Pricing: 2007 Jeep Patriot

[Variance]

Pricing: 2007 Jeep Patriot

Chrysler Group today announced that the U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for its all-new 2007 Jeep® Patriot is $14,985 (including $560 destination). The Jeep Patriot is a classic-styled Jeep that delivers best-in-class capability, 30 miles per gallon (mpg) fuel economy, safety and interior flexibility.

"With Patriot, Jeep continues to expand globally by offering a fun-to- drive, fuel-efficient and affordably priced Jeep vehicle designed to appeal to youthful customers and people with active lifestyles who may have always wanted a Jeep vehicle but, until now, may not have been able to afford one," said George Murphy, Senior Vice President-Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. "Patriot has all the credibility and cachet of the Jeep brand at a very affordable price."

Jeep Patriot will compete in the compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment, which is expected to grow considerably in the next decade, giving the Jeep brand the opportunity to grow with it. Annual compact SUV volume in the United States for the 2005 calendar year was 368,000 units, up from 297,000 units in 2004. The compact SUV segment is expected to almost double to approximately 600,000 units by 2010 and almost triple to more than 814,000 units by 2016.

The 2007 Jeep Patriot Sport and Jeep Patriot Limited models became available in U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2006 and will be available in global volume markets in both left- and right-hand drive starting in the first half of 2007.

Most Capable Vehicle in its Class

Jeep Patriot is available in three drive-train configurations. In addition to the standard front-wheel-drive system, Jeep Patriot also is available with Freedom Drive I and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package.

Freedom Drive I is an available full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with Lock mode designed to give drivers year-round assurance with the ability to handle rough weather and low-traction conditions. This active four-wheel- drive system is recommended for daily use, including slick conditions that come with rain and light snow. Freedom Drive I also features a lockable center coupling, giving drivers the ability to put the Jeep Patriot in four-wheel- drive Lock mode when navigating deep snow, sand and other low-traction surfaces. The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is an available four-wheel-drive system that makes the 2007 Jeep Patriot a Trail Rated 4x4, creating the most capable vehicle in the crowded compact SUV class.

The Freedom Drive II Off- Road Package includes a second-generation continuously variable transaxle with low range (CVT2L) that engages when the off-road mode is activated, 17-inch all-terrain tires and aluminum wheels, a full-size spare tire, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and manual seat height adjuster. The available Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is recommended for moderate off-road situations that include steep grades, occasional wheel lift and moderate rock or log climbing.

All-new Jeep technology includes the CVT2L's best-in-class 19.1:1 low ratio, which is ideal for crawling over obstacles. Off-road Brake Traction Control maintains forward mobility during heavy articulation or on split- friction surfaces where one wheel loses traction. Hill-descent Control modulates brake hydraulic pressure without driver intervention, providing downhill assistance at a safe and controlled rate of speed. Three-mode ESP and off-road anti-lock brakes (ABS) also add to the Patriot's inherent off-road capability.

The Trail Rated Jeep Patriot sits 1 inch higher than non-Trail Rated versions and meets Jeep off-road capability requirements for traction, water fording, articulation, maneuverability and ground clearance, including 9 inches of ground clearance, a 29.6-degree approach angle, a 34.2-degree departure angle and a 23.3-degree breakover angle. This version of the Patriot also has additional body sealing and high-mounted drivetrain vents to support 19-inch water fording capability. In fact, the body and chassis of the Jeep Patriot with the Freedom Drive II Off-road Group were developed and tested over numerous rugged off-road terrains to meet the requirements of the enthusiast Jeep customer.

All Jeep Patriot models available in the United States include standard Brake Traction Control, driver-controlled three-mode ESP, Brake Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation and anti-lock brakes with rough-road detection.

Expanding the Lineup

Jeep Patriot is the gateway to the Jeep brand globally, priced less than Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Liberty. The newest Jeep vehicle on the market is available in Jeep Patriot Sport and Jeep Patriot Limited models. Both are available in the United States with a 4x2 front-wheel drive system, a Freedom Drive I 4x4 system and a Freedom Drive II Off-road Package.

The Jeep Patriot Sport has a starting U.S. MSRP of $14,985. The U.S. MSRP for the Jeep Patriot Sport with the available Freedom Drive I 4x4 system is $16,735. The U.S. MSRP for the Jeep Patriot Sport equipped with the available Freedom Drive II Off-road Package is $19,175. All prices include $560 destination.

