Without being too unkind to the Patriot, it is a bit of a sheep in wolf’s clothing. It’s got the looks of a serious towcar but doesn’t quite deliver all that’s promised. Full-time all-wheel drive provides plenty of traction even when taking off on a severe hillclimb, and it’s mostly stable at speed. But you have to work it hard and the ride is hard with an uncomfortable pitching motion.
The six-speed gearbox has a long action and top gear is too high for towing, but the ’box is pleasant enough to use. Towball height appeared a little high when solo but there was sufficient give in the suspension to create a level connection with hitched to a caravan. Better than average stowage space and socket access.
| Caravan weight |
Noseweight limit |
Drive |
Cyls/CC |
bhp@rpm |
lb/ft@rpm |
CO2 g/km |
Ins group |
Price |
Tested |
|
1,398kg |
75kg |
AWD |
4/1968 |
138@ 4000 |
229@1750 |
180 |
11E |
£17,459 |
2008 |
Jeep Patriot 2.0 CRD Sport
