2011 Jeep Patriot Latitude Sport Utility 4-Door 2.4L

Detailed item info Model OverviewThe Patriot shares much of its mechanical components with both the Jeep Compass and the Dodge Caliber. including a layout that's much more car-like than any of Jeep's larger models. With a MacPherson strut front suspension and rear multi-link setup. quick-ratio rack-and-pinion steering and a very manageable 174 inches of total length. the Patriot is very maneuverable. With either of the Patriot's two 4-cylinder engine offerings under the hood. the Patriot is reasonably energetic on the road while also returning decent fuel economy. The base front-wheel-drive models can be equipped with a 158-horsepower. 2. 0L 4-cylinder engine. but also available. as well as standard on the rest of the lineup. is a 172-hp. 2. 4L four cylinder. No matter which engine-- the 2. 0L and 2. 4L -- it comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or to a continuously variable automatic transmission. The combination of the 2. 4-liter engine and 5-speed manual returns the best fuel economy. of 23 mpg city. 28 mpg highway. Although the Patriot is the most car-like Jeep. it doesn't forget about its off-road roots. Three different drivetrain configurations are offered: front-wheel drive. Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II. Freedom Drive I is an active all-wheel drive system that sends more power to the rear wheels when it's needed for traction; it also has a Lock mode for deep snow or mud. For those who plan to do occasional off-roading. there's the Freedom II Off-Road Package. which brings a 19:1 low range gearing for the CVT. plus skid plates. a full-size spare. all-terrain tires. tow hooks. fog lamps and an engine oil cooler. With the package. the Patriot sits an inch higher than the other models. for a full nine inches of ground clearance. plus 19-inch water fording capability and better approach/departure angles than many more truck-like SUVs. Brake Traction Control and Hill Descent Control assist with steep. slippery slopes off-road. while all Patriots come with electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. including a rough-road mode for the ABS. The Patriot's very boxy exterior helps provide an extremely roomy. useful interior. The front seats have a more car-like position than Jeep's other models. but they command a good view of the road. Seating is also comfortable in back. with adequate legroom and plenty of headroom. though there's barely enough width to fit three adults across; up-level models get a reclining seatback. For cargo versatility. the back seats fold forward flat and increase the dimensions of the remarkably convenient. box-shaped cargo area. The front passenger seat can also fold all the way forward to act as a table or to make room for especially long cargo. Base and Latitude trims are offered with either front- or 4-wheel drive. The base model includes all the safety equipment but is otherwise very basic--manual wind-up windows are standard--but it does include air conditioning. a rear defroster and a 4-speaker CD sound system. Latitude models make a huge jump and pile on the comforts like heated leather seats. cruise control. keyless entry. an auxiliary power outlet and an upgraded sound system--in addition to 4-wheel disc brakes and alloy wheels. The Patriot has a wider range of options than is expected from a vehicle that starts at well under $20. 00. An especially noteworthy option is the 'UConnect tunes' system. which includes a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storage of music and pictures; the system can read CDs. DVDs or USB memory sticks. Another system called 'UConnect GPS. optional only on the Latitude. includes a hands-free phone interface and voice-activated commands. plus real-time traffic information for the navigation system.