The Jeep Patriot Limited 4x2 model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $19,985. A Jeep Patriot Limited with the Freedom Drive I 4x4 system has a starting U.S. MSRP of $21,735. The Jeep Patriot Limited equipped with the Freedom Drive II Off-road Package has a starting U.S. MSRP of $23,530. All prices include $560 destination.

Jeep Patriot Sport

With a starting U.S. MSRP of $14,985, the Jeep Patriot Sport is a 4x2 model that includes a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine coupled with a five-speed manual transaxle. Other standard equipment includes side- curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Brake Traction Control, Electronic Roll Mitigation, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, Sentry Key theft-deterrent system, Vinyl Tech seats, rear 60/40 fold-flat seat, Ultra Floor vinyl load floor, fold-flat load floor storage, AM/FM single-disc CD radio with an auxiliary audio input jack, outdoor temperature display, rear defroster, variable intermittent windshield wipers, 12-volt power outlet, manual windows, locks and foldaway mirrors, tilt steering wheel, dome and cargo lights, rear window defroster and a center console sliding armrest that moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The armrest lid features a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player.

On the exterior, the Jeep Patriot Sport features a standard body-color grille and fascias, accent-color bodyside molding, black door handles, accent- color liftgate applique, black side roof rails, 16-inch styled steel wheels and all-season tires.

Optional features on Jeep Patriot Sport include a second-generation continuously variable transmission (CVT2), four-wheel-drive capability, through either Freedom Drive I or the Freedom Drive II Off-road Package (which includes CVT2L with low range, a full-size spare tire, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps, cabin air filtration system and manual seat height adjuster), front-seat-mounted side air bags to supplement standard side-curtain air bags, premium cloth low-back bucket seats with YES Essentials® premium seat fabric, air conditioning, engine block heater, AM/FM radio with six-disc CD player and MP3 CD play capability, deep-tinted sunscreen glass, Tire and Wheel Group (which is required with Freedom Drive II and includes 17-inch all- terrain OWL tires and aluminum wheels), Power Equipment Group, (which includes power windows with driver one-touch down feature, power fold-away mirrors, remote keyless entry and speed-sensitive power locks) and a 458-watt nine- speaker Premium Sound Group (which includes six Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer and amplifier and two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate.) When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for tailgating and other activities. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder World Engine coupled with CVT2 also is available on front-wheel- drive Jeep Patriot Sport models.

An available Special Equipment Group on the Jeep Patriot Sport model includes air conditioning, deep-tinted sunscreen glass, map and dome reading lamps, removable/rechargeable interior cargo lamp, 115-volt auxiliary power outlet and passenger assist handles, a recline features for standard 60/40 rear seats and a Power Equipment Group (which includes power windows with a driver's one-touch down feature, speed-sensitive power locks, power fold-away exterior mirrors and remote keyless entry). The U.S. MSRP for the Jeep Compass Sport 4x2 with this Special Equipment Group is $17,335. The Jeep Compass Sport 4x4 with this Special Equipment Group has a U.S. MSRP $19,085. Both prices include $560 destination.

Available options with Jeep Patriot Sport models with this Special Equipment Group, beyond those available on the Jeep Patriot Sport model, include a Premium Steering Wheel Group (which includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering-wheel audio controls and speed control), heated cloth seats, fog lamps, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a Popular Equipment Group (which includes a soft tonneau cover, cross bars, automatic-dimming rear-view mirror, Electronic Vehicle Information Center, Universal Garage Door Opener, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and security alarm) and a Trailer Tow Prep Group (which includes engine oil cooler and trailer tow wiring harness).

Jeep Patriot Limited

With a starting U.S. MSRP of $19,985, the standard Jeep Patriot Limited is a 4x2 model that features a 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine coupled with a standard five-speed manual transaxle. An optional CVT2 or an optional CVT2L also are available on the Jeep Patriot Limited. The U.S. MSRP for the Jeep Patriot Limited with the Freedom Drive I is $21,735. The U.S. MSRP for the Jeep Patriot Limited with the Freedom Drive II Off-road Package is $23,530. Both prices include $560 destination.

