offers respectable fuel economy, and puts an emphasis on off-road ability. The new version is more refined but also more basic than some of Jeep’s other models. While it might not excite many customers, there is a market for this kind of vehicle, and we know there will be plenty of people who will want one when they go on sale later this year.
2019 Jeep Patriot Overview
The 2019 Jeep Patriot gets a mild refresh that includes new exterior styling, new interior styling, and the addition of a new engine. The styling changes are subtle, but the Patriot now has a more modern appearance that lines up with the rest of the Jeep lineup. The interior has gotten some updates, though it still remains fairly sparse. The engine has been moved from the normal 2.0-liter four-cylinder to a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which produces 168 horsepower and 177 foot-pounds of torque. The 2019 Patriot also has the added bonus of starting below $20,000, making it one of the most affordable crossover SUVs on the market. The Patriot is still a traditional body-on-frame SUV, meaning that it has a separate frame that houses the engine and the drivetrain. That keeps the ride quality more rugged than would be found in a car-based crossover SUV. It also allows Jeep to heavily promote the Patriot’s off-road capabilities.
New Looks, Same Old Game
The 2019 Jeep Patriot gets a mild exterior styling refresh that brings it in line with the rest of the Jeep lineup. Up front, it has the new trapezoidal grille that’s found on other models, as well as new headlights and new LED fog lights. The rear gets a new bumper and redesigned taillights, and there are new wheels for every model. The interior also gets a few updates, including a new steering wheel, a new instrument cluster, and a new infotainment system. The materials don’t feel particularly high-end, but they’re certainly an improvement over the previous Patriot’s interior. At the same time, though, it’s hard to get excited about the interior, which is sparse and basic.
Interior and Tech
The 2019 Jeep Patriot has a utilitarian and sparse interior that’s designed for function over form. There are a few different materials, but overall it’s a pretty basic and budget-minded design. There are two different seats offered, and both are pretty basic cloth seats. The materials are also low-end, but they are durable and easy to clean. The interior also includes some plastic components, which is unfortunate in a Jeep. The new infotainment system is controlled by a rotary dial, which can be annoying to use. It’s a small thing, but the Patriot’s interior is otherwise easy to navigate. Some other interior tech includes a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, USB ports, an auxiliary audio jack, and satellite radio.
Engine Options
The 2019 Jeep Patriot comes with a single engine, a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 168 horsepower and 177 foot-pounds of torque. That engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a nine-speed automatic transmission. The EPA estimates that the Patriot will get 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, which is pretty good for a rugged SUV like this. The Patriot’s engine is likely to be pretty reliable, as it’s similar to the engine found in the Cherokee. However, it’s not a very refined engine, and it doesn’t offer any oomph. It’s a good engine for everyday driving, but it’s nothing special.
Off-Road Capabilities
The 2019 Jeep Patriot is a body-on-frame SUV. That means that it’s not a crossover like a CR-V or a RAV4 but rather a rugged SUV that has a separate frame that houses the engine and the drivetrain. The frame is what allows the Patriot to offer a more rugged and capable off-road experience than a car-based crossover SUV. That being said, the Patriot isn’t exactly an off-road king. It comes with a four-wheel-drive system that’s designed for everyday use, not for extreme off-roading. It has a low-range transfer case, sure, but it’s not as rugged as the systems on the Wrangler. It’s a good everyday SUV for people who don’t do extreme off-roading, but it’s certainly not the most capable Jeep model.
Our Review
The 2019 Jeep Patriot is a vehicle that’s hard to get excited about. It’s not a bad SUV by any means, but it’s very basic, and it doesn’t really excite many people. It will appeal to people who want a rugged SUV that’s more affordable than a Wrangler or a Cherokee, but it’s not for people who want a luxury vehicle. There are some good things about the Patriot, like its good off-road capability and competitive price. However, it’s not a vehicle that will have people rushing to buy them. It’s a good SUV for people who want an affordable and capable SUV but don’t want to buy a Jeep Wrangler.