Feeling like a modern, but not as rugged incarnation of the classic '80s and '90s Jeep Cherokee, the Jeep Patriot is a simple crossover that makes a decent budget choice. It may look like the boxy, truck-like Cherokee of yore, but the Jeep Patriot is a very different animal. It's dated up against rivals—including the latest Cherokee and the pint-sized Renegade parked across the Jeep showroom—but the Patriot may be worth a look if value is one of your main priorities.
Pros Boxy exterior reminds us of the old Cherokee (in a good way) Pint-size dimensions are great in town Decent off road Strong value
Cons Interior is tight and dated Surprisingly mediocre fuel economy Awful CVT Lack of safety technology
The 2017 Jeep Patriot ranks 18 out of 18 Compact SUVs. If you're looking for a budget-friendly SUV that you can take off road, the 2017 Jeep Patriot is one of the more affordable choices. However, if you spend most of your time on-road, other compact SUVs will serve you better in terms of reliability, comfort, and safety.
Pros Skilled off road with available four-wheel drive Rugged, easy-to-clean cabin
Cons Few standard and available features Interior materials look cheap Engines are sluggish and thirsty Boorish optional CVT
You might be attracted to the 2017 Jeep Patriot because of its low price. But there's not much else about the Patriot to make it worthy of your consideration, especially because an all-new model is likely just around the corner.With a replacement likely coming next year, the Jeep Patriot carries forward unchanged for 2017.
Pros Optional flip-down tailgate speakers Above-average off-road capability with Freedom Drive II Attractively priced.
Cons Unrefined and sluggish base engine that's paired to a droning CVT Steering wheel doesn't telescope Subpar crash test scores Unsophisticated ride quality when going over bumps Minimal cargo space Chintzy cabin materials.
The redesigned 2017 Jeep Compass is much improved over its predecessor. It's a good choice if you want a comfortable and affordable crossover SUV that can still handle a dirt road.Jeep produced its previous-generation model for the first part of the model year and then switched over to the fully redesigned Compass. The first one suffers from poor performance, a low-quality interior and a rough ride, among other faults. We don't recommend buying the "old" Compass. The new Jeep Compass, however, is a much more competitive small crossover. Jeep made the new Compass more comfortable and enjoyable to drive on the street, where it knows that owners will spend most of their time.
Pros Solid interior space for such a small vehicle Highly capable off-road for a small crossover Rugged Jeep styling is unique in the segment
Cons Weak power delivery; you're always dipping into the throttle Hard to find a truly comfortable seat position Previous model's poor performance, ride comfort and refinement
Forget what you knew about the old Jeep Compass; this latest model is thoroughly modern, even if it doesn't exactly move the bar far forward in its segment.In its first generation, it went down in history as one of the most unloved crossovers on the road from day one. But that's the past and, aside from its badge, the Jeep Compass is all-new for 2017.
Likes Old Compass? Put out to pasture No more CVT Trailhawk toughness Mini Grand Cherokee looks inside and out Comfortable ride quality and good handling
Dislikes Priced like a larger crossover Narrow inside High cargo area liftover Mediocre visibility Could use more power
The Renegade is more Wrangler-focused, with lots of right angles and round headlights, whereas the Compass is clearly taking styling cues from the Grand Cherokee, so it’s more sleek and progressive.Indeed, you could argue the new Compass’s design looks more traditionally “Cherokee” than the current small Cherokee does. Dimensionally, the Compass has been engineered to fill a relatively narrow space in between the Renegade and Cherokee.The new Compass is a global vehicle.
Pros Crisply styled, off-road capable, nimble handling
Cons Lethargic transmission response, touchy brakes