In addition to the standard equipment on the Jeep Patriot Sport model and the Jeep Sport model with the Special Equipment Group, the Jeep Patriot Limited model features premium leather-trimmed bucket seats, heated front seats, driver's seat manual lumbar adjuster, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, speed control, soft-tonneau cover, security alarm and roof rack with cross bars.

On the exterior, the Jeep Patriot Limited model has body-color fascias with bright silver appliqués, body-color bodyside moldings, fog lamps, 17-inch aluminum wheels and all-season touring tires.

Beyond the options offered on the Jeep Patriot Sport, additional options on the Limited model include a power express open/close sunroof, UConnect Hands-free Communication System, navigation system, removable ash tray and cigar lighter and a Driver Convenience Group (which includes an automatic- dimming rearview mirror, Electronic Vehicle Information Center, Universal Garage Door Opener and Tire Pressure Monitoring System).

Production of the all-new 2007 Jeep Patriot will begin at the Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant in the fourth quarter of 2006. Chrysler Group launched a second production shift at the Belvidere facility in March, which doubled the plant's production capacity, and began building all-new Jeep Compass models in May of this year. The addition of the second shift raised total employment at the facility from 1,650 to 2,650 employees.

2007 Jeep Patriot Pricing (All prices include $560 destination.)

4x2 Freedom Drive I 4x4 Freedom Drive II 4x4

Jeep Patriot Sport $14,985 $16,735 $19,175

Jeep Patriot Limited $19,985 $21,735 $23,530

[source: Chrysler Group]

[caddycruiser]

Well, at least it doesn't come off as bizarre like the Compass can. Problem is, it still has the less than stellar DCX 4-cyl/CVT combo, and if all holds true, a level of overall tactile quality equal to a generic Lego box. All of which are big reasons the Compass, looks aside, isn't doing well.

Plus I just don't get having essentially the same vehicle, but with 2 completely different looks, sitting side by side on the same lot. On one hand, it gives the buyer more choice, but when neither is particularly outstanding in any way, it's just a bigger sea of mediocrity.

That's my pessimism for the day...we'll just have to wait and see how it does--maybe the truckier look alone will be its saving grace.

[big blue]

Surprised how cheap the base Patriot is. Although it does lack power locks/mirrors it's still nice to see SUVs that cheap. I've been waiting for the Patriot's pricing to come out. Since it so obviously shares its exterior DNA with the old Cherokee, I think it looks great.

The interior is functional but it does look cheap, however I would definitely consider this if I were in the market for compact SUVs. The Patriot, next gen Vue and possibly CR-V would be on my list. Although I like the CR-V's interior and function, the front end is going to take a lot of time to get used to.

If only I could get the Patriot trail rated version...

Edited December 13, 2006 by big blue

[FAPTurbo]

...a level of overall tactile quality equal to a generic Lego box. 

227368[/snapback]

I'm a former Lego maniac, and by comparing Chrysler products to Lego, you have sullied the name of this great toy brand.

I believe an apology is in order.

[Flybrian]

I feel the Patriot can get away with cheapness more than the Compass can. Remember, the Compass is designed for the hip, discerning urbanite who likes to bounce his Jeep on the New York streets. I find the lack of power windows in a base Compass to be pathetic.

[big blue]

Heh my friend has a Vibe w/o power locks or mirrors or cruise control. I guess if he didn't have that car I'd be more critical. Vibe ain't a bad car for what it is though. Decent storage capacity and good gas mileage.

[Northstar]

The quality is bad, but the price is so cheap that I think they'll sell a lot regardless.

[caddycruiser]

I'm a former Lego maniac, and by comparing Chrysler products to Lego, you have sullied the name of this great toy brand.

I believe an apology is in order. 

227375[/snapback]

It wasn't worded completely correctly, but notice I said GENERIC. Think of the dollar store knock-off version...that was what I meant, in a round about sort of way.

Like I said, the much more normal looks of this vehicle might help it do well where the Compass hasn't, even if it has the same gutless 4-cyl/CVT and cheap construction. Kind of like a modern day Cherokee, but softcore.

Then again, the next Liberty is set to debut with body lines almost identical to the Patriot, so even though it's very different underneath, that'll be yet more confusion on Jeep lots. Going back to the basic 2-box idea in a big way.