What is it? 2007 Jeep Patriot

EDMUNDS INSIDE AUTO NEWS - - What's special about it? What do water balloons, Eva Mendes and Jeep have in common? Until this year's New York auto show, absolutely nothing. Then Jeep trotted out the actress during its press conference to "christen" the new Jeep Patriot with water balloons. It was as lame as it sounds, but you can't blame Jeep for trying to drum up a little drama for its new compact SUV. The Patriot isn't exactly going to be an easy sell.

You see, unlike every other Jeep before it, the Patriot isn't a hard-core off-road machine. In fact, it shares most of its major hardware with the Dodge Caliber hatchback. Base Patriots are front-wheel drive, have no low-range gearing and are otherwise built for the street. All-wheel drive, dubbed Freedom Drive I, is optional, but it works like most compact SUVs by engaging the rear wheels when the front tires slip.

Like the Caliber, the Patriot uses a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine rated to produce 172 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission comes standard or you can opt for a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that Jeeps says gets 6-8-percent better mileage than a traditional four-speed automatic.

In order to shore up its credentials as a true Jeep, the Patriot is also offered with the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package. This is for Patriot buyers who actually want to do some serious off-roading. It includes the standard all-wheel-drive system but adds a continuously variable transaxle that gives the Patriot on-demand low-range gearing. The package also adds Hill Descent Control, off-road antilock brakes, 17-inch wheels and tires, skid plates and tow hooks. Patriots with the off-road package also sit 1 inch higher than the standard models.

Since Jeep knows most buyers will spend most of their time sitting in traffic, the interior of the Patriot was loaded with practical features. It has standard side airbags, a 60/40-split rear bench seat that folds flat and a vinyl floor in the cargo area that can be washed out with a hose. There's an auxiliary input jack for the standard CD stereo as well as an optional Boston Acoustics audio system. Additional options include a 115-volt AC outlet, a fold-flat front-passenger seat and a navigation system.

On the outside the Patriot is about the size of a Ford Escape, but on the inside it offers more head- and legroom than the Ford. Cargo room is a little tight, however, as the Patriot maxes out at 54.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, considerably less than most compact SUVs.

One area where the Patriot won't get beat by the competition is price. Although Jeep officials didn't announce specific numbers, they did say it would start below the Jeep Compass which has an official base price of $15,985. So it may not be as capable as most Jeeps, but at least the Patriot will be dirt cheap.

What's Edmunds' take?
Although most people who buy Jeeps never go off-road, it's the idea that they could that counts. The Patriot may appeal to some on price, but it's going to be tough for Jeep to convince the faithful that it's trail-worthy. — Ed Hellwig

Photo Credit: http://www.getrammed.com/images/jeep07.patroit1500.jpg