When Jeep first launched the Patriot I was none too sure about it. After all, it’s based on the Dodge Caliber, and although I love the value for money aspect of that vehicle, I couldn’t quite fathom a Jeep version of it. Aren’t Jeeps supposed to be rugged, go-anywhere types of vehicles? Would you call a Dodge Caliber with 4WD one of those?

Well, I’m ready to eat my words and take back everything that I have said about the Patriot in the past, because after spending a week in one, I totally get it.

Lightweight Jeep!

Yes, the Patriot might be the lightweight of the Jeep lineup, but it’s no stick in the mud wuss. During the week, I ventured out onto the odd cottage trail and was quite impressed with the vehicle. In fact, I even took a little tour off the trail once or twice, but don’t mention that to the guys at Jeep!

Now whilst you might not wish to tackle the Rubicon Trail in one, the Jeep Patriot can certainly handle what most owners will want to throw at it. You don’t exactly need a lifted Jeep Wrangler with swamp tires to get to most cottages. If you do, then let’s not fool ourselves that it’s a cottage retreat you own, it’s what is known to the rest of us as a shack in the middle of hell and beyond :-)

Ground clearance and tires are really the only things which stop you from going deeper into the bush with the Patriot, but then again, how does the old saying go...All four wheel drive enables you to do, is to get stuck even further in!

Most buyers will be more than happy with the off-road prowess of the Patriot, and they’ll be happy with its on-road qualities too, because it’s a lovely little vehicle to drive. In fact, as an everyday runaround, I’d welcome one in my driveway.

The Patriot is a decent size without being a large SUV. It will carry five adult sized people in comfort and appears to have been built fairly tough. In fact, the roof rack fitted to my tester was one of the most robust I’ve ever seen on a vehicle like this. You could almost swing from it.