The 2009 Jeep Patriot is a step forward
The Jeep Patriot seems to have it all: gas mileage, offroad capabilities, reasonable pep, and a lifetime warranty, with numerous interior features. Sales have, though, been slower than one would expect during these frugal, gas-sipping days. The factory that makes the Patriot, Compass, and Caliber is still on limited capacity. Hopefully, customers will give the Patriot another look now that the Patriot’s gotten an interior workover; the “bulky look” is gone now, replaced by more curves and better-looking materials. We won’t be able to report on personal impressions for a while yet - we do have them! - but we can tell you just from the pictures that this is a much better interior than the current Patriot has. Pay particular attention to the treatment of the glove compartment; the blocky look is gone and textures seem to have been fixed, with chrome accents relieving the plastic. Overall, everything is still in roughly the same place - it’s clear that this was no “unlimited budget” or “from scratch” makeover - but the details have been cleverly reworked for a massive improvement.
You may wonder how we can release this photo (and more at our Jeep Patriot page). First, the details we have on the Patriot were leaked to us before we were bound by the media embargo; second, Chrysler has violated its own embargo with brochures and actual cars showing up at dealerships just a tad early. Is there really a point to our withholding photography when you can go to a Jeep dealer and see the real thing? We sure hope not, because we don’t want them to be mad at us again!
Very well done. This interior, plus better mpg than CRV and a lower price– definitely worth a second look for small SUV buyers.
Hopefully those kind of improvements will find there way into Sebring / Avenger.
Much better! Keep it up, Chrysler!
It looks like a good step forward.
I just wonder why they didn’t update the Caliber at the same time.
I really really like the new dash. I guess I will have to go down to the local dealer here in a few days and look at one. I hope the Sebring/Avenger and the Compass/Caliber get an improvement too! If so, those cars will probably be boughten by many family members of mine!
WAY TO GO CHRYSLER!
Much, much better, no doubt…..
Certainly Chrysler is on track with it’s new offerings, but my question is - will they finally start to do some worthwhile advertising to sell the darned things? Chrysler has been noticeably silent to date about all of its technology, particularly in television ads. I personally would love to hear about cylinder deactivation, or VVT technology; etc. in a TV commercial.
What about comparing fuel economy between the Aspen Hybrids and other full size SUV’s instead of body panels blowing in the wind,(Sebring commercial). What a stinker that was! No wonder nobody bought one.
This dash should have been in the Patriot in the first place. My friend’s mother was looking to trade in her early 2000’s Liberty last year and was interested in the Patriot. However, they took one look at the interior and were turned off.
This is a HUGE improvement. Something like this should have been done in the Caliber as well since all three (Patriot, Compass, Caliber) have nearly identical dashes. You spend all of your time inside the car, not outside looking at